In a groundbreaking development within the sports collectibles industry, Fanatics has emerged as the new licensee for producing trading cards and stickers for the prestigious Premier League. The shift will occur in the 2025/26 season, marking a significant transition from Panini, the current license holder set to continue until May 2025.
Fanatics, a key player in the sports memorabilia market, made waves in January 2022 with its acquisition of the renowned Topps brand. The company boasts licensing agreements with various prominent sports leagues and events, such as the NBA, NFL, UFC, Formula 1, Bundesliga, and UEFA Club Competitions. This latest deal with the Premier League further solidifies Fanatics’ presence, particularly amplifying its influence in the European sports collectibles sector.
The Premier League stands as the pinnacle of professional soccer and hosts six of the world’s top ten most valuable football clubs. With a massive global fanbase, the league’s collaboration with Fanatics is expected to have a far-reaching impact. Will Brass, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Premier League, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting Fanatics’ dedication to innovation and its proven ability to enhance fan engagement through collectibles.
David Leiner, President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, shared insights with ESPN regarding the company’s strategic vision to expand the trading card market in Europe, which has traditionally been dominated by sticker collecting. Leiner emphasized the Premier League’s interest in Fanatics’ unique approach to collectibles and praised the company’s successful management of player relationships, exemplified by partnerships with star athletes like Tom Brady and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Beyond trading cards, Fanatics has already established e-commerce and licensed apparel partnerships with The FA and multiple Premier League clubs, deepening its involvement in English football. This new licensing agreement is poised to revolutionize the collectibles landscape, promising fans worldwide a more immersive and expansive collecting experience once the 2025/26 season kicks off. With Fanatics at the helm, the future of Premier League card and sticker collecting looks brighter and more exciting than ever.
