Indianapolis Racers Fan Shop

3 products

The Indianapolis Racers Collection — Royal Retros Indianapolis Racers Fan Shop

Authentic 1974–1978 Indianapolis WHA Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL. Wayne Gretzky’s First Pro Team.

Royal Retros carries the deepest Indianapolis Racers throwback collection on the open web — authentic 1974–1978 WHA-era jerseys, hats, T-shirts, hoodies, and Indiana hockey fan apparel honoring the franchise that signed a 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky and brought major-league hockey to Indianapolis. The franchise that gave hockey its greatest player his first professional contract. Custom name and number on most jerseys. Sizes S–5XL with no big & tall upcharge.

What You Can Shop in the Indianapolis Racers Collection

Indianapolis Racers Jerseys — Throwback hockey jerseys spanning the WHA-era timeline (1974–1978). Twill construction, period-correct sleeve striping, color-matched crests. Custom name and number available on most styles.

Indianapolis Racers Hats — Snapbacks, fitted caps, dad hats, trucker styles, and unstructured caps featuring the franchise wordmark and logo.

Indianapolis Racers T-Shirts — Premium pre-shrunk soft-blend tees featuring vintage logos and franchise history designs.

Indianapolis Racers Hoodies, Sweatshirts, and Crewnecks — Heavyweight pullovers and crewnecks for vintage hockey collectors.

Customization — Most jerseys can be personalized with your name and number. Free customization on eligible items.

Sizes — Small through 5XL on virtually every product. We don't upcharge for big & tall sizes.

Why Royal Retros Is the Home of Indianapolis Racers Throwback Gear

  • WHA-era authenticity. Period-correct color values, proportions, and stitching for the 1974–1978 Indianapolis Racers.
  • Authentic period-correct construction. Twill stitched crests, sublimated fabrics on custom builds.
  • Free customization on most jerseys. Name and number at no extra cost.
  • Sizes Small through 5XL. No big & tall upcharge.
  • Cross-shop the broader WHA collection for related franchises.

Quick Buying Questions

What sizes do Indianapolis Racers jerseys come in?

Small through 5XL on virtually every jersey style.

Can I customize my jersey?

Yes — most styles offer free customization. Custom items are final sale and made to order. Allow 7–10 business days for production.

What materials are jerseys made from?

Heavyweight twill on most replica jerseys, sublimated polyester on custom and remix styles.

How accurate is the design?

Color palettes, lettering style, sleeve striping, and crest detail match 1974–1978 game-worn references.

How fast does it ship?

Standard products ship within 3–5 business days. Custom items ship within 7–10 business days.

Gift Ideas for the Indianapolis Racers Fan

  • For the WHA-era hockey historian: Authentic Wayne Gretzky throwback gear honoring the 1974–1978 franchise.
  • For the cult-rarity collector: Indianapolis Racers gear is genuinely rare on the open market — a deep-cut WHA gift.
  • For the customization fan: Free name-and-number personalization on most jerseys.
  • Year-round demand. WHA nostalgia plays year-round.

What Were the Indianapolis Racers?

The Indianapolis Racers (1974–1978) were a major professional ice hockey franchise based in Indianapolis, Indiana that played four seasons in the World Hockey Association. The franchise played its home games at Market Square Arena (capacity ~16,000). The Racers are best known for one of the most consequential player signings in hockey history: in June 1978, owner Nelson Skalbania signed 17-year-old Wayne Gretzky to a personal-services contract worth $1.75 million over 7 years, then assigned him to the Racers. Gretzky played eight games for Indianapolis before financial difficulties forced Skalbania to sell his contract to the Edmonton Oilers in November 1978 for $850,000. The franchise folded in December 1978, mid-season. The Racers’ four-year run produced just one notable championship moment, but their place in hockey history is secured by the Gretzky signing alone.

The Greatest Indianapolis Racers Players

Wayne Gretzky #99. Signed by the Racers in June 1978 at age 17. Played 8 games before owner Nelson Skalbania sold his contract to the Edmonton Oilers in November 1978. The most consequential signing in WHA history.

Pat Stapleton. Veteran NHL defenseman, played for the Racers in their final seasons.

Other notables. Bobby Sheehan, Bryon Baltimore, Andy Brown (goaltender), Kim Davis, Reggie Thomas.

Venue

Market Square Arena was the home of the Racers throughout the franchise’s four-year WHA run. The building was demolished in 2001.

How to Identify Authentic Indianapolis Racers Throwback Apparel

  • Verify the WHA-era color values. Authentic franchise colors have specific Pantone-matched values.
  • Check for the WHA-era logo. The 1974–1978 franchise used a specific stylized crest.
  • Era-specific design matters. Make sure the throwback represents the actual WHA-era franchise.
  • Royal Retros standard: Every product is reviewed for period accuracy.

More Frequently Asked Questions

When did the Indianapolis Racers exist?

The WHA-era Indianapolis Racers existed from 1974–1978.

Did Royal Retros carry the full franchise lineage?

Yes — cross-shop the related franchise collections in the WHA collection.

Where can I find related Royal Retros collections?

The Indianapolis Racers connect to multiple collections: the broader WHA collection, the Legacy Hockey collection, and our broader hockey collection.

WHA Cross-Shop

Indianapolis Racers at Royal Retros — Authentic 1974–1978 WHA Throwbacks. Custom Names & Numbers. Sizes S–5XL.