In a continuation of a partnership that’s become as familiar as peanuts at a baseball game, Panini America and USA Baseball have renewed their licensing agreement for the third time. This collaboration, which began back in 2012, is taking a big swing by expanding Panini’s rights to create trading cards for every stripe of USA Baseball teams, all while peppering their lineup with intriguing new memorabilia and a cornucopia of budding athletes.
Known for their vibrant and often sought-after trading cards, Panini’s connection to USA Baseball has long been a home run for memorabilia collectors. And as part of their latest agreement, they’re getting an even bigger slice of the pie. The renewed deal ensures Panini continues to hold exclusive rights to athletes from the hallowed Collegiate National Team, along with the youthful and energetic 18U and 15U squads. But here’s where it gets interesting: the 12U National Team is now part of the package, opening up a floodgate to future stars. This squad has been a farm of young prodigies that includes luminaries such as Pete Crow-Armstrong, the mythic arm of Paul Skenes, and the promising talent Anthony Volpe. These pint-sized prodigies now have their memories captured in Panini’s iconic card stock.
But it wouldn’t be a game-changer without pushing the boundaries of representation. Breaking fresh ground, the inclusion of the Women’s National Team offers a rare opportunity for Panini to spotlight female athletes in their trading card offerings— a step toward greater inclusivity and an overdue recognition of the diverse tapestry that USA Baseball represents. Imagine future collectors with trading cards featuring the dynamic women who don their nation’s colors, capturing their prowess and passion as part of this exciting expansion.
Panini Instant, a real-time card release platform, is all set for its moment in the sun. Known for its quick, reactive production, this platform will spotlight national team performances through limited-edition cards, produced at the speed of a highlight reel. Fans will need fast reflexes akin to a shortstop going for a homerunning fly ball to grab these cards, as they are released in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it window, encapsulating standout plays and career-pinnacle moments in cardstock form.
Panini’s influence stretches beyond just cardboard collectibles and into the sphere of prestigious awards. At the annual Golden Spikes Award, akin to baseball’s Oscars night, Panini will again grace the College World Series with exclusive trading card packs, a gesture as indispensable as hot dogs at a ballpark. This year’s event will be further enlivened by Panini’s creativity in Omaha ahead of the 2025 award presentation on June 21, reminding us all that baseball’s future stars are ever under their microscope.
Adding a splash of Panini flavor to the diamond, attendees at national team games this summer can expect to see one particularly eye-catching detail—the Panini-branded on-deck circles at the National Training Complex. These aren’t just artistic flourishes on the field; they get a second life as collectors’ items in the form of memorabilia inserts in the upcoming card sets. Alongside player-worn jerseys, which already proudly bear the Panini crest, they become tangible pieces of history—proof that being part of the audience is only one half of the fan experience.
A marriage founded on shared passions and mutual ambitions, the collaboration between Panini and USA Baseball has proven to be a scouting success. Since the first handshake, 212 baseball phenoms who once donned the stars and stripes in the purview of this partnership have been tapped in the first round of the MLB Draft. Ten of these prodigious talents ascended to the reigning heights of No. 1 overall—an accolade that echoes the prowess and scouting acumen at the heart of USA Baseball. Today, the legacy glows brighter with 586 first-round picks and 36 illustrious No. 1 overall selections having proudly played under the national banner.
As this energized union burgeons, collectors can brace for an enticing future where modern design meets raw athletic brilliance. Panini’s innovation meets the unpredictability and thrill of baseball, creating products that offer not just echoes of history but glimpses into what lays beyond the right field fence—a future of riveting rivalries, career-defining records and memorabilia that tells a broader story. In a world that cherishes its past but craves its tomorrow, this partnership stands tall, proud and ready to play ball.
