Sports brands face intense competition and rising customer acquisition costs. A well-structured rewards program can double customer lifetime value and turn one-time buyers into loyal advocates. For Shopify-based athletic apparel and sports equipment brands, the right loyalty platform can deliver measurable retention improvements and revenue growth.
This guide examines the top rewards programs in the sports industry—from global athletic powerhouses to specialty retailers—and provides a blueprint for building your own high-performing loyalty program.
Key Takeaways
- 79% of consumers belong to at least one loyalty program, and 75% spend more when they're members.
- The best sports brand rewards programs use tiered structures with experiential rewards beyond discounts.
- adidas adiClub members buy 50% more often and generate 2x lifetime value compared to non-members.
- Columbia Greater Rewards achieved the highest consumer satisfaction score (9.14/10) among all apparel programs in Newsweek's 2025 rankings.
- Sports brands on Shopify can replicate these strategies using platforms like Rivo, which has driven $1.5 billion in revenue for client brands.
1) Rivo - Best Loyalty Platform for Sports Brands on Shopify
Best For: Athletic apparel and sports equipment brands on Shopify Plus seeking a customizable, developer-friendly retention platform.
Pricing: Rivo offers a free plan for up to 200 monthly orders, with paid plans starting at $49/month (order-volume based) and tiers like $499/month for up to 2,500 orders with month-to-month billing.
Rivo provides the infrastructure sports brands need to build loyalty programs that rival adidas and Nike. The platform powers programs for brands doing nine-figures annually, including partnerships with Ultra Football (Nike collaboration) that generated $800K+ in loyalty revenue within six months.
This six-month revenue milestone demonstrates how quickly sports brands can see returns from properly implemented loyalty programs. The Nike collaboration showcases Rivo's ability to handle high-volume programs for established athletic brands while maintaining performance and reliability.
Key Features
- VIP tier automation based on spend, points earned, or orders placed—ideal for rewarding your most active athletes
- Referral marketing with 20+ built-in fraud prevention tools
- Direct Shopify checkout integration allowing customers to redeem points as payment
- Paid membership programs using modern Shopify Plus checkout extensions
Why It Made the List
Rivo delivers 52x ROI based on weighted case study medians and a 3.1x improvement in repeat purchase rates. Unlike legacy platforms, Rivo loads in under 100ms and integrates natively with Shopify's infrastructure—no workarounds required.
Performance Highlights
- HexClad generated $450K in referral revenue in the first 90 days
- Kitsch achieved $5.8M in loyalty-attributed revenue
- OSEA Malibu reached a 77% repeat purchase rate among reward redeemers
These results span different product categories and price points, demonstrating Rivo's versatility across the sports and lifestyle space. The 77% repeat purchase rate among redeemers shows the power of friction-free redemption experiences in driving customer retention.
Sports brands can use Rivo's visual page builder to create branded loyalty experiences that match their athletic aesthetic. The platform supports custom CSS, fonts, and Shopify POS integration for omnichannel programs.
2) adidas adiClub
adidas adiClub stands as the benchmark for sports brand loyalty programs with 240 million members worldwide. The four-tier system rewards customers with 10 points per $1 spent and unlocks progressively valuable benefits.
This massive member base represents one of the largest loyalty programs in retail, demonstrating the appeal of well-designed tier structures in athletic apparel. The global scale allows adidas to offer location-specific benefits while maintaining consistent core value across markets.
Key Features
- CONFIRMED app access for exclusive sneaker drops
- Money-can't-buy experiences including signed jerseys and training sessions with professional athletes
- Tiered rewards structure with increasing benefits at each level
Why It Made the List
Members purchase 50% more often than non-members and deliver 2x lifetime value. adidas earned Bond's Loyalty Report award for top loyalty program in apparel (2021-2022).
The 50% increase in purchase frequency translates directly to more predictable revenue streams and better inventory planning. This behavioral shift makes loyalty members significantly more valuable from both a marketing efficiency and operational perspective.
3) Nike Membership
Nike takes a different approach by offering perks-based rewards instead of traditional points. The program integrates with Nike Training Club and Nike Run Club apps, allowing members to earn rewards based on workout milestones.
