Topps Premier League 2025/26 - Debut Edition

Set Checklist and Overview

By CardVis CheckList Team 9/19/2025

Topps is back in the Premier League! The 2025/26 release is a new Debut Edition celebrating the first Topps Premier League set since 2018–19. Topps replaces Panini as the official EPL licensee, and this standalone collection (styled after Topps’ Match Attax) drops in late summer 2025. In the UK and Ireland, retail packs arrive on Aug 7, 2025, followed by international retail on Aug 21. The Hobby edition (8 packs of 25 cards + a bonus 3-card Black Edge pack) releases on Sept 17, 2025. Hobby boxes (MSRP ~$159.99) guarantee at least 1 autograph and 2 additional hits each. Starter packs, multipacks and tins (Mega and Super Tins) will also be available, with items like binders and Gold Lion insert cards included in starter sets.

Release Date & Configuration

Topps has confirmed the release schedule as above. The Hobby format (8×25 cards + bonus) hits Sept 17, 2025, while multiple Retail formats hit earlier. Retail packs are 10 cards each (28 per box). In addition to standard blasters and boxes, Topps is offering packs and tins with bonus content. For instance, Starter Pack boxes include one Gold Lion insert and a full binder with a printed guide. Mega and Super Tins add extra Limited Edition insert cards. Notably, there’s also a Premier League Countdown Calendar (Holiday edition) arriving in October.

Base Set and Key Rookies

The base set runs deep. There are 280 player cards (14 per team: 13 players plus a team badge) plus special team-badge champions cards. The checklist spans rookies, veterans and current stars from all 20 clubs. Notable inclusions range from global superstars (e.g. Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne) to rising young talents. Among the top rookies to chase are Chelsea’s 17-year-old Kendry Páez and Bournemouth’s Julio Soler (both slated as Diamond Rookies, 1:500 rarity). Liverpool’s Romain Esse and Chelsea’s Estêvão also appear as 2026 rookie cards. Each team’s set includes its new 2025/26 kit photos. There’s also a special 2024/25 Premier League Champion Badge card (for Liverpool) among the badge inserts. Overall, the base ensures every club’s stars and prospects are represented, making it a comprehensive season snapshot.

Inserts and Parallels

The set offers a rich variety of inserts, often tied into the base numbering. Key base-numbered subsets include Breakthrough Ballers (BB), Full Force (FF) and Generation Now (GN) (highlighting rising stars) and Tekkers (TK). You’ll also find fun themes like Retro Threads (throwback kits) and Pro Partnership duos. Additional thematic insert lines include Beast Mode, Headlines and Pro Precision

Top-tier parallels and chase inserts abound: for example, the new Chrome King insert features legends on chrome-stock cards (1:10 per retail pack). Chrome King cards have exclusive Gemstone Parallels – unnumbered Emerald, then Diamond (/25), Black Diamond (/10) and Ruby (/5) parallels – available only in Mega/Super Tins. There are also Gold Lion inserts (with the EPL logo in gold foil) hitting roughly 1-in-28 packs. The Gold Lion set highlights current stars on a premium gold background (guaranteed in Starter Packs and rare elsewhere).

Limited Edition insert sets (often tied to specific formats) round out the chase. These include Big Game Baller, Globaller, Goal Machine, Golden Boot and Hall of Fame. Ultra-rare short prints like Premier Pull (1:100 packs) and Diamond Rookie (1:500 packs) are top collectables. The Premier League press release highlights many of these chase cards – e.g. Diamond Rookies (only 10 players) and Golden Boot rares In all, the parallels span numerous colours (Blue, Green, B&W, Gold, Orange, Black, Red and a 1/1 FoilFractor) for each base card, so collectors can chase rainbow versions of their favorites.

Autographs and Chase Hits

Hobby boxes guarantee at least one autograph (often more) and two additional hits (autos or relics). Retail packs have a roughly 1-in-168 chance to contain an autograph, a more generous rate than past soccer sets. Across the line, Topps has sprinkled autos through multiple subsets. “Base Autographs” are part of the main checklist, but there are also Hobby-only autograph subsets like Beast Mode Autographs, Black Edge Edition Autographs, and Chrome King Autographs.

- Hobby-exclusive “Beast Mode” inserts feature dynamic autograph cards of current stars (shown: Enzo Fernández). Each hobby box has at least one signed card, and even retail boxes average about one auto per 168 packs

- Premium Chrome King autograph inserts highlight legends on foilboard. For example, Sergio Agüero’s Chrome King autograph (a 1/1 Gemstone parallel) is one of the major hits. These cards combine Topps Chrome quality with serial numbering, making them highly coveted.

- Black Edge Edition autographs are an exclusive Hobby bonus (in bonus 3-card packs). These have a striking black design and are limited-run – e.g. the Alan Shearer autograph below is numbered just /25. Black Edge and Chrome King autos both give collectors legendary names (Shearer, Cantona, etc.) in modern insert styles.†

In addition to autographs, the Premier Relics line provides memorabilia hits (jersey and patch cards) in Hobby boxes. These include pieces of game-worn kits from past and present stars. For instance, Topps’ official previews show an “Official Memorabilia” card of Manchester United legend Zlatan Ibrahimović (with a kit patch).

Who’s This For?

The 2025/26 Topps Premier League set is built for a wide audience. Longtime collectors will appreciate the depth (280-player base, 24 inserts, extensive parallels) