The symphony of sports cards is set to gain a new rhythm as Fanatics/Topps amps up its production. As they stride towards acquiring the NBA license next year and the NFL rights in two years, the company continues to press the accelerator on designing and releasing dynamic sports cards. Recent revelations from their Industry Conference in Atlanta showcased an assortment of upcoming card releases that are poised to enrich their portfolio across basketball, football, UFC, soccer, and F1.
The slam dunk of this news is the announced return of Topps Chrome to the basketball court, which comes after a hiatus since the 2009-10 season. The anticipation is palpable, amplified by promotional fanfare around an autographed card from the NBA’s standout rookie Victor Wembanyama. The grand line-up of talents also features exclusives from basketball’s luminaries whom they’ve inked contracts with, including LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant. The soon-to-unveil basketball roster comprises an array of products like Midnight Cosmic, Chrome Finest, Motif, Royalty Collection, Collegiate Chrome and Bowman U Chrome.
Channeling gridiron energy, Topps is spiking its football card offerings predominantly around college themes, given that the NFL license commences in 2026 only. The football lineup includes exciting releases like Motif, Composite, Collegiate Chrome, Collegiate Royalty, Bowman U Chrome, and Bowman U Best, all planned for touchdown in the third quarter of 2024.
The high-kicking soccer card world is also receiving Topps’ crafted boost. Fanatics/Topps will introduce the Champions League Dynasty, a new women’s Champions League product and “The Grail” inserts across six different soccer products. Topps is aiming a hat-trick with its exciting 1/1 MLS Debut Patches in the Renaissance, Finest, and Chrome collections.
The dynamic sport of UFC is not left untouched. The Finest series returns to the octagon, now with a handful of premium products: Royal, UFC Midnight, Knockout, and Gold Label are set to be part of this high-impact collection designed for the UFC buffs.
The F1 racing circuits also receive card love from Topps. The introduction of Paddock Pass and Topps Chrome Finest promises a gripping race for card collectors, with Dynasty releases featuring tantalizing booklet cards and Michael Schumacher cut signatures.
Fanatics/Topps indeed seems all set to thrust the pace of card collecting to an uncharted hyper-speed. With its wide-ranging card releases across diverse sporting arenas, the company underlines its voracious commitment to engaging with and enriching the minds of sports card collectors. Indeed, it seems that the trading card market, currently in the passing lane, is due for a booster shot of innovation and excitement. Yet, with such a dynamic lineup of releases from Fanatics/Topps, collectors may just need to fasten their seat belts for a joyride in the world of sports card collecting.
