Top NFL Card Brands: Score Big with These Collectibles!

The world of NFL cards offers enthusiasts a nostalgic and exciting journey into the realm of American football memorabilia. From rookie cards capturing the early careers of football legends to limited edition releases featuring stunning artwork and autographs, there is a brand that caters to every collector's taste. Leading the industry are brands that consistently provide quality, creativity, and value, drawing in both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike. To explore the top brands that stand out in the vibrant NFL card market, discover more below.

Illustration of nfl cards

Best brands of nfl cards in 2025

Panini America

Panini America is a leading producer of NFL trading cards, holding a 50% market share in the NFL card market in the U.S. The company is known for its high-demand products, such as the 2022 Absolute Football box, which sold out within two days of its release. Panini's strong retail market and hobby card sales, including double-digit growth in retail units, highlight its dominance in the sports card industry. With exclusive licenses for major sports leagues, including the NFL, NBA, and NHL, Panini continues to innovate and engage collectors through various product lines and marketing strategies. However, Panini is set to lose its NFL license in 2026, marking a significant change in the industry landscape. You can learn more about their offerings on the official Panini America website.

Topps

Topps is a renowned brand in the sports trading card industry, particularly notable for its dominance in NFL cards. From 1955 to 1989, Topps held a 34-year streak as the most popular football card brand, with over 90% of graded cards coming from Topps sets in most years. Although Panini gained exclusivity with the NFL in 2016, Topps still maintains a significant presence, with its base sets dominating the list of most graded football card sets. The number of football card sets has increased dramatically, with a 5,500% rise from 1960 to 2019, and Topps has been a key player in this growth. Despite losing exclusivity, Topps remains a beloved brand among collectors. For more insights on the growth of football cards, check out this visual guide to football card growth.

Donruss

Donruss, now owned by Panini America, has been a significant player in the sports trading card market, particularly notable for its NFL cards. Since its entry into the sports card market in 1981, Donruss has produced a variety of high-quality cards, including innovative insert cards such as those made from metal, leather, and canvas. In the 1990s, Donruss held around 8% of the market share, competing with other major brands like Topps and Upper Deck. The brand is known for its affordable yet valuable collections, such as the Donruss and Score brands, which are popular among both kids and adult collectors. Donruss cards, including the Donruss Elite and Leaf Limited lines, have been highly regarded for their limited edition and autographed inserts. For more detailed information on Donruss trading cards, visit Baseball Card Pedia.

Upper Deck

Upper Deck, though not the exclusive producer for NFL cards, is a prominent player in the sports trading card market, especially recognized for its dominance in the NHL with an exclusive license. For NFL cards, however, Panini America holds the exclusive rights since 2016. Upper Deck's strength is reflected in its high-quality cards and innovative features, such as autographed memorabilia and limited edition sets. The company's market influence is significant, contributing to the overall expansion of the sports trading card market, which is projected to reach USD 23.08 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.80% from 2024 to 2031.

Leaf Trading Cards

Leaf Trading Cards is a prominent player in the sports trading card market, particularly known for its innovative and affordable NFL cards. Under the leadership of President Josh Pankow, the company has made strategic investments in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, especially with top high school athletes, allowing them to be the first to market with rookie cards for these future stars. This approach has helped Leaf maintain a strong presence despite the dominance of larger companies like Fanatics, which has locked up major sports leagues. Leaf's focus on authenticity and unique offerings, such as dual autographs featuring notable figures like Al Pacino and Jimmie Johnson, sets it apart in the industry. The company's ability to provide semi-affordable cards for early investors has been a key factor in its success. For an exclusive look into Leaf Trading Cards with insights from President Josh Pankow, visit the article on ClutchPoints.

Sage

Sage is not considered one of the best producers for NFL cards; instead, it is known for being one of the cheapest sets available, often focusing on college players rather than professional NFL athletes. Sage does not hold a college license anymore, making its cards primarily valuable for very cheap rookie cards or autographs. These cards are more about the fun of opening them rather than the potential for high monetary value. Unlike prominent brands like Topps or Upper Deck, Sage cards do not command high prices unless they feature exceptionally successful players. The market for Sage cards is largely entry-level and not as sought after as other premium card sets. For more details, you can explore the discussion on the Sage Artistry cards.

Bowman

Bowman is renowned as one of the premier brands for NFL cards, particularly noted for its high-quality productions and significant impact on the collectible card market. Since its inception, Bowman has been a staple in football card collecting, with sets like the 1991 Bowman Football Cards featuring valuable rookie cards of legends such as Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice. The brand's popularity is further underscored by its inclusion of rare and highly sought-after cards, such as the 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Rookie Card. In recent years, the demand for graded Bowman cards has increased, with PSA 10 graded cards making up over 60% of the market since 2007. Bowman's commitment to quality and rarity has solidified its position as a leader in the NFL card collecting community.

Fleer

Fleer is a renowned producer of NFL cards, having entered the market in 1960 with cards featuring the American Football League (AFL) and later gaining the right to produce NFL cards after a landmark lawsuit in 1980 broke Topps' monopoly. By 1988, Fleer's sales had risen to $51 million, with a significant portion attributed to its sports cards, including NFL sets. Fleer's annual sales in the late 1980s were bolstered by its expansion into basketball and football cards, making it one of the top three trading card companies alongside Topps and Donruss. The company's merger with SkyBox International in 1995 further solidified its position in the sports trading card market. Fleer's NFL cards have been highly sought after by collectors, contributing to the company's substantial market share. For more information, you can read about Fleer's history and impact on the card industry.

Score

Score is one of the prominent producers of NFL cards, known for its consistent and high-quality releases. The 2024 Score Football set, for example, features a base set of 400 cards, including 100 rookies from the NFL Draft, and includes various inserts and parallels such as End Zone, Showcase, and Gem Masters. Score broke Topps' dominance in the football card market in 1989, coinciding with the rookie years of notable players like Troy Aikman and Barry Sanders. The brand's sets often include autographs and other special features, making them highly sought after by collectors. Since its inception, Score has maintained a strong presence in the market, particularly with its early-season releases.

Rookies & Stars

The Rookies & Stars brand is a highly regarded producer of NFL cards, celebrated for its vibrant and collectible offerings. Since Panini became the exclusive NFL card company in 2016, Rookies & Stars has continued to grow in popularity, featuring a 200-card base set split evenly between rookies and stars, along with powerful autograph-memorabilia combinations and chase-worthy inserts like Crusade and Thrillers. Each hobby box delivers two autographs, two memorabilia cards, five numbered base or rookie cards, and various inserts and parallels. The brand's autograph cards, such as those in the Airborne Signatures and Crusade Signatures sets, are particularly valuable, contributing to the segment's 40.86% market share in the sports trading cards market. This product is a favorite among collectors for its rich content and historical significance.