Top-Tier Football Card Brands for Collectors

Football cards have become a beloved collectible for fans and enthusiasts around the world, offering a thrilling glimpse into the storied history of the sport. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer looking to start your own collection, choosing the best brands is crucial in capturing the essence of the game. Some brands stand out for their quality, rarity, and the ability to capture iconic moments and players. If you're curious to learn which brands make the cut as the best in the world of football cards, look below to discover a list that combines quality, nostalgia, and investment potential.

Illustration of football cards

Best brands of football cards in 2025

Panini

Panini is a leading producer of football cards, known for its high-quality and highly sought-after sets. Since 2016, Panini has held the exclusive license to produce NFL cards, significantly boosting its market share and surpassing Topps, which had dominated the market for over a decade. Panini's Prizm series is particularly popular among collectors, although Topps still dominates the list of the most graded football card sets of all time. The demand for Panini's cards has contributed to the overall growth of the sports trading card market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2024 to 2032. Panini's partnership with FIFA and other sports leagues further solidifies its position in the market. For a detailed insight into the growth of football cards, check out this comprehensive analysis.

Topps

Topps is a seminal brand in the football card market, having dominated the industry for 34 years starting from 1955, with over 90% of graded cards coming from Topps sets during most of those years. Despite losing exclusivity to Panini in 2016, Topps remains a major player, with its base sets still holding every position except one in the list of the 25 most graded football card sets of all time. The brand's market share, although fluctuating, has been significant, and its cards continue to be highly sought after by collectors. Topps' influence is also evident in the vast increase in the number of football sets and graded cards over the years, with the number of sets increasing by 5,500% from 1960 to 2019. This legacy underscores Topps' enduring impact on the sports trading card market. For more insights into the growth of football cards, check out this visual guide on Sports Card Investor.

Upper Deck

The Upper Deck Company is a prominent player in the sports trading cards market, particularly renowned for its high-quality football cards. As of 2022, autograph cards, a category in which Upper Deck excels, held the largest market share at 40.86% due to their unique and valuable nature for fans. Upper Deck's focus on product innovations and strategic partnerships has helped the company maintain a strong presence in the market. The company's commitment to authenticity and rarity, such as with on-card autograph cards, contributes to the growing demand for these collectibles. The North American market, where Upper Deck has a significant presence, accounted for around 60.89% of the global sports trading cards market share in 2023.

Leaf

Leaf Trading Cards, founded in 2010 by Brian Gray, is a prominent producer of sports trading cards, particularly excelling in football cards. The company, based in Dallas, Texas, has focused on signing exclusive deals with rising stars in football and basketball and has been innovative in the area of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the high school and collegiate level. Leaf does not have licenses with the major US sports leagues but has successfully produced cards for niche sports and up-and-coming prospects. The global sports trading cards market, in which Leaf operates, was valued at USD 9.69 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.01% from 2023 to 2030. Leaf's aggressive strategies in the market have made it a significant player in the sports collectibles industry.

Donruss

Donruss, a renowned brand in the sports trading card industry, has been a significant producer of football cards, particularly notable for its innovative and high-quality products. Under the ownership of Pinnacle Brands, Donruss expanded its sports licenses to include NFL cards, introducing premium lines such as the Elite Series, which featured serial-numbered and autographed cards. Despite facing financial challenges, Donruss continued to produce distinctive cards, including those with actual materials like metal, leather, and wood inserts. In the early 2000s, Donruss Playoff LP maintained its presence in the market with products like Donruss Classics and Donruss Diamond Kings. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among football card collectors. For more details, visit the Donruss Wikipedia page.

Score

The Score brand is renowned as one of the best producers of football cards, offering a comprehensive and engaging collecting experience. The 2024 Panini Score Football, for instance, features a massive 400-card base set, including 100 rookies, along with dynamic inserts, autographs, and exclusive numbered parallels. This product is particularly notable for its extensive roster of chase-worthy hits, making it a favorite among collectors. The autograph cards segment, which includes Score products, holds a significant market share, with autograph cards expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.40% from 2023 to 2030 and accounting for 61.59% of the global market by 2030. For more details, check out the 2024 Panini Score Football retail box.

Futera

Futera is a leading global producer of high-quality sports trading cards, particularly renowned for its football cards, with a 30-year history since its founding in 1989. The company has been the Official Trading Card Licensee for numerous prominent football clubs, including FC Barcelona, PSG, Liverpool, and Arsenal. Futera's football card collections feature premium materials, limited-edition releases, and unique inserts such as on-card autographs, game-used memorabilia, and 23ct gold plated framed cards. In 2023, Futera reported a revenue of $30 million with a CAGR of 7%, reflecting its strong market presence. The company's headquarters is in Dubai, with operational bases in Southeast Asia and print and distribution facilities in the UK, Europe, and Asia.

Bowman

The Bowman brand is renowned for its significant contribution to the football card collecting industry, particularly with its inaugural 1948 Bowman Football card set, which consisted of 108 cards and featured key rookie cards of multiple Hall of Fame players such as Steve Van Buren and Sid Luckman. This set marked the beginning of modern football card collecting, ensuring that every season since 1948 has seen the release of professional football cards. Bowman's design simplicity and strong rookie class have made the 1948 set highly appreciated by vintage collectors. Although Bowman was eventually overtaken by Topps and ceased producing cards in 1955, the brand was resurrected by Topps in 1989 and has since become a top brand for rookie cards. Bowman's legacy continues to influence the sports card market. For more detailed information about the 1948 Bowman Football card set, you can visit their dedicated page on Cardboard Connection.

Rittenhouse Archives

Rittenhouse Archives is not specifically known for producing football cards, but it is a renowned brand for creating high-quality nonsport trading cards, particularly for franchises like Star Trek, Game of Thrones, and Doctor Who. They are celebrated for their detailed artwork and limited edition releases, which often include autographed and game-used memorabilia cards. For example, their Game of Thrones sets, such as "Legends of the Realm" and "House of the Dragon Season One," feature extensive checklists and unique collectibles. Rittenhouse Archives' attention to detail and commitment to authenticity make their cards highly valued among collectors. However, for football cards, collectors typically look to other brands like Topps or Upper Deck. To explore their extensive range of collectible card offerings, you can visit their official website.

Sage

The Sage brand is renowned for producing affordable and accessible football cards, particularly the 2024 Sage Hit Football High Series, which offers 60 cards per box, including 3 autographs and exclusive silver and blue parallels. This series is suitable for ages 6 and up, making it a great entry-level product for collectors. While Sage may not hold a college license anymore, it remains a popular choice for those seeking cheap rookie cards or autographs. The 2024 Sage Hit Football High Series Blaster Box is priced at $18.99, providing a budget-friendly option for collectors. With a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, it is clear that Sage cards are valued for their fun and collectible nature.