Best Soccer Medals & Top Soccer Medal Companies for Teams and Leagues

If you’re organizing a soccer league, tournament, or end-of-season banquet, medals are one of those purchases that actually matter to the players who receive them. A well-made soccer medal gets displayed on a shelf, pinned to a bulletin board, or kept in a drawer for years. A cheap one ends up in the trash. This guide breaks down what to look for when buying soccer medals, highlights some of the best options available right now, and identifies the companies worth ordering from.

What Makes a Good Soccer Medal Worth Buying

Not all medals are created equal, and the difference between a forgettable participation ribbon and something players actually value comes down to a few key factors. Weight is the first thing people notice when they pick up a medal. Die-cast zinc alloy medals have a satisfying heft that cheap stamped metal simply doesn’t replicate. The finish matters too  antique gold, antique silver, and antique bronze finishes tend to age better and look more distinguished than shiny plated options that wear off quickly.

Size is another consideration that often gets overlooked. A 1 3/4″ medal is fine for a young recreational league, but for a competitive tournament or an older age group, stepping up to a 2 1/4″ or 2 1/2″ medal makes a noticeable visual difference. It signals that the event was worth commemorating. For top finishers or MVP-type awards, some organizers pair medals with trophies or plaques to make the recognition feel more substantial.

Customization is where most of the value gets added. An engraved medal with the player’s name, team name, year, and event creates a keepsake. A generic ribbon medal with no identifying information is quickly forgotten. Look for companies that offer custom engraving, custom neck ribbons, and even custom die-cast medals for larger orders.

Key Buying Factors for Soccer Medals

Material and Finish

Die-cast zinc alloy is the industry standard for quality medals. The antique finishes  bronze, silver, and gold  give medals a classic, earned look rather than something that resembles costume jewelry. If you’re ordering for a high-visibility event like a regional or state tournament, it’s worth spending a bit more to get the finish right.

Turnaround Time

Many leagues finalize their awards orders last minute. Make sure the company you order from can realistically hit your event date. Some suppliers offer rush production, which is worth asking about upfront rather than discovering at checkout. Local or regional award companies often have a real advantage here over large national fulfillment operations.

Customization Options

At minimum, you want a company that can engrave the back of the medal. Better options include custom neck ribbons printed with your team or event name, and full custom die-cast medals for larger orders where a generic soccer design won’t cut it. Engraving services are a standard add-on, so always factor that cost in when comparing prices.

Budget

For recreational leagues buying in bulk, per-medal cost adds up fast. Budget-friendly medals in the $4 to $6 range are entirely viable for participation awards. For first, second, and third place finishers  or for MVP and all-tournament selections  spending more on a larger, heavier medal is worth it. Mixing medal tiers within the same event is a common and cost-effective strategy.

Order Volume

Most award companies offer volume discounts. If you’re ordering for an entire league with multiple divisions, get quotes based on total quantity rather than ordering division by division. It can significantly reduce per-unit cost.

Soccer Medal Options Worth Considering

The following medals come from Viking Awards and represent a solid cross-section of what’s available  from entry-level participation medals to more premium options suited for competitive play.

1 3/4″ Antique Gold Soccer Shooting Star Medal

A reliable entry-level medal for youth leagues and recreational play. The shooting star design has a classic look, and the antique gold finish gives it a more refined appearance than standard bright finishes. Available at a very accessible per-unit price, making it practical for high-volume orders. View this medal at Viking Awards.

1 3/4″ Antique Silver Soccer Shooting Star Medal

The silver variant of the same design, ideal for second-place finishers or as an alternative to gold for leagues that want a uniform look across all divisions. The antique finish ages well and photographs nicely for social media posts and league announcements. View this medal at Viking Awards.

1 3/4″ Antique Bronze Soccer Shooting Star Medal

Complete the podium set with the bronze version. Ordering all three finishes in the shooting star design gives your event a cohesive, professional look without overcomplicating the order. Great for small tournaments where you want distinct recognition for top-three finishers. View this medal at Viking Awards.

2 1/2″ Antique Gold Soccer Shooting Star Medal

The larger format of the same gold design. This is a noticeably more substantial medal  the kind that gets hung up and kept rather than tossed in a bag. For competitive leagues, older age groups, or any event where you want first-place recognition to feel genuinely earned, this size is the better choice. View this medal at Viking Awards.

2 1/2″ Antique Silver Soccer Shooting Star Medal

Pairs with the gold above for a matching top-two finish set. The larger diameter makes the distinction between first and second visually clear  which matters in competitive settings where players and parents notice the difference. View this medal at Viking Awards.

2 1/2″ Antique Bronze Soccer Shooting Star Medal

The third piece of the large-format set. Ordering all three in the 2 1/2″ size for a tournament gives your event a premium feel without a dramatic increase in cost over the smaller versions. View this medal at Viking Awards.

2 1/4″ Antique Bronze Soccer Laserable Flame Medal

The flame design is a step up aesthetically from the shooting star  more detailed, more striking, and well-suited for tournaments that want something slightly more distinctive. The laserable surface allows for custom engraving directly on the medal face, which is a nice upgrade from back-only engraving. View this medal at Viking Awards.

10″ Soccer Champion Award

Not a medal in the traditional sense, but worth mentioning for leagues that want to recognize a champion differently. This is a full award piece  the kind of thing that sits on a mantle rather than hanging from a ribbon. Ideal as the top-tier recognition at a league championship event, paired with medals for the rest of the team. View this award at Viking Awards.

10 1/2″ Soccer Cobra Award

A more distinctive trophy-style award for top players or championship recognition. The cobra design is uncommon enough to stand out, and the size commands attention on a shelf. Worth considering as an MVP or player of the year award alongside a standard medal set for the full team. View this award at Viking Awards.

12″ Glass Soccer Ball with Marble Base

For elite-level recognition  a tournament MVP, a season-long achievement award, or a coach’s award  this glass soccer ball trophy is a genuinely impressive piece. It’s the kind of award that gets displayed rather than stored. A strong choice for leagues that want to create a signature recognition moment at their end-of-season event. View this award at Viking Awards.

Where to Buy Soccer Medals: Top Companies

Finding a reliable supplier matters more than most league organizers realize until something goes wrong  wrong engraving, missed deadlines, or medals that look nothing like what was shown online. These are companies with proven track records in the sports awards space.

1. Viking Awards

Based in Westchester, Illinois, Viking Awards has built a strong reputation for quality custom awards across youth and competitive sports. Their soccer medal selection covers everything from budget-friendly participation options to premium competition pieces, and their in-house engraving capabilities mean orders don’t get farmed out to a third party. For leagues that want custom neck ribbons, personalized engraving, or bulk orders with consistent quality, Viking Awards is a strong first call. They also carry a full range of related recognition products including crystal awards, acrylic awards, plaques, and trophies, which makes them a practical one-stop option for leagues that need multiple award types. You can reach them at (630) 833-1733 or browse their full soccer award catalog at viking-awards.com.

2. Crown Awards

One of the larger national award suppliers in the US, Crown Awards carries an extensive catalog of soccer medals and trophies at a range of price points. Their online ordering system is straightforward for bulk purchases, and they offer a wide variety of customization options. Turnaround times are generally competitive, though for complex custom work, a more specialized local supplier may have an edge.

3. Hodges Badge Company

Hodges specializes in medals, pins, and badges, and their soccer medal selection is well-regarded in the youth sports and tournament market. They’re a solid choice for leagues that prioritize medal quality and want design variety. They offer both stock and custom die-cast medals, which is useful for tournaments that want a unique piece.

4. Trophy Depot

Trophy Depot focuses heavily on the budget end of the market, making them a viable option for recreational leagues with tight per-player budgets. Selection is broad, customization options are available, and shipping is generally fast for stock items. Quality and finish aren’t quite at the level of more specialized suppliers, but for participation-level awards, they get the job done.

Disclaimer: The companies listed above are presented as editorial opinions only and are not ranked in any particular order of preference or quality. This list reflects our independent assessment and should not be taken as an official endorsement or ranking. We recommend evaluating each supplier based on your specific needs, timeline, and budget.

Common Mistakes Leagues Make When Ordering Soccer Medals

Ordering too late is the most common and most avoidable mistake. Many award companies need 2 to 3 weeks for standard orders with engraving, and rush fees can add up fast. Get your order in at least three weeks before your event, ideally more.

Underestimating the importance of engraving is another one. A medal with the player’s name, team, year, and event becomes a personalized keepsake. The same medal without any customization is a generic piece of metal. The engraving cost is almost always worth it  it’s typically a small per-unit addition that dramatically increases the perceived value of the award.

Ordering only one size or style for everyone is a missed opportunity. Distinguishing champions, runners-up, and participants with different medal sizes or designs costs a little more but communicates something meaningful about the level of achievement. Players and parents notice.

Not proofing the engraving text is the mistake that causes the most headaches. Always confirm the exact text, spelling, and year before approving an order. Reprinting medals due to a typo is expensive and time-consuming.

Forgetting about neck ribbons is a minor but common oversight. Many league organizers focus entirely on the medal and forget to specify ribbon color or style, then end up with something that doesn’t match their team colors. It’s a small detail that adds up when you’re handing out awards at an event.

How to Choose the Right Soccer Medal for Your Event

Start by defining what the award is for. A recreational under-8 league and a competitive under-16 travel tournament have genuinely different needs. For the recreational league, a 1 3/4″ antique finish medal at a low per-unit cost makes perfect sense. For the competitive tournament, stepping up to a 2 1/2″ medal with engraving and a matching set of gold, silver, and bronze is the right move.

Then think about your total quantity and budget. Get a per-unit price at your expected volume before committing to a design. Factor in engraving and ribbons from the start rather than treating them as afterthoughts.

If your event includes special individual recognition beyond team placement  MVP, most improved, golden boot, best goalkeeper  consider pairing medals with a trophy or plaque for those selections. It creates a clear hierarchy of recognition that feels intentional rather than arbitrary.

Finally, give yourself time. The best award companies do their best work when they’re not rushed. Order early, proof everything, and confirm your delivery date in writing.

Final Thoughts

Soccer medals are a small part of the overall event budget, but they carry an outsized amount of meaning for the players who receive them. Getting it right  the right size, the right finish, the right engraving  takes a bit of planning, but it’s not complicated. Start with a clear sense of what you need, work with a supplier that has real experience in the sports awards space, and give yourself enough lead time to do it properly.

Viking Awards offers a full range of soccer medals, trophies, and custom engraving services for leagues and tournaments of all sizes. If you’re ready to place an order or want help figuring out the right options for your event, reach out to their team directly at (630) 833-1733 or visit viking-awards.com.