In a surprising turn of events within the sports collectibles universe, Fanatics has announced its forthcoming control over the licensing rights for producing trading cards and stickers for the prestigious Premier League, the apogee of professional soccer, beginning from the 2025/26 season. This shift in ownership comes on the heels of Fanatics losing the license to Panini, who will retain its association with the league until May 2025.
Fanatics, renowned for acquiring the legendary Topps brand in January 2022, presently boasts rights to various prominent sports leagues and events, such as the NBA, NFL, UFC, and Formula 1, in addition to the Bundesliga and UEFA Club Competitions. The recent pact with the Premier League is slated to significantly fortify Fanatics’ repertoire, particularly augmenting its presence in the European market.
The Premier League stands as the domicile of six of the globe’s ten most valuable soccer clubs, garnishing a massive global fan following, thereby amplifying the potential influence of this collaboration. Will Brass, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Premier League, conveyed his excitement about the partnership, commending Fanatics for its dedication to innovation and its successful history in enriching fan interaction through collectibles.
David Leiner, the President of Trading Cards at Fanatics Collectibles, divulged to ESPN the company’s blueprint to propel the trading card sector in Europe, a realm that has traditionally been dominated by sticker collections. Leiner accentuated the Premier League’s fascination with Fanatics’ strategy not only pertaining to collectibles but also in their adept handling of player relations, pointing out alliances with renowned athletes like Tom Brady and Ronald Acuna Jr.
Moreover, Fanatics upholds e-commerce and licensed apparel collaborations with The FA and a number of Premier League clubs, ingraining themselves deeper into the fabric of English football. This fresh accord vows to redefine the collectibles panorama, offering enthusiasts across the globe a more immersive and all-encompassing collecting venture commencing in the 2025/26 season.
