<p>Panini, the company known for its tradition of creating soccer trading cards and stickers, is relinquishing that role for the Premier League to Fanatics brand Topps. The American company will become the Premier League’s exclusive partner beginning in June 2025. Thus, it’ll end the six-year partnership between Panini and the Premier League.</p>



<p>As part of this deal, Fanatics, in collaboration with Topps will create Premier League trading cards. Additionally, Fanatics will sell stickers and related books that fans can collect. Prior to the deal with Panini, Topps sold stickers and related collectives from 1994 to 2019. As a result of adding the Premier League, Fanatics and Topps now have products involving the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/topps-bundesliga-sticker-collections-from-2018-through-2021-video-20210717-CMS-340075.html">Bundesliga</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/topps-2021-mls-trading-cards-featuring-tanner-tessmann-autograph-video-20210717-CMS-340071.html">Major League Soccer</a> and the UEFA Champions League.</p>



<p>“This is a big deal for us,” David Leiner, Fanatics Collectibles’ president of trading cards, told <em><a href="https://www.cllct.com/sports-collectibles/memorabilia/fanatics-adds-crown-jewel-with-exclusive-deal-for-premier-league-cards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cllct</a></em>. “On a global basis, you have arguably the top domestic league in football in the Premier League — some of the top-tier clubs, top-tier players in the world. So, this is absolutely massive.”</p>



<p>Leiner went on to add that the Premier League was one of the jewels that Fanatics was missing in its crown. He hesitated to outwardly commit to what the products would look like in the lineup. However, previous iterations of Topps can point to what is in store for the Premier League.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240508_WST_505680_Topps-1200x670_3f9fe976.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-505710" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Topps-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Topps-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Topps-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Topps.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Fanatics to bring back popular Premier League trading card packages</h2>



<p>The Topps Chrome set is the company’s most popular form of product that exists in other leagues and sports. Card collectors often preserve the Topps Chrome packs because of their quality and durability. They make it easy for traders to make a profit on valuable cards, particularly when they go up in value over time. Topps released this edition of cards last time it had the rights to the Premier League before Panini took over.</p>



<p>While North America has a strong culture of trading cards, Europe and South America generally have more of a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/how-to-complete-a-world-cup-sticker-album-20221102-WST-405984.html">preference for stickers</a>. The deal with the Premier League is a way for Topps and Fanatics to continue the growth of the trading card market in Europe.</p>



<p>“I think you’re going to see a massive amount of continued growth in Europe and the same thing in Latin America, which is still very sticker focused,” Leiner said. “I think we’re seeing a burgeoning business there on the trading-card game and trading-card side. And again, I think soccer still has yet to have its day here in North America. Messi coming to MLS is helping to raise the bar. The World Cup coming here is going to raise that bar, but properties like the Premier League are, I think, always going to be the crown jewel of global football.”</p>



<p>Fanatics also may start using shirt patches to add another facet to its base of collectibles. In Major League Soccer, players making their debut wear a <a href="https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-debut-patches-what-to-know-about-the-trading-cards-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Debut Patch</a> on their kit. After the game, the kit team removes the patch and uses an adhesive to apply it to a trading card. It will be a one-of-one collectible.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Interview with Panini about Soccer Trading Cards &amp; Stickers" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NAqt2W2gRgw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>

Topps to replace Panini for Premier League cards, stickers

Panini is relinquishing its trading card and sticker duties for the Premier League to Fanatics Collectibles in 2025.


<p>One of the most sought-after soccer trading cards in the world entered auction earlier this week. The card, a 1958 Americana LTDA Futebol Pele rookie, is considered extremely rare. This is, of course, reflected in the card’s final sale price. The auction ultimately ended on Thursday night with a winning bidder of $66,000.</p>



<p>The history of the card, and others from the series, is actually fascinating. Americana LTDA, a Sao Paulo-based manufacturing company, issued the set featuring the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> national team. The move was to celebrate the nation’s triumph at the 1958 World Cup. It was the country’s first trophy at the tournament.</p>



<h2>1958 Brazilian trading card set was meant to be destroyed</h2>



<p>Brazil was fueled by a fresh-faced 17-year-old future star named Pele. The teen netted six goals in the competition, including scores in all three knockout round matches. Pele’s stellar play was recognized by top journalists covering the competition. Reporters included the Brazilian in the 1958 World Cup Team of the Tournament.</p>



<p>Despite Americana LTDA creating the set of trading cards to honor the Brazil team, the cards were actually meant to be destroyed. <a href="https://www.pwccmarketplace.com/premier-auction/11072" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pwcc Marketplace</a>, the auction house that sold the Pele card, claims that fans were told to rip up the cards upon receiving them. Collectors could have also mailed in the cards back to the company to receive special prizes.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Panini Chronicles Soccer Unboxing - Featuring Neymar Autograph!" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ANWLuFmj6pA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>Auctioned Pele card was given best rating by authenticating company</h2>



<p>Due to the odd request, few of these Pele cards have survived. In fact, records show that the rare card has only ever entered public auction a few times. Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) has also only handled 17 different copies of the card as well. </p>



<p>PSA is one of the most premier trading card grading companies in the world. Collectors send their best cards to the company and they authenticate it, give it an official grade (1-10) and mail it back to the consumer. Having a card graded by PSA fairly drastically increases the value of the item.</p>



<p>The specific Pele card was given a grade of 6.5 While this may seem low and not exactly special, cards from this era are rarely given a higher grade. In fact, this particular copy of the card was the best example of a 1958 Pele rookie card in the company’s history.<br><br><em>Card Images: PWCC</em>.</p>


Rare Brazilian Pelé trading card sells for $66,000

An extremely rare PSA authenticated 1958 Americana LTDA Futebol Pele rookie card was recently sold at auction for $66,000.

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Topps to replace Panini for Premier League cards, stickers

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Rare Brazilian Pelé trading card sells for $66,000