Topps has returned to the NFL memorabilia market as the exclusive trading card licensee of the league and the players union after a 10-year absence. The Fanatics Collectibles company, which last produced NFL cards in 2016 before having its license taken over exclusively by Panini America, is celebrating the agreement with the release of 2025 Topps Chrome Football on April 15.
Included in that set are a pair of different chase cards featuring player-worn patches -- the Topps Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph cards and the NFL Honors Gold Shield Autograph Cards. Both feature embedded patches that were worn by players before being removed, authenticated and inserted it into 1-of-1 autograph cards. Topps has used a similar process with other sports leagues products. The PREM1ERE patches were taken from the jerseys worn by members of the 2025 rookie class during their first NFL game. Meanwhile, the NFL Honors cards, in a nod to Topps’ Gold NBA Logoman Patch cards, will take the game-worn gold shield patches from the base of the jersey collar of 2024 AP award winners and insert them into 1-of-1 autograph cards.
To celebrate its return, Topps and the NFL will host a multi-day fan and collector activation in Pittsburgh around the 2026 NFL Draft that will include free packs and live pack openings, as well as a Collector Celebration Day at Acrisure Stadium on April 25.
