8 Things We Found Out About The Topps Industry Conference

The 2025 Topps Industry Conference wrapped up with a flurry of announcements that offer a clear glimpse into the company’s roadmap for the coming year.

Held annually, the event brings together a broad spectrum of sports card stakeholders — from card shop owners and breakers to influencers and industry insiders.

While the panels and speakers (including a dry appearance by Gary Vee) may have lacked sizzle, the product news certainly didn’t disappoint. Here are the key takeaways from this year’s conference.

1. NBA License Officially Activates in October 2025

Perhaps the biggest headline-grabber: Topps will officially launch its NBA-licensed products starting October 1, 2025. Expect to see a frenzy of releases as soon as the ink dries, including Topps Basketball 2025-26, which appears to mirror the design aesthetic of 2025 Topps Baseball (think bordered, striped cards).

Names like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Victor Wembanyama, and rising star Cooper Flagg are expected to headline the autograph lineup — a first for some players who haven’t had licensed autos in years. Announced sets include:

• Topps Diamond Icons
• Topps Finest
• Topps Eternity
• Topps 3
• Topps Cosmic Chrome
• Topps Motive
• Topps Inception

Many of these are brand-new or revived lines, signaling a fresh start for Topps in basketball.

2. NFL License Coming in 2026

While collectors will need to wait until March/April 2026 for officially licensed NFL cards, Topps teased a suite of football releases. In the interim, we may see a run of unlicensed products — or a stockpile until the license activates. Expected products include:

• Topps Resurgence Football
• Chrome Blackhops
• Cosmic Chrome
• Topps Finest Football
• Signature Class (2025)

The announcement suggests Topps plans to ramp up production once the NFL window opens.

3. New Non-Sport Releases: Disney, Marvel, and More

Topps is expanding beyond sports into pop culture with licensed properties that include:

• Disney & Pixar cards – already attracting high resale values.
• Topps Chrome Stranger Things
• Dune cards
• SpongeBob SquarePants – a quirky addition that may surprise collectors.
• Marvel cards – with the possibility of actor autographs (think Robert Downey Jr., if deals get done).

The non-sport portfolio signals Topps’ commitment to broadening its appeal beyond traditional collectors.

4. Premier League Cards Keep Rolling

Topps will continue their hold on Premier League products, with a summer 2025 push that includes:

• Topps Merlin
• Topps Finest
• Topps Pristine
• Topps Chrome
• Royalty Collection

The June 1 launch window suggests Topps plans to take full advantage of the European football offseason.

5. “Red Rookie Shield” Redemption Program

One of the most innovative announcements was the Red Rookie Shield program. These special rookie cards, distinguished only by a red rookie logo, offer collectors long-term rewards.

They can be redeemed for Fanatics FanCash based on the player’s career achievements:

This initiative aims to blend collecting with “investing” in an athlete’s career trajectory. While the rewards may take years to materialize (especially for Hall of Fame status), it’s a clever way to encourage card retention.

6. Rookie Auto Exclusives & Panini Sabotage

Topps continues its aggressive pursuit of exclusivity, signing multiple projected 2025 NFL rookies to autograph deals — a clear move to outmaneuver Panini. Names mentioned include:

• Cam Ward
• Abdul Carter
• Matthew Golden
• Jackson Dart
• Luther Burden III
• Amecha Egbuka

Collectors may see licensed rookie autos for these players as early as March 2025.

7. Simplified Parallel System

Tired of guessing whether “Zebra Disco Lava Hyper Pulsar” is to /15 or /199? So is Topps. Moving forward, parallels will be standardized across all products.

That means, for example, a red parallel will be numbered to the same count no matter the set. This change is a much-needed simplification, especially as the refractor landscape has grown unwieldy in recent years.

8. Special Patches, Cut Autos, and Collectible Inserts

Continuing the momentum from debut patches, Topps will roll out:

• World Series patch cards from teams like the Yankees and Dodgers
• Bat knob cards – thick and coveted by hardcore collectors
• Cut autograph cards with Willie Mays game-used memorabilia, honoring the late legend

These inserts will likely debut in Transcendent Baseball and similar high-end lines.

Final thoughts on the 2025 Topps Industry Conference

The 2025 Topps Industry Conference outlined an ambitious and multi-pronged approach to the future of trading cards. With NBA and NFL licenses on deck, a growing non-sport catalog, and fan-driven innovations like Red Rookie Shields, Topps is clearly positioning itself for a post-Panini era.

Whether these moves reshape the hobby long-term remains to be seen — but in the short term, collectors have plenty to be excited about.