How Sports Brands Do Educational Emails
1. West Ham United : World class talent returns to Dagenham 🤩⚒️
Objective
This email aims to re-engage fans by announcing the return of West Ham United’s women’s team to Dagenham for a pre-season match, while driving ticket sales and promoting season passes ahead of the 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Super League season.
Why this works
The email opens with a personalized salutation and immediately ties the match to a sense of homecoming, leveraging local pride and nostalgia to emotionally connect with fans before presenting any offers.
How to implement
By featuring player quotes and behind-the-scenes training visuals, the campaign humanizes the team and builds anticipation, not just for the match, but for the entire season, making fans feel like insiders in the team’s journey.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer near the 'GET TICKETS' CTA to create urgency around the October 1st match, especially since ticket pricing is already disclosed and fans may delay purchase without a time-sensitive nudge. • Include a short testimonial or quote from a fan or local supporter about returning to Dagenham to strengthen community connection and validate the emotional appeal already established in the subject line and opening copy.
2. Topgolf: OOO for the next few days? Check out our Winter Break Lineup.
Objective
This email aims to drive visitation during the winter break by promoting Topgolf’s seasonal lineup of events and discounts, encouraging immediate booking through time-sensitive offers and highlighting social, festive experiences perfect for groups on hiatus from school or work.
Why this works
Topgolf brilliantly frames its winter break offerings as a guilt-free escape for adults and teens alike, tapping into the emotional relief of ‘no school, no work’ to position the venue as the ideal social playground during downtime.
How to implement
The email leverages urgency and exclusivity by tying discounts to specific dates and booking channels, making the offer feel personalized and time-bound, a smart tactic to convert passive readers into immediate bookers.
Pro Tip
Add a visual countdown timer or ‘limited spots’ indicator next to the $25 off offer to amplify urgency, especially since the promotion expires soon and targets last-minute planners during holiday breaks. • Include a small map or ‘Find Your Nearest Topgolf’ CTA near the venue details to reduce friction for users unfamiliar with locations, especially since the email mentions multiple venues without clear geographic guidance.
3. West Ham United : Kudus and Fabiański latest ahead of European return
Objective
To build excitement and anticipation for West Ham United’s upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League match against FK TSC Bačka Topola while driving engagement through team news, multimedia content, and ticket sales. The email also reinforces brand loyalty by highlighting player updates and club heritage.
Why this works
The email masterfully blends emotional storytelling with tactical updates by featuring David Moyes’ quote about chasing finals, which taps into fan nostalgia while framing the upcoming match as a continuation of recent success.
How to implement
By integrating interactive elements like the ‘Pre-Match Quiz’ and ‘Iron Cast’ podcast preview, the campaign transforms passive readers into active participants, deepening engagement without overwhelming the user with sales pressure.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer to the ‘ON SALE NOW’ section for the FK TSC Bačka Topola match to create urgency and encourage immediate ticket purchases before the 8pm kickoff. • Include a brief quote or stat from Kudus or Fabiański in the hero section to personalize the update and strengthen emotional connection, rather than relying solely on Moyes’ statement.
4. Gilbert Rugby: Scoring the Perfect Pair: Eddy's Rugby Boot Guide! 👟
Objective
This email aims to guide the recipient, Eddy, through selecting the ideal rugby boots for the upcoming season by offering a personalized buyer’s guide and showcasing top-performing models. It also promotes complementary gear and Rugby World Cup 2023 exclusives to drive conversion and brand engagement.
Why this works
The email opens with a personalized greeting and immediately addresses the recipient’s likely intent, finding new boots, creating instant relevance and guiding them into a helpful, educational journey rather than a hard sell.
How to implement
By positioning each boot model with a distinct performance benefit, like ‘pinnacle of performance’ or ‘most powerful ever’, the email transforms product specs into compelling emotional and functional narratives that resonate with serious players.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or limited-availability tag to the RWC 2023 exclusives section to create urgency and incentivize immediate action, especially since event-based merchandise thrives on time-sensitive appeal. • Reposition the ‘Rugby Boots Guide’ CTA button higher in the email, perhaps directly under the hero image, to reduce friction for users seeking guidance before browsing products, improving conversion flow.
5. West Ham United : A spirited performance in defeat to Manchester City
Objective
To inform fans of the women’s team’s spirited but losing performance against Manchester City, while encouraging engagement through highlights, player reactions, and community involvement via the Supporters’ Board. It also promotes upcoming fixtures and merchandise to sustain momentum and fan investment.
Why this works
The email opens with a bold, emotionally resonant headline that acknowledges defeat but frames it as a spirited effort, immediately validating fan sentiment while preserving team pride and momentum for future matches.
How to implement
Strategically embedding multiple video CTAs with player quotes transforms passive readers into active viewers, deepening emotional connection by letting athletes speak directly to fans in their own voice and on their own terms.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or urgency cue to the Supporters’ Board application section to increase conversion, as the current static CTA lacks temporal motivation despite the open-ended nature of the opportunity. • Reposition the 'NEXT UP' fixture block higher in the email, ideally after the match recap, to capitalize on emotional momentum and drive ticket or watch-party engagement before the content shifts to merchandising.
