As the calendar flips to the first two weeks of May 2024, the sports card market alights with expectation. A variety of releases spanning baseball, basketball, golf, and racing are set to take center stage. Both regular and unique card formats make an appearance, embodied in the array of anticipated series slated for release.
Come May 1, 2024, the 2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball makes its return. Paying homage to the rare 1975 mini series, this online-exclusive set boasts a 500-card base set. Equipped with 24 packs per box, each with nine cards, the Hobby version also offers an autograph or relic, plus a box loader. The series is graced with Juan Soto’s debut on-card autograph in a Yankees uniform, creating quite the fanfare.
On the hockey forefront, the 2022-23 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey reclaims its place in collector circles. Each box is endowed with a single pack of four cards, promising one on-card autograph, one high-end memorabilia or autograph memorabilia card, one more memorabilia card, and a base or rookie card. Priced at around $160, these boxes already buzz in the online sphere.
Also announcing its arrival is the 2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball. Its release bolsters the collection of Victor Wembanyama’s rookie cards. With ten packs – each six-card strong – to a Hobby box, collectors can anticipate two autographs and 20 inserts.
As the second week of May dawns, the 2024 Bowman Baseball steps off the plate. Since its 1989 resurgence, Bowman enjoys continued success, now branching out into diverse sports. The 2024 edition hosts Hobby boxes with a solitary Chrome autographed card and Jumbo boxes with three autographs. Exclusive to retail boxes are the elusive green parallels.
Unleashed amidst the ebb and flow of the NBA playoffs, the 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Basketball adds more excitement. Enshrined within each box’s eight cards, collectors will find an autograph, a memorabilia card, and two inserts or parallels. Adding more sparkle to this release are Tim Duncan’s autographs, commanding attention in boxes with a premium price tag of around $500.
The May card release calendar serves up more treats with the 2024 Upper Deck SP Game Used Golf and 2023 Panini National Treasures Racing. Catering to golf and racing aficionados, these collections don’t skimp on high-end collectability.
May 10, 2024 brings the 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball into the limelight. As a mainstay in Panini’s basketball collection, Select boxes display twelve packs — each with five cards. Collectors will find three autographs or memorabilia cards among this selection. Known for its Prizm parallels and cardstock heavy with memorabilia, this release holds much promise.
Last but not least, the 2023/24 Donruss Soccer readies itself for release, with box configurations and key features soon to be unveiled.
The first fortnight of May 2024 promises a banquet of sports card releases. From traditional sports like baseball and basketball to golf and racing, there are enough options to satisfy diverse collector palates. Whether snagging Juan Soto’s maiden Yankees autograph or securing Tim Duncan’s sought-after signature, card enthusiasts are set for an exciting month.
