Halloween is almost here, and if you’re still trying to figure out what to wear to a Halloween party, don’t worry! Sometimes the best costume ideas come from the television shows we watch, the athletes we cheer for, and the pop-culture moments everybody has been talking about.
Whether you’re planning to dress up for an adult Halloween party, looking for something fun to wear with your spouse, or searching for a costume that will get people talking, sports-inspired costumes offer plenty of possibilities.
According to Irena Ducic, senior content editor at AskGamblers, several sports and entertainment moments from 2026 could inspire this year’s Halloween costumes. From Ted Lasso’s familiar coaching look to a Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce couples costume, these ideas can be adapted to fit your personality, budget, and comfort level.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Men– Ted Lasso– If you enjoy the television series Ted Lasso, this costume is a fun way to bring the show’s upbeat coach to your Halloween celebration. With the fourth season arriving in August and its finale airing October 7, the character is a timely choice for Halloween 2026. The best part? You probably won’t need to buy an entire costume.
To recreate Ted Lasso’s look, gather a few simple pieces:
- A club tracksuit or plain quarter-zip shirt
- Khaki pants
- Sneakers
- A whistle worn around your neck
- A mustache
- A homemade “Believe” sign taped to a piece of cardboard
The homemade sign is an especially nice touch for fans who want their costume to be recognizable without spending a fortune.
Lionel Messi– Soccer fans may enjoy dressing as Lionel Messi, one of the sport’s most recognizable names. A Messi-inspired costume is also a straightforward choice for anyone who already owns a soccer jersey.
For the look, you’ll need:
- An Argentina soccer shirt
- The number 10 on the back
- A toy or homemade World Cup trophy as a prop
You can keep the costume simple or add accessories to make it more recognizable to fellow soccer fans.
David Beckham and the Oversized Drink– Sometimes a memorable costume begins with one funny moment. This idea takes inspiration from David Beckham being photographed in the stands at the Scotland versus Brazil game with an unusually large glass of red wine.
To recreate the look, try:
- Sunglasses
- A button-down shirt
- Tailored chinos or dark pants
- An oversized novelty drinking glass as a prop
If you’d rather go for a more casual sports-inspired outfit, a David Beckham jersey is another option.
For a party costume, the oversized glass is the detail that makes this outfit stand out. Just use a novelty prop rather than carrying around a heavy glass.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Women
Serena Williams– Tennis fans can draw inspiration from Serena Williams, whose return to competitive singles tennis at Wimbledon in 2026 brought renewed attention to the legendary athlete.
A Serena-inspired costume can be put together with a few tennis essentials:
- Tennis whites
- Beaded braids for a throwback-inspired look
- A racket bag worn over the shoulder
- A tennis racket as an optional accessory
Comfortable tennis shoes can finish the outfit, especially if you’ll be standing, walking, or dancing at a Halloween party.
Knicks City Dancer– Basketball fans may want to celebrate the New York Knicks’ 2026 NBA championship with a costume inspired by the Knicks City Dancers.
The outfit can be adapted to your personal style with:
- An orange-and-blue two-piece outfit
- White sneakers
- A high ponytail
- A Knicks logo across the front
You don’t have to recreate a specific uniform. Orange and blue clothing and a basketball-inspired accessory can help capture the theme while keeping the outfit comfortable.
Alysa Liu’s Gold Medal Look– Figure skating fans can take inspiration from Alysa Liu, who won Olympic gold at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
For this costume, consider:
- A gold skating dress
- Tights
- White figure skates, if appropriate for your event
- White boots as a more comfortable alternative
- A gold medal or a bunch of roses
The gold dress and medal make this a festive option for anyone who enjoys figure skating or wants something a little different from the usual Halloween costume.
Halloween Couples Costume: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce– Looking for a costume you and your spouse or partner can put together? Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce offer a recognizable pop-culture pairing for 2026. The idea brings together Swift’s music career and Kelce’s football career, giving both people a chance to have fun with their costumes.
For Taylor Swift, consider a sparkly bodysuit, a blonde wig or temporary blonde hair color, and a microphone. For Travis Kelce, look for a Kansas City Chiefs jersey featuring his signature number 87 and a football helmet. You can make the outfits as simple or elaborate as you like. If one person already has a football jersey and the other has a sparkly outfit, you may have much of the costume ready to go.
Why Sports-Inspired Costumes Are Worth Considering– Irena Ducic, senior content editor at AskGamblers, shared this perspective on the connection between Halloween costumes and the year’s memorable moments:
“Halloween costumes are more than fancy dress thrown together every October, they’re a snapshot of the moments that defined our year, and in 2026 a great number of those moments came from sport. Expect to see sport’s biggest wins, the celebrations that became memes within minutes, and the athletes whose look travelled further than their result. This year’s costumes will be a good guide to which of 2026’s sporting moments people are still thinking about in October.”
The ideas draw on sports, television, and celebrity culture, offering something for fans with different interests.
Source: AskGamblers, featuring costume suggestions from Irena Ducic. The original release cites Google Trends and Pinterest data in developing its selections. Visit AskGamblers for more information.
Our Thoughts– I love the idea of finding a Halloween costume in something you already enjoy watching. You don’t always have to spend a lot of money on a costume that you’ll wear just once. Sometimes a shirt, a few accessories, and a little imagination are all you need.
For couples, the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce idea is a fun way to dress up together. For television fans, Ted Lasso offers a recognizable look that can be made with everyday clothing. And for sports lovers, a favorite athlete’s jersey can be the starting point for a simple costume.
My advice is to choose something that feels like you, use what you already have whenever possible, and remember that Halloween is supposed to be fun. If you’re heading to an adult Halloween party this year, which of these sports-inspired costumes would you choose?
At Greatful Moments, we’re always looking for ideas that help make celebrations a little more fun. Here’s to a Halloween filled with laughter, creativity, and memories worth keeping!
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