6. Gilbert Rugby: Your Ultimate Headguard Guide | RWC 2023
Objective
This email aims to educate rugby players on selecting the right headguard while subtly promoting Gilbert’s trusted, pro-approved gear, leveraging the Rugby World Cup 2023 momentum to drive product interest and guide users toward purchasing decisions.
Why this works
By anchoring the email in the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2023 and featuring elite players wearing their gear, Gilbert instantly builds credibility and emotional resonance, making the product feel essential rather than optional.
How to implement
The email brilliantly blends education with promotion by positioning the headguard guide as a decision-making tool, subtly guiding users toward product pages without aggressive sales language, which enhances trust and reduces friction.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer or match-day reminder near the RWC schedule to create urgency and encourage immediate engagement with the headguard guide before key games. • Reposition the primary CTA 'HEADGUARDS GUIDE >>' higher in the email or duplicate it after the player testimonials to reinforce the conversion path without forcing users to scroll too far.
7. West Ham United : Latest team news ahead of our trip to Anfield ⚒️
Objective
To engage West Ham United fans ahead of their Premier League match against Liverpool by delivering team updates, tactical insights, and interactive content while driving ticket sales and merchandise interest.
Why this works
The email brilliantly blends emotional storytelling with tactical context by featuring the manager’s quote alongside player availability updates, making fans feel informed and emotionally invested ahead of a high-stakes match.
How to implement
Including a pre-match quiz with a nostalgic player riddle not only entertains but deepens fan loyalty by celebrating club history in a playful, interactive way that encourages social sharing and repeat engagement.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer above the 'GET TICKETS' CTA for the next home match to amplify urgency and reduce decision latency among fans who may be browsing passively. • Include a short video clip or GIF of David Moyes’ quote instead of static text to increase emotional resonance and time-on-page, leveraging motion to reinforce leadership confidence ahead of a tough away game.
8. Topgolf: NYE TICKETS ON SALE | We’re starting 2026 with a BANG 🥳
Objective
This email aims to drive immediate ticket sales for Topgolf’s New Year’s Eve 2026 event by highlighting the festive experience, live DJ, late-night hours, and chef-crafted bites, while incentivizing early purchase with a free hour of game play. It also promotes ancillary offers to boost engagement and cross-visit behavior.
Why this works
Topgolf brilliantly ties urgency to celebration by anchoring the NYE event to a specific date and offering a time-sensitive bonus, free game play, which transforms a social outing into a smart, value-driven purchase decision for early buyers.
How to implement
The email layers multiple offers without overwhelming the reader: the main NYE ticket sale, a car test drive promotion, and midweek half-off golf, each with its own CTA and visual separation, creating a dynamic yet organized experience that caters to different customer motivations.
Pro Tip
The hero section’s headline 'SWING IN THE NEW YEAR' is visually dominant but lacks emotional specificity, adding a sub-headline like 'Celebrate with Friends, Music & Midnight Toasts' would better convey the social, celebratory vibe and connect more deeply with the target audience’s NYE aspirations. • The Acura test drive promotion feels disconnected from the core NYE message; consider repositioning it as a 'New Year, New Ride' bonus tied to NYE ticket purchase (e.g., 'Buy NYE tickets, get 25% off your next game play AND a test drive') to strengthen cross-promotional synergy and perceived value.
9. West Ham United : Team news including Antonio update ahead of SC Freiburg
Objective
This email aims to build anticipation and engagement ahead of West Ham United’s UEFA Europa League match against SC Freiburg by delivering key team news, tactical insights, and fan experience options while subtly promoting merchandise and upcoming fixtures.
Why this works
The email strategically opens with a bold quote from the manager to immediately establish emotional ownership and pride, making fans feel part of a historic European journey rather than just spectators of a match.
How to implement
By embedding both video and photo content under 'Team News,' the campaign creates multiple engagement pathways, catering to fans who prefer quick visuals or deeper narrative, thereby increasing time-on-email and emotional resonance without overwhelming the layout.
Pro Tip
The 'On Sale Now' section lists multiple matches but lacks visual hierarchy, prioritizing the upcoming SC Freiburg Europa League match with a larger CTA or badge would better align with the email’s primary objective of driving engagement around this specific fixture. • The 'The Opposition' section includes detailed stats but buries the key player and manager profiles under a 'Continue Reading' button, moving those visuals and names above the fold would increase immediate recognition and emotional connection with the rival team’s key figures.
10. Juventus: 📅 Become a Member and apply for the next events ⚫⚪
Objective
This email aims to drive membership sign-ups by showcasing exclusive, time-sensitive events available only to Juventus members, creating urgency and emotional connection through fan experiences with players and stadium access.
Why this works
The email brilliantly leverages FOMO by tying exclusive player meet-and-greets and stadium experiences directly to membership status, making the value proposition feel personal and unmissable for passionate fans.
How to implement
Each event is framed as a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity rather than a generic perk, which transforms membership from a transaction into an emotional journey with the team and its legacy.
Pro Tip
Add a countdown timer next to each event’s application deadline to visually reinforce urgency and encourage immediate action, especially since applications close just days after the email is sent. • Include a brief testimonial or quote from a past participant in each event section to build social proof and help new members visualize themselves in the experience, increasing conversion confidence.