Fans of the Premier League, get ready to up your collectibles game! In a groundbreaking announcement, sports merchandise powerhouse Fanatics is set to take the reins of producing trading cards and stickers for the prestigious Premier League from the 2025/26 season onwards. This move marks a remarkable shift in the sports collectibles universe, with Fanatics reclaiming the licensing rights for these coveted items after a five-year run by Panini.
Having already solidified its status as a major player in the sports memorabilia industry with the acquisition of the renowned Topps brand earlier in 2022, Fanatics can now add the Premier League to its impressive roster of sports partnerships. Boasting collaborations with top-notch leagues and events like the NBA, NFL, UFC, and Formula 1, as well as the Bundesliga and UEFA Club Competitions, this new deal with the Premier League is expected to give Fanatics an even stronger foothold in the European market.
The Premier League’s immense popularity, housing six of the world’s ten most valuable soccer clubs, coupled with its vast global fanbase, sets the stage for a highly impactful partnership with Fanatics. Will Brass, Chief Commercial Officer of the Premier League, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, highlighting Fanatics’ reputation for innovation and its track record of elevating fan engagement through collectibles.
In a conversation with ESPN, David Leiner, President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, shed light on the company’s strategic vision to expand the trading card segment in Europe, a region historically inclined towards sticker collecting. Leiner underscored the Premier League’s interest in Fanatics not only as a pioneer in collectibles but also for its adept management of player relationships, citing successful partnerships with marquee athletes like Tom Brady and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Beyond trading cards and stickers, Fanatics has deep-rooted connections in English football through e-commerce and licensed apparel collaborations with The FA and multiple Premier League clubs. This new licensing agreement is poised to revolutionize the collectibles landscape, offering fans globally a more immersive and comprehensive collecting experience once the 2025/26 season kicks off.
With Fanatics at the helm of Premier League collectibles, fans can anticipate a merge of innovation, creativity, and quality in their trading cards and stickers, bringing a fresh and exciting dimension to the world of sports memorabilia. So, start clearing some space on your shelves because the future of Premier League collectibles is about to get a major upgrade!
