News

In a significant development for trading card enthusiasts and mixed martial arts fans alike, the UFC trading card license is transitioning back to Topps, courtesy of a newly minted exclusive multi-year agreement with Fanatics Collectibles. This collaboration, announced on Wednesday, reinstates Topps at the helm of producing UFC trading cards, a position it previously held from 2009 to 2020 before Panini America took over for a brief three-year period.

The deal, which was expertly negotiated with the assistance of UFC’s licensing agent IMG, marks a pivotal moment for UFC collectibles. The first product to emerge from this renewed partnership will be the 2024 Topps Chrome UFC, eagerly anticipated for release on February 28.

Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President of UFC Global Consumer Products, expressed enthusiasm about the reunion, highlighting the vibrant market for UFC collectibles driven by the sport's intense popularity and its standout athletes. This collaboration is set to cater to the fervent UFC fanbase, offering them new avenues to engage with the sport and their favorite fighters through collectibles.

Mike Mahan, CEO of Fanatics Collectibles, shared the excitement, emphasizing the popularity of UFC trading cards among collectors and the company's commitment to innovating 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 line through athlete interviews and live card breaks featuring fighters. This initiative aims to deepen the connection between fans and fighters, enriching the collecting experience.

Moreover, UFC and Fanatics already share a productive partnership in the realm of memorabilia and apparel, with products available both at events and online through UFC Commerce. This new deal with Topps under the Fanatics umbrella is poised to enhance the existing relationship, offering UFC enthusiasts an even broader selection of memorabilia and collectibles to celebrate their passion for mixed martial arts.