Collectable Collaboration: NFL, Topps Renew Exclusive Card Activation
Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 05:01PM By Barry Janoff
April 2, 2026: In a strategy designed to energize the category, the NFL and NFL Players Assn. unveiled Fanatics Collectibles division Topps official exclusive trading card licensee, with the brand designing and developing its first licensed football cards since 2016.
As part of the multi-year deal, the NFL and NFLPA will give Fanatics Collectibles the rights to use official team logos, names, marks, helmet designs and uniforms, as well as official NFL branding for cards and packaging.
Financial details of the partnership, which also includes global distribution, were not released.
Topps takes over from Panini America.
“This partnership between the NFL and Fanatics Collectibles brings together the league, our players and a best-in-class collectibles platform to better serve fans and grow the trading card hobby,” Casey Collins, NFL svp-consumer products, said via the league.
“We’re excited to welcome Topps back as our exclusive trading card partner, and by leveraging their expertise and innovation, we will reach fans and collectors around the world with one-of-a-kind offerings and experiences.”
To support the alliance, Topps and the NFL will activate a multi-faceted interactive celebration of the trading card hobby in Pittsburgh around the 2026 NFL Draft April 23-25.
Each day, there will be a dedicated space where people can learn about the hobby, get free packs, watch live pack openings and more.
This culminates with Collector Celebration Day on April 25, taking place on the field at Acrisure Stadium.
“The value starts with the players, and the continued growth of the trading card market creates real opportunities tied to their performance and popularity,” Matt Curtin, Players Inc. president, the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, said via the organization.
“This partnership with Fanatics, negotiated by our group licensing partner OneTeam, helps ensure players are represented in that growth.”
The first set under the alliance will be 2025 Topps Chrome Football, scheduled for release April 15.
It will include a one-of-one (1/1) Topps Rookie Premiere Patch Autograph Cards and 1/1 NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards.
The Rookie Premiere Patch Autograph Cards feature jersey patches worn by players the first time they dressed for an official NFL regular-season game.
Members from the 2025 rookie class featured, including Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Cam Ward and TreVeyon Henderson.
Topps also releases MLB and NBA Rookie Premiere Patch Autograph Cards.
"By leveraging their expertise and innovation, we will reach fans and collectors around the world with one-of-a-kind offerings and experiences.”
NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards include Gold Shields worn in games by the 2024 AP award winners.
They include Josh Allen (MVP), Saquon Barkley (Offensive Player of the Year), Patrick Surtain II (Defensive Player of the Year), Jayden Daniels (Offensive Rookie of the Year) and Jared Verse (Defensive Rookie of the Year).
In addition, the 2025 Topps Chrome Football collection will feature players from all 32 NFL teams, in addition to select NFL legends. The set will include Fanatics Collectibles exclusive athletes such as Jayden Daniels, Tom Brady, Drake Maye, CJ Stroud, Bo Nix, Jerry Rice and more.
“In partnership with the league and the players association, we are excited to build a program that honors the legacy of the game while introducing never-before-seen levels of innovation, storytelling and premium design,” Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, said via the company.
“We look forward to bringing our passion for football to life through our incredible products.”
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