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After a few years on the sideline, Topps is back in the Premier League game — and they’re kicking things off with a flagship release that feels like a full restart. The 2025-26 Topps Premier League Soccer set marks the first release under the new licensing deal between Fanatics and the league. For longtime collectors, this also marks the return of a brand that was synonymous with English football cards for decades.
Topps held the Premier League license from the mid-90s until 2019, when it was scooped up by Panini. But after regaining exclusive rights last year, they’re wasting no time making their presence known with a massive launch.
This isn’t just a one-day drop. Topps is rolling out the set in stages:
UK retail launch hits shelves first on August 7
International retail launch follows on August 21
Hobby boxes release September 17
In between, there are a few special editions to keep collectors busy. A 24-pack holiday-themed Countdown Calendar drops on September 2, with festive exclusive parallels inside. Then on October 2, a Golden Boot tin arrives, packed with player-themed goodies and unique content. Expect other tins and retail pack bundles to pop up too.
Every card, no matter the format, will include a QR code on the back that connects to a new interactive collector’s hub. This should add a digital element to the chase and give collectors more ways to track and showcase their finds.
The core checklist includes 14 players per club, covering all 20 Premier League teams. That gives the base set a 280-card foundation, with subsets bringing the total to 450 cards.
Collectors can expect a healthy dose of parallels across all formats. There are over 15 colors in play, with some only available in certain boxes or tins.
Retail packs feature:
Blue parallels, roughly 1 in 2 packs
Yellow, 1 in 4
Green, 1 in 8
Sparkle parallels numbered from Aqua /499 to Platinum /1
Counter display retail boxes (28-pack format) offer Holo parallels in similar ranges.
Hobby parallels run the Rainbow path, starting at Blue /150 and dropping all the way down to Foilfractor one-of-ones.
Each retail pack guarantees three subset cards. Two of them will usually come from standard themes like:
Generation Now
Tekkers
Retro Threads
Full Force
Pro Partnership
Each of these has multiple parallel levels as well.
One card per pack will come from a rarer mid-tier subset like:
Beast Mode
Headliners
Pro Precision
The insert lineup for 2025-26 Topps Premier League Soccer is a mix of accessible favorites and tough-to-find monsters.
Chrome Kings returns and is inserted once every 10 packs. These cards spotlight one legend from each club on chromium stock. Special versions exclusive to tins include Gemstone parallels like Emerald, Diamond numbered to 25, Black Diamond to 10, and Ruby to 5.
Gold Lion is another highlight. Found once every 28 packs, these cards feature top players from each team with a golden background and a giant Premier League lion staring back at you.
Some of the tougher pulls include:
Premier Pulls, inserted 1 in every 100 packs
Diamond Rookie Cards, which drop once in every 500 packs
Other inserts include:
Golden Boot
Goal Machine
Hall of Fame
Perfect Storm
Heat Vision
Full Throttle
Home Advantage
Another version of Pro Partnership with different artwork
Retail collectors can expect to find Base Autographs roughly once every 168 packs. These autos also come in Sparkle, Holo, and Rainbow parallels, with print runs starting at /499 and going all the way down to 1 of 1.
Some inserts have signed versions too, including:
Beast Mode
Chrome Kings
Black Edition
Hobby boxes step things up with a hit-focused breakdown that includes:
At least one autograph
Two additional hits
Four numbered parallels
Two Chrome Kings inserts
Cards per pack: 10
Packs per box (retail): 28
Set size: 450 cards
Release schedule:
August 7 (UK retail)
August 21 (international retail)
September 17 (hobby)
This launch feels like a true homecoming for Topps. The design is bold, the insert themes are loaded with variety, and the checklist offers something for every type of collector — from casual fans to hobby lifers. With exclusive editions, QR integration, and a loaded release schedule, it’s clear they’re not easing back into the Premier League. They’re going all in.
