Topps Returns to the Gridiron: Fanatics Collectibles, NFL, and NFLPA Ink Exclusive Multi-Year Deal

The trading card landscape just shifted. In a move that brings a legendary brand back to the sport, Fanatics Collectibles, the National Football League (NFL), and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) have announced a multi-year licensing deal that restores Topps as the official exclusive trading card licensee for both the league and its players.

This agreement marks the first time since 2016 that Topps will design and develop officially licensed NFL football cards. For collectors, this isn’t just a corporate partnership; This proves the return of a brand that defined the hobby for decades, now backed by the infrastructure of Fanatics Collectibles.

The Terms of the Partnership

Under the multi-year deal, the NFL and NFLPA are granting Fanatics Collectibles comprehensive rights to utilize official team logos, names, marks, helmet designs, and uniforms. The agreement similarly extends to official NFL branding for both the cards themselves and their packaging.

Recognizing the league’s aggressive push into international markets, the partnership includes global distribution, ensuring that the recent Topps products reach fans well beyond the borders of the United States.

First Gaze: 2025 Topps Chrome Football

The inaugural release under this landmark agreement is the 2025 Topps Chrome Football set. The rollout is moving quickly: pre-orders opened on Topps.com on April 3, with the official release scheduled for April 15.

To make a statement with their return, Topps is introducing two highly innovative, one-of-one (1/1) card types that blend traditional collecting with game-used memorabilia.

Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph Cards

The Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph cards are designed to capture the very beginning of a player’s professional journey. These 1/1 cards feature patches worn by players during their first-ever official NFL regular-season game.

The patches, located on the right breast of the jersey, feature the word “PREM1ERE” with the player’s rookie class year stitched below it. The 2025 rookie class is already represented in these high-value inserts, including players such as:

• Jaxson Dart
• Cam Skattebo
• Cam Ward
• TreVeyon Henderson

NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards

For those hunting for established superstars, the set includes one-of-one NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph cards. These cards feature game-used Gold Shields—located at the base of the jersey collar—worn by the winners of the 2024 AP awards.

The Gold Shield players featured in this set 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
• Jared Verse: Defensive Rookie of the Year

Why This Matters for the Hobby

The gap between 2016 and 2026 left a void for fans of the Topps brand in the football space. By combining the historical prestige of Topps with the modern distribution power of Fanatics, the league is positioning its collectibles for a new era of growth. The inclusion of specific, game-worn elements like the PREM1ERE patches adds a layer of authenticity and scarcity that appeals to both the casual fan and the high-end investor.

For a bit of context, the “exclusive” nature of this deal means that Topps is the only brand authorized to produce these official NFL and NFLPA licensed cards, consolidating the market under the Fanatics Collectibles umbrella.

The next major milestone for collectors is the official release of the 2025 Topps Chrome Football set on April 15. Fans can monitor Topps.com for availability and further product reveals.

Do you reckon the return of Topps will revitalize NFL card collecting? Let us realize in the comments.