FIFA: Panini (trading cards), partner since 1970, to be replaced by Topps (Fanatics) from 2031

Fanatics, a manufacturer and distributor of licensed sports products, is extending its "already successful and wide-ranging commercial relationship" with FIFA to include its subsidiary Topps (part of the Fanatics Collectibles division) under an agreement that will begin in 2031, the body announced on 07/05/2026.

Topps, an American manufacturer of trading cards and stickers acquired by Fanatics for $500m (€441.3m) on 04/01/2022, has therefore signed a long-term, exclusive collectibles licensing deal notably covering stickers, trading cards and trading card games, across both physical and digital collectibles, for all FIFA competitions.

As part of the agreement, Fanatics has committed to "distributing more than $150m (€127.7m) in collectibles free of charge across the lifetime of the partnership in order to support youth football globally."

"One of the main innovations brought to fans through this new partnership is the highly sought-after player jersey patch programme, including debut patches, which will be inserted into football trading cards from 2031 onward," FIFA said.

The agreement…