The Biggest Sports Card Releases In June

June has a good mix of sports card releases, from the big three sports to other, more niche offers (see “WWE Prizm).

As always, here are the CardLines picks for cards to watch in June 2024. Remember: a feature on this list doesn’t mean it’s a must-buy. We’re sharing honest thoughts on all products. 

Please note: the release schedules are very fluid and move frequently. These dates are not guaranteed (and with so many releases tentatively scheduled for June, it’s a safe bet many of these products will not be released this month).

Noteworthy Sports Card Releases for June

2023/24 Panini Donruss Optic Basketball (06/07)

Donruss Optic Basketball is set to bring some fun to the hobby in June.  There are 20 packs per box, each containing 5 cards, which is the most cards of the big optichrome Panini NBA products. These boxes are available for pre-order at $550. 

You’ll find 1 autograph per box, presenting options like on-card Rated Rookie Signatures, on-card Next Day Autographs for top rookies from the 2023 NBA Draft Class, and the Dominators and Rookie Dominators Autographs. 

New insert additions include Hobby-Exclusive parallels in the following Insert sets: Elite Dominators, The Rookies, Lights Out, and Raining 3s! Also search for the new inserts Rising Suns and Red Hot Rookies! You can also pull the new SSP inserts Slammy! and Alter ego, which can also be found in the Hobby-Exclusive Gold (#’d/10) parallel!

2024 Panini Donruss Baseball (06/12)

I don’t usually feature unlicensed cards in this section, but the first half the month is pretty slim pickings. So, that said, the 2024 Donruss Baseball set marks its return with a diverse lineup featuring young stars, Hall of Fame legends, and iconic figures of the sport.

Pre-ordering at $150/box, collectors can find a variety of striking inserts such as Milestones, Bomb Squad, and Unleashed. The set also offers exclusive opti-chrome parallels in the Base Rated Prospects Optic, with unique variations like blue velocity, gold velocity, and black finite parallels.

You can expect to pull 3 autographs or memorabilia cards, 48 base Rated Rookies/Prospects, and 24 optic cards per box. Autograph sets include Signature Series and Retro 1984 Materials. Each box promises an average of three autographs or memorabilia cards, adding significant value for collectors.

2023 Panini Limited Football (06/12)

Limited Football is pre-ordering for $350 a box, and this year’s product has 3 packs of 5 cards per pack while guaranteeing 1 RPA and 1 other autograph, 1 memorabilia card, 1 base parallel, and 1 2006 Limited Tribute with a throwback to the OG Limited set (nothing like an “18th year commemoration).

According to Panini’s notes, this is a hobby favorite. According to every collector I asked, “It’s meh.” With Limited, it’s a high-ceiling, low-floor product that can pay off if you get a big card, but it’s not a “must-rip” kind of product you need to add to your calendar, especially with the 2022 rookie class.

 
2024 Topps Series 2 Baseball Hobby (06/12)

The 2024 Topps Baseball Series 2 continues the flagship chase with both an HTA and hobby format, plus retail. Featuring current stars, legendary players, and rising rookies across its base cards, inserts, autograph and relic cards, it’s an annual favorite.

Each HTA Jumbo Box, with its 10 packs and 40 cards per pack, delivers three hits, including at least one autograph card, and sells for $185. In the true hobby box ($85), collectors can look forward to finding one autograph or relic card, two silver packs, one blended rate insert, and one 1989 Topps Baseball or All-Star insert in every box.

2023/24 Panini Contenders Basketball (06/19)

Originally teased for a February release, Contenders is an autograph-driven product, and without Wemby autos, it’s a product I can’t recommend investing in. It’s kept the same format for 20 years, carrying value not by rookies or parallels, but by the Rookie Ticket Autographs.

Hobby boxes are selling for $425 and, as usual, have 2 autographs per box with one being one card. You can also expect to pull 12 inserts, parallels, or variations per box, but no guaranteed rookies.  See what I mean about autograph-driven?