Key Features
- Move to Earn rewards tied to fitness tracking and workout completion
- Free returns for Nike Members (return window and conditions vary by country, and can be up to 60 days in some markets)
- Receipt-free returns for members
- Partner benefits with Apple Music, ClassPass, and Headspace
Why It Made the List
Nike pioneered fitness-loyalty integration. The tiered system unlocks one-on-one coaching and early product drops.
This integration of fitness tracking with commerce creates a lifestyle connection beyond transactions. According to Harvard Business Review, increasing customer retention rates by just 5% can increase profits by 25% to 95%, making Nike's focus on engagement-driven retention especially valuable.
4) Columbia Greater Rewards
Columbia Greater Rewards earned the highest satisfaction score of any apparel program in Newsweek's 2025 rankings. The program offers $5 in rewards for every $100 spent—a clear 5% return.
Key Features
- 2X points on gift card purchases
- Free shipping for all members
- $25 bonus during promotional periods when spending $125+
Why It Made the List
The program's simplicity resonates with outdoor athletes. Columbia's straightforward structure proves that complex tiering isn't always necessary for high customer satisfaction.
The 9.14/10 satisfaction score based on over 4,000 consumer evaluations shows that transparency and simplicity can outperform more complex programs. This approach particularly appeals to outdoor enthusiasts who value straightforward value propositions.
5) The North Face XPLR Pass
The North Face relaunched XPLR Pass in 2021 with a focus on experiential rewards that connect members to the outdoors. Members earn 1 point per $1 spent, with 100 points converting to a $10 voucher.
Key Features
- XPLR Pass Trail Days—annual member-only events with group hikes and athlete talks
- Renewed Take-Back Program rewarding sustainability efforts
- 60-day field testing of unreleased products
- Points for checking in at National Parks and Monuments
Why It Made the List
The relaunch drove a 54% traffic increase to the XPLR landing page year-over-year and averaged 10,000 mobile app downloads monthly.
This traffic surge demonstrates the power of program redesigns that align with brand values. The combination of transactional and experiential rewards creates multiple engagement pathways that appeal to different customer motivations.
6) Lululemon Membership
Lululemon achieved 9 million sign-ups in five months—the fastest growth rate in the industry. Like Nike, Lululemon uses a perks-based model without points or discounts.
This remarkable growth pace shows the appeal of wellness-integrated loyalty programs to health-conscious consumers. The rapid adoption suggests the program filled an unmet need in the activewear market for lifestyle benefits beyond traditional discounts.
Key Features
- Free hemming service
- Receipt-free returns
- Partner perks: Peloton, Oura, and Barry's Bootcamp at 10% off
- Wellness ecosystem integration beyond apparel
Why It Made the List
Over 30% of members used at least one benefit in the initial period, proving the perks-only approach drives engagement without discounting.
7) Under Armour UA Rewards
Under Armour delivers consistent performance across multiple product categories. The program scored 8.64/10 in Outdoor & Athletic—the highest in that category.
Key Features
- Points-based rewards system
- Cross-category applicability for athletes
- Mobile app integration
Why It Made the List
UA Rewards demonstrates strength across the athletic product spectrum, appealing to multi-sport athletes who shop across apparel, footwear, and accessories.
Research from Accenture shows that 77% of consumers say shared values drive loyalty more than products or prices, making Under Armour's authentic athletic positioning particularly effective.
8) Athleta Rewards
Athleta, part of Gap Inc., earned the second-highest apparel satisfaction score in Newsweek's 2025 rankings. The program combines points-based rewards with birthday bonuses and Gap Inc. ecosystem benefits.
Key Features
- Points-based rewards system
- Birthday rewards
- Cross-brand benefits within Gap Inc. portfolio
Why It Made the List
Athleta's focus on empowering women through athletic wear and community building creates emotional loyalty beyond transactions.
9) Foot Locker FLX Rewards
Foot Locker completely redesigned FLX in 2024 based on customer feedback that the previous version wasted points. The new program now connects to 25%+ of sales—up 4% year-over-year.
This 4% sales penetration increase demonstrates the value of listening to customer feedback and iterating on program design. The customer-driven approach helps ensure benefits align with actual member preferences rather than assumptions.
Key Features
- FLX Cash: points redeemable for cashback
- Xtra Boosts: exchange points to increase sneaker raffle odds
- Heat Monitor showing predicted sneaker drop popularity
- Member-only events and experiences
Why It Made the List
The customer-driven redesign proves that listening to members pays off. Foot Locker targets 50% loyalty penetration by 2026 and 70% long-term.
