Top NFL Trading Card Brands You Can't Miss

NFL trading cards have become a cherished hobby for collectors and sports enthusiasts alike, offering a unique way to celebrate one's favorite players and moments. Amongst the myriad of brands available, certain names standout due to their quality, heritage, and innovative designs. These top brands not only bring classic cardboard depictions of football legends to life but often include special editions, autographs, and exclusive memorabilia. To help you navigate this vibrant market and start or expand your collection, we invite you to explore our list of the best NFL trading card brands below.

Illustration of nfl trading cards

Best brands of nfl trading cards in 2025

Panini America

Panini America has been a stalwart in the sports trading card industry, particularly renowned for its NFL trading cards, although it is set to lose its NFL license in 2026. Historically, Panini has been one of the leading brands, alongside Topps and Upper Deck, in producing high-quality sports cards. However, with the rise of Fanatics, which acquired Topps in 2022 and will hold exclusive NFL and NBA rights by 2026, Panini's dominance is being challenged. Despite this, Panini continues to release popular unlicensed products like the Panini Prizm lineup. The sports trading card market, valued at $12.62 billion in 2024, is expected to grow significantly, but Panini's share may diminish without the major league licenses. For deeper insights, explore the analysis on the future of the Panini license.

Topps

Topps has been a dominant force in the NFL trading card market, holding a monopoly from 1955 to 1989 with over 90% of graded cards coming from Topps sets during most of those years. Their dominance was marked by a 34-year streak until Score entered the market in 1989. Even after losing exclusivity to Panini in 2016, Topps remains a leading brand, with its base sets dominating the list of most graded football card sets. The company's extensive card portfolios and iconic partnerships have solidified its position in the market. Topps' influence is evident in the significant increase in the number of football card sets and graded cards over the years, as elaborated in these 8 visuals showing growth in football cards.

Upper Deck

Upper Deck, although no longer licensed to produce NFL trading cards since 2010, was once a prominent player in the market, known for its high-quality cards and exclusive licenses. Before losing the NFL license, Upper Deck had attempted to negotiate a new deal but was unable to reach agreeable terms. Despite this, the company continues to focus on its other licenses, including those with the NHL and various entertainment properties. Upper Deck's cards, particularly those with autographs and limited editions, remain highly valued by collectors. The company's innovative approaches and global distribution networks have maintained its reputation as a significant force in the sports trading card industry. For more information, visit their Wikipedia page.

Leaf Trading Cards

Leaf Trading Cards is a prominent player in the sports trading card market, particularly known for its innovative and affordable NFL trading cards. Under the leadership of President Josh Pankow, the company has made strategic investments in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, focusing on top high school athletes to produce rookie cards before they gain widespread recognition. This approach allows Leaf to be first to market with cards of future stars, enhancing brand recognition and customer loyalty. The company's unique products, such as dual autographs featuring notable figures like Al Pacino and Jimmie Johnson, set it apart from traditional trading card companies. With the sports trading card market expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.01% from 2023 to 2030, Leaf Trading Cards is well-positioned for continued success. For more insight, visit their official website.

Score

Score is a renowned brand in the trading card industry, particularly celebrated for its NFL trading cards. Founded in 1988, Score has been a major player, producing iconic sets such as the 1988 Score Football, which featured 396 cards and included players from all 28 NFL teams. The brand is known for its high-quality card stock and exclusive autograph and memorabilia cards, making it highly sought after by collectors. Score's sets, like the 2024 Panini Score Football, offer comprehensive tributes to the NFL, including massive base sets and dynamic inserts. With a history of producing valuable cards, Score continues to be a favorite among football card enthusiasts.

Donruss

Donruss, founded in 1954, is a renowned producer of NFL trading cards, known for its innovative inserts and affordable yet collectible offerings. Acquired by Panini in 2009, Donruss continues to make a significant impact with its distinctive designs and captivating subsets, appealing to both casual and serious collectors. The brand introduced the "Rated Rookie" emblem, a hallmark of its products, and produced notable cards such as Cal Ripken's rookie card in 1982. Donruss also responded to market demands by upgrading card quality and introducing limited edition and autographed insert cards, enhancing its market presence. Its legacy in the sports trading card industry is marked by its diverse subsets and commitment to quality. For more insights into the top sports trading card manufacturers, you can visit Verified Market Research's article.

Fleer

Fleer is a renowned producer of NFL trading cards, having a significant presence in the sports trading card market since the 1960s. The company began producing American Football League (AFL) cards in 1960 and later gained the rights to produce NFL cards after a lawsuit broke Topps' monopoly in 1980. Fleer's annual sales in sports and entertainment cards amount to around $300 million, with sports cards, including football, contributing roughly $225 million of these sales. The company's innovative approaches, such as the introduction of the Fleer Flair premium trading card line in 1993, have enhanced its market standing. Fleer's history and legal battles have shaped the competitive landscape of the sports trading card industry. More details about Fleer's rich history can be found here.

Wild Card

The Wild Card brand, although not as highly valued as Topps, Panini, or Bowman, holds a significant place in the NFL trading card market due to its nostalgic appeal and historical significance. Originally, Wild Card was a major producer of NFL trading cards in the 1990s, but it faced financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy in 1994. Despite this, its copyrights remained intact, leading to a $25 million settlement with Panini America in 2023 over copyright infringement claims related to the "Stat Smashers" insert card designs from 1992 and 1993. The brand's legacy continues to influence the market, particularly with its unique and recognizable card designs. However, its current products are more aligned with the collectible level of Sage, Press Pass, or Leaf. For more details about Wild Card's NFL trading cards, visit the discussion on the Sports Card Forum.

Rookies and Stars

The Panini Rookies & Stars brand is renowned for its high-quality NFL trading cards, offering a blend of veterans and rookies in its sets. The 300-card base set typically includes 200 veterans and 100 rookies, with each blaster box promising one memorabilia card on average. The design features a strong vertical layout with prominent player photos and team colors, making the cards visually appealing. The rookie cards are particularly sought after, especially those from debut subsets like Action Packed and Airborne, which add to the set's allure. This product is a staple in the sports trading card market, which is projected to grow significantly, with the rookie card segment dominating the market. For more insights into the Panini Rookies & Stars Football, visit The Sports Bookie.

Bowman

Bowman, a brand under the Topps Company, is renowned for producing some of the most valuable and sought-after NFL trading cards. Notably, the 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady rookie card, graded BGS 9.5, is one of only 31 cards to achieve this grade, highlighting the brand's commitment to quality and rarity. Bowman cards, such as the 1991 Bowman Football set, feature iconic players like Emmitt Smith and Bo Jackson, making them highly collectible. The brand's focus on autographed and rookie cards has driven significant interest, with the sports trading cards market, including Bowman products, expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% in the autograph card segment. Bowman's legacy in the trading card industry is further solidified by its historical competition and eventual acquisition by Topps in 1956.