How to tag sports photos by jersey number

About 10 minutes to set up a roster, then seconds per photo.

The fastest way to name athletes in sports photos is to type the number on their jersey and let software look up the name. It's quicker than typing names, and far more accurate: every photo gets the exact spelling, which matters when photos are delivered to athletes automatically by name.

1. Make a roster

A roster is a simple list of numbers and names. The quickest ways to get one:

From the team's roster page: in Session Setup, click From Link… next to Roster and paste the page (college athletics sites, ESPN, NFL, NBA.com, NHL.com, MLB.com and MLS all work).
Type or paste it in the app: click the i next to Roster and open Create a Roster; it works without internet.
In a text editor or spreadsheet: see the roster guide.

When two players share a number (common in football), give them codes like 11o (offense) and 11d (defense). Coaches and staff get short letters, like hc for the head coach.

2. Spell names exactly right

Use the names exactly as athletes are listed on the platform your team delivers photos through, including Jr. and III, hyphens and accents. A photo tagged "Andre Whitfield" won't reach someone signed up as "Andre Whitfield Jr."

3. Tag the game

In Session Setup, fill in the event (e.g. "Riverside Hawks vs. Lakeview Tigers"), date, location and your name, choose the roster and the photo folder, then Start Session.
For each photo, type the number and press Enter. The name appears as a green tag. Add as many players as are in the shot.
Press > for an instant caption, or ? to write your own moment ("catches a 41-yard pass").
Press + (or \) to save and move to the next photo. The names go into the photo's keywords and Person Shown fields, and the caption into its description. / goes back to fix a photo.

Getty-style captions

Captions follow the format wire services use:

Marcus Hale of the Riverside Hawks during the Riverside Hawks vs. Lakeview Tigers game at Hawks Stadium on October 14, 2026 in Riverside, California. (Photo by Jane Shooter)

Tagging both teams? Load the opponent's roster too, and each player's caption names their own team.

Speed tips

< reuses the last description, with this photo's players in it.
* repeats the last photo's players and description, for a burst of the same play.
A typed number that isn't on the roster? You can add the person to that photo only, or to the roster for next time.
Turn on Rename photos with player names to name files like KJDuffJr1.jpg as you save.
Your seconds-per-photo and top 10 players are one keystroke away (⌘T / Ctrl+T), so you can see you're covering everyone.

Try it

Metadata Express runs on Mac and Windows, with a 5-day free trial. Download it here. Questions? Send us a message.

More guides: Ingest from an SD card with a backup · IPTC metadata explained · Send photos to editors during a game · Make a roster file