Fanatics Collectibles, the National Football League, and the National Football League Players Association have announced a major new multi-year licensing agreement that officially brings Topps back into the licensed NFL trading card space for the first time since 2016. The landmark partnership marks a powerful new era for football collectors, uniting the league, its players, and one of the most recognized names in trading cards under a single exclusive platform designed to expand the hobby and engage fans worldwide.
Under the new agreement, Fanatics Collectibles will have the rights to produce officially licensed NFL trading cards featuring team logos, names, marks, helmet designs, uniforms, and official NFL branding across cards and packaging. The deal also includes global distribution, reflecting the continued international growth of the NFL and the expanding worldwide demand for sports collectibles.
The first official release under the partnership will be 2025 Topps Chrome Football, arriving April 15, with pre-orders beginning April 3 on Topps.com. The highly anticipated set is expected to generate major excitement among collectors, especially because it introduces two of the most innovative football card concepts in recent memory: the one-of-one Topps Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards and the one-of-one NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards.
The new Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards are positioned to become instant grails in the hobby. These patches were worn by players the first time they suited up for an official NFL regular-season game, adding an extraordinary level of authenticity and significance. Featured players from the 2025 rookie class include Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Cam Ward, and TreVeyon Henderson. Each patch was worn on the player’s right breast and includes the word PREM1ERE along with the player’s rookie class year stitched below, making these cards both visually striking and historically meaningful.
Equally compelling are the NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards, which showcase Gold Shields worn in games by the 2024 AP award winners. These Gold Shields are located near the base of the jersey collar and connect each card directly to one of the league’s most celebrated individual honors. This special lineup includes Josh Allen as MVP, Saquon Barkley as Offensive Player of the Year, Patrick Surtain II as Defensive Player of the Year, Jayden Daniels as Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Jared Verse as Defensive Rookie of the Year.
NFL executive leadership emphasized the significance of the new partnership as a long-term move designed to better serve fans while elevating the trading card hobby. Casey Collins, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products at the NFL, noted that the collaboration brings together the league, its players, and a best-in-class collectibles platform to create innovative offerings and experiences for collectors around the world. NFL Players Inc. President Matt Curtin also highlighted the importance of the deal in ensuring that players are represented in the growth of the increasingly valuable trading card marketplace.
Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, underscored the company’s enthusiasm for building a football card program that honors the legacy of the game while delivering innovation, storytelling, and premium design. That vision is already apparent in the makeup of the 2025 Topps Chrome Football collection, which will feature players from all 32 NFL teams, as well as select NFL legends. The set will also include Fanatics Collectibles exclusive athletes such as Jayden Daniels, Tom Brady, Drake Maye, CJ Stroud, Bo Nix, Jerry Rice, and more.
To celebrate Topps’ return to licensed NFL cards, Fanatics Collectibles and the NFL will also roll out a multi-day interactive fan activation in Pittsburgh during the 2026 NFL Draft. The experience will feature a dedicated hobby space where fans can learn about trading cards, receive free packs, watch live pack openings, and engage directly with the culture of collecting. The celebration will culminate in Collector Celebration Day on Saturday, April 25, taking place on the field at Acrisure Stadium with special guests, athletes, and more.
Key highlights of the new partnership include:
- Topps returns as the NFL and NFLPA’s official exclusive trading card licensee
- 2025 Topps Chrome Football launches April 15
- Pre-orders begin April 3 on Topps.com
- Official cards will be available through Fanatics Live, NFLShop.com, select retail locations, and hobby shops
- New innovations include 1/1 Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards
- New premium inserts also include 1/1 NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards
- The set features players from all 32 NFL teams and select legends
- A major fan hobby activation will take place during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh
With Topps re-entering the licensed football card category and Fanatics Collectibles leading the charge, this new chapter signals a fresh and ambitious future for the hobby. For collectors, NFL fans, and sports culture enthusiasts alike, this partnership represents more than a product launch — it is a high-profile return, a premium innovation play, and a bold expansion of football’s collectible legacy.
