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NFL Trading Cards Return to Topps
2 Apr
Summary
- Topps is once again the exclusive NFL trading card licensee.
- This marks Topps' return to NFL card design since 2016.
- New cards will feature game-worn patches and player autographs.
The National Football League has renewed its partnership with Topps, reinstating the iconic brand as the league's exclusive trading card licensee. This significant agreement marks Topps' first involvement in designing and developing NFL trading cards since 2016. The announcement was made jointly by the NFL, Fanatics Collectibles, and the NFL Players Association.
This renewed collaboration comes as the trading card industry experiences a notable boom, a trend attributed in part to increased interest during recent lockdowns. Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan expressed enthusiasm, stating the company has been preparing for this moment for four years.
The partnership aims to innovate within the trading card space by incorporating game-worn merchandise and memorabilia. A key initiative includes the upcoming 2025 Topps Chrome Football set, scheduled for release on April 15. This set will introduce the Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards, featuring patches from the 2025 rookie class, and NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards, showcasing gold shields worn by 2024 award winners.
Casey Collins, the NFL's senior vice president of consumer products, highlighted product innovation as a driving force behind the renewed agreement. He noted the league's traditional lack of integrating game-used items into trading cards, a gap Topps and Fanatics are now poised to fill. The focus will be on "storytelling" to deepen the connection between fans and the game.