10) Dick's Sporting Goods ScoreCard
Dick's Sporting Goods elevated ScoreCard with a strategic Nike partnership, allowing members to link accounts for cross-brand rewards and exclusive Nike product access.
Key Features
- Nike partnership with linked loyalty accounts
- Access to exclusive Nike products via Dick's website
- Invitations to special events at Dick's locations
- Multi-brand retail coverage across sports categories
Why It Made the List
The Nike integration represents a new model for retail-brand partnerships, providing value neither company could deliver alone.
11) REI Co-op Membership
REI operates as a cooperative, meaning members become partial owners. The one-time $30 fee provides lifetime benefits including an annual Co-op Member Reward—typically around 10% back on eligible full-price purchases (not guaranteed).
Key Features
- Annual Co-op Member Reward (dividend based on purchases)
- Voting rights for board of directors
- Access to curated gear and limited editions
- Community-focused outdoor programs
Why It Made the List
REI's cooperative model uses values and ethics to generate loyalty that transcends transactions. The ownership positioning creates deep emotional connections with outdoor enthusiasts.
According to Bain & Company research, increasing customer retention by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%. REI's lifetime membership model maximizes this retention advantage through permanent membership status.
12) Finish Line STATUS
Finish Line STATUS earned the highest footwear category score in Newsweek's 2025 rankings, outperforming larger competitors.
Key Features
- Tiered points system
- Member-exclusive access to limited releases
- Mobile app integration
Why It Made the List
Despite less brand recognition than competitors, Finish Line delivers superior customer satisfaction in the footwear specialty category.
Building Your Sports Brand Loyalty Program with Rivo
Sports brands looking to compete with industry leaders like adidas and Nike can leverage Rivo's platform to create world-class loyalty programs without enterprise budgets. The platform's month-to-month pricing and native Shopify integration make it accessible for growing brands while offering the sophistication needed for nine-figure retailers.
Rivo's 52x ROI median demonstrates the revenue impact possible when loyalty programs integrate seamlessly with your existing Shopify infrastructure. The platform's Klaviyo integration enables tier-based email segmentation, while Shopify Flow support allows advanced automation of tier benefits.
For sports brands ready to transform one-time buyers into loyal advocates, Rivo provides the complete toolkit—from VIP tiers and referral programs to paid memberships and checkout extensions. The platform's white-glove onboarding ensures your program launches with industry best practices built in.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are rewards programs and how do they benefit sports brands?
Rewards programs incentivize repeat purchases through points, perks, or tiered benefits. For sports brands, they increase customer lifetime value—adidas adiClub members deliver 2x the lifetime value of non-members. Programs also generate first-party data for personalized marketing. Rivo supports Shopify POS integration for brands with physical retail locations, creating unified experiences across channels.
How can VIP tiers help sports brands retain high-value customers?
VIP tiers create aspirational targets that keep top customers engaged. adidas adiClub's four-tier system encourages members to increase purchase frequency by 50% to unlock higher-level benefits. Tiers also provide segmentation data for targeted marketing through platforms like Klaviyo. According to McKinsey research, companies using advanced personalization generate 40% more revenue from those activities than average players.
What fraud prevention is available for referral programs in sports retail?
Rivo offers 20+ built-in fraud prevention tools including IP address monitoring (one referral per household), self-referral blocking, cookie tracking, new customer verification, minimum cart requirements, and order fulfillment verification before reward distribution. These tools protect program integrity while maintaining a friction-free experience for legitimate referrals.
How does integrating a loyalty platform with Shopify benefit sports retailers?
Native Shopify integration eliminates technical debt and improves site performance. Rivo loads in under 100ms using theme app extensions and integrates directly into Shopify checkout—allowing customers to redeem points as a payment method. This reduces friction and payment processing fees simultaneously while maintaining fast page speeds that improve conversion rates.
What metrics should sports brands track to measure rewards program success?
Key metrics include repeat purchase rate, average order value among members vs. non-members, redemption rates, and program-attributed revenue. Rivo's analytics dashboard provides 20+ reports on program performance, points liability, and redemption trends. Tracking these metrics helps brands optimize tier thresholds, reward values, and earning mechanisms for maximum ROI.
