In an exciting turn of events for both trading card enthusiasts and mixed martial arts fans, the UFC trading card license will soon be back in the hands of Topps. Thanks to a fresh, exclusive multi-year agreement with Fanatics Collectibles, Topps will resume its role as the producer of UFC trading cards. This marks a significant shift in the market, as Topps previously held this position from 2009 to 2020 before being succeeded by Panini America for a short three-year period.
The agreement, which was expertly negotiated with the help of UFC’s licensing agent IMG, signifies a monumental moment for UFC collectibles. The first product to emerge from this renewed partnership will be the highly anticipated 2024 Topps Chrome UFC, scheduled for release on February 28.
Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President of UFC Global Consumer Products, expressed her excitement about this reunion. She acknowledged the vibrant market for UFC collectibles, fueled by the sport’s immense popularity and its incredible athletes. This collaboration aims to cater to the devoted UFC fanbase while providing them with new opportunities to engage with the sport and their favorite fighters through collectibles.
Fanatics Collectibles CEO, Mike Mahan, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. Mahan highlighted the widespread popularity of UFC trading cards among collectors and emphasized his company’s commitment to innovation and capturing the essence of the sport’s emerging stars through their trading cards. Fanatics Collectibles plans to leverage its Fanatics Live platform, a live breaking/commerce platform, to promote the UFC trading card line. This platform will bring fans closer to the action through athlete interviews and live card breaks featuring fighters, enhancing the overall collecting experience.
Furthermore, this collaboration between UFC and Fanatics is already successful in the worlds of memorabilia and apparel. Through the UFC Commerce platform, fans can access a wide range of products both at events and online. This partnership with Topps under the Fanatics umbrella is set to strengthen the existing relationship, offering UFC enthusiasts an even broader selection of memorabilia and collectibles to celebrate their passion for mixed martial arts.
The return of Topps as the producer of UFC trading cards will undoubtedly bring a fresh perspective to the market. Known for their high-quality collectibles and attention to detail, Topps has a long history of producing popular trading cards across various sports. Their experience and expertise will breathe new life into the realm of UFC collectibles, presenting fans with exciting and highly sought-after cards.
As the partnership between Topps and Fanatics Collectibles takes shape, fans can eagerly anticipate the release of the 2024 Topps Chrome UFC trading cards. This product is expected to draw immense attention and excitement from collectors and fans alike, with its sleek design and exclusive fighter imagery.
In conclusion, the reunion of Topps and the UFC trading card license under the Fanatics Collectibles collaboration opens up a world of possibilities for both collectors and fans of mixed martial arts. With innovative promotion strategies and a rich selection of memorabilia and collectibles, this partnership is poised to take the UFC trading card market to new heights. As the anticipation builds, fans can prepare themselves for an even more thrilling and immersive collecting experience.