Opening Contenders and making your money back is nearly miraculous, but the nicest rookie autographs age well. Still, without the nicest rookie, 2023-24 Contenders is a bad buy.

2023/24 Panini Mosaic Basketball (06/19)

Mosaic Basketball features a simple checklist but is sought by many. Ordering at $500/box, this year’s set features 1 autograph, 20 prizms and 20 inserts per box.

The autograph and inserts checklist are simple, but there is often beauty in that. Autographs sets include Autographs Mosaic, Rookie Autographs Mosaic, Pictographs Mosaic, Collage Autographs Mosaic, and the new Showtime Signatures.

The set also introduces new Base Sets such as Base NBA Debut, Base City Edition, and Base NBA Greats. Hobby Boxes feature insert sets like Storm Chasers, Overdrive, Razzle Dazzle, and new additions Heat Check and In-Season Tournament, along with SSP inserts Stained Glass and the new Micro Mosaic insert.

2023 Panini One Football (06/19)

Panini One is named very on-the-nose. Each box contains exactly one card. The cards are autographs, but not necessarily by a rookie. There are SSPs, which feel very necessary in boxes that contain, and there’s an insert set, of autographs too.

Without any huge rookie autographs to pull (again, no CJ Stroud), the price tag feels like an exceptional roll of the dice—one you should think long and hard about before taking. While I’ve never been a fan of this product because of the risk involved, but it’s certainly unique so I’ll include it here nonetheless. 

2023 Panini Optic Football (06/26)

Donruss Optic Football is set to bring some fun to the hobby in late June. There are 20 packs per box, each containing 5 cards, which makes the product with the most cards of any of the big optichrome Panini NBA products. These boxes are available for pre-order at $550. 

You’ll find 1 autograph per box, presenting options like on-card Rated Rookie Signatures, on-card Next Day Autographs for top rookies from the 2023 NFL Draft Class, and the Dominators and Rookie Dominators Autographs. 

New insert additions include Hobby-Exclusive parallels in the following Insert sets: Elite Dominators, The Rookies, Lights Out, and Raining 3s! Also, search for the new inserts Rising Suns and Red Hot Rookies!

You can also pull the new SSP inserts Slammy! and Alter ego, which can also be found in the Hobby-Exclusive Gold (#’d/10) parallel.

2023/24 Panini Impeccable Basketball (06/26)

Impeccable is a one-pack, 9-card box that contains 5 autographs, 3 base or parallels, and 1 silver insert, gold insert, or stainless stars non-auto. The Stainless stars are some of my personal favorite card designs every year.

While they’re not as much of a chase as some opti-chrome cards, they’re eye-catching. Unfortunately, this product doesn’t have a price yet, so monitor it as it gets closer to release. Previous years cost about $3,000, so tread lightly.

The big new addition for this year is the Elegance Rookie Logoman Autographs. This brand new autograph insert features a logoman from a specific game.

2024 Panini Prizm WWE (06/28)

The WWE Prizm set returns with a dynamic release for the WWE Universe, featuring 12 packs per box and 12 cards per pack. Each box, on average, includes 2 autographs, 22 parallels, and 12 inserts.

Collectors can find Hobby-exclusive Prizm parallels, including the highly coveted Prizm Black numbered to 1. The set also offers dual signed cards showcasing superstars from some of the most intense rivalries in WWE history.

Additionally, the always-popular Color Blast insert makes a comeback, promising to be a standout feature. Each box contains 2 autographs, 22 Prizms, and 12 inserts, making it a must-have for WWE fans.

What are you looking forward to ripping or holding? 

There are some big releases dropping in June and we’ve got our eye on several. Let us know what you’re most excited about on Twitter @CardLines, and subscribe to our free newsletter right here. Twice a week, we’re bringing exclusive hobby news, offers and tips straight to your inbox. 

Other sports card releases

• 2024 Topps Spotlight