Topps is officially back in the licensed NFL card business.
Fanatics Collectibles, the parent company of Topps, announced a long-term agreement with the NFL that makes Topps the league’s exclusive manufacturer of licensed football trading cards. The move marks a major shift in the hobby and brings Topps back to fully licensed NFL products for the first time in more than a decade.
The first big release under the renewed partnership will be 2025 Topps Chrome Football, which is scheduled to arrive on April 15.
What collectors can expect
Along with the return of a licensed Topps football line, the company also previewed several high-end chase concepts that are likely to draw immediate attention from collectors.
Topps Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards: These one-of-one cards will feature patches worn by players in their first regular-season NFL game. After use, the patch is removed, authenticated, and placed into an autograph card. Early names tied to the inaugural checklist include Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Cam Ward.
NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards: These 1/1 autograph cards will include gold NFL shield patches worn by 2024 AP award winners. The first group includes Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, Patrick Surtain II, Jayden Daniels, and Jared Verse.
Draft week activations in Pittsburgh
Topps is also planning a strong in-person presence around the NFL Draft. The company said it will host a multi-day collector activation in Pittsburgh and distribute free packs during the event. A Collector Celebration Day is also planned for April 25 at Acrisure Stadium.
In the NFL’s announcement, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products Casey Collins said the partnership is designed to connect the league, its players, and a leading collectibles platform in a way that better serves fans and helps grow the trading card hobby worldwide.
A major hobby change
Topps had a long history with football cards before losing its NFL license. The company produced flagship football products from 1956 through 2015, a run that included brands such as Topps, Topps Chrome, Bowman, and Finest.
Panini took over as the exclusive NFL card licensee beginning in 2016, ending Topps’ licensed run. Since then, Topps has remained active in football through unlicensed releases, including products issued in 2023 and 2024.
Those recent releases still gave Topps a foothold in the market, especially after Fanatics secured exclusive autograph deals with top draft picks including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye.
What could come next
The return of Topps as the exclusive NFL card partner could go well beyond Chrome. Collectors may eventually see additional programs such as Topps Now and an NFL Living Set tied to future league moments and player storylines.
For longtime football collectors, the announcement signals the return of one of the category’s most recognizable brands. For newer collectors, it opens the door to a fresh era of licensed NFL cards under the Topps banner.
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