Fanatics is set to launch 2025 Topps Chrome Football on April 15, marking their first fully licensed NFL cards since 2016. This comes after Fanatics secured a 20-year deal and an agreement with the NFL Players Association that began in 2023. The company acquired Topps for $500 million in 2022.
Return to NFL Cards
Fanatics, under the Topps brand, will produce fully licensed NFL cards for the first time since 2016. Michael Mahan, Fanatics’ CEO of collectibles, described it as a “spectacular moment” for the company and collectors. Fanatics is instituting its debut and award-winner patch program.
Premiere Patch and Gold Shield Autograph Cards
Topps will include one-of-one-numbered Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph cards. There will also be NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph cards, featuring gold NFL shields. The shields are taken from the jerseys of 2024 Associated Press award winners worn during the 2025 season.
The gold shield autograph cards will feature shields taken from the 2025 jerseys of 2024 major NFL award winners. These include Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, and Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II. Also included are Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse.
The debut patch program involves patches from players’ jerseys worn in their first regular-season game. These are inserted into one-of-one-numbered, on-card autographed cards.
Fan Experience and Collectibles
Fanatics is planning pack giveaways and live-breaking at the 2026 NFL draft, which takes place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. The set also includes Fanatics Collectible exclusive athletes such as Daniels, Drake Maye, and C.J. Stroud. Also included are Bo Nix, Jerry Rice, and Tom Brady.
NFL’s Perspective
Casey Collins, NFL senior vice president of consumer products and licensing, said they asked Fanatics what they had not been doing for fans. He noted a need to innovate in relics, bringing more game-worn merchandise into trading cards. This includes jerseys, pants, footballs, coins, pylons, headbands and towels.
- Fanatics acquired Topps for $500 million in 2022.
- The 2025 Topps Chrome Football launches April 15.
- The set includes Fanatics Collectible exclusive athletes.
Fanatics’ deal with the NFLPA sparked an antitrust lawsuit from Panini. Panini alleges that Fanatics has created a monopoly spanning multiple leagues and players associations. Fanatics countersued, claiming unfair competition and tortious interference with business relations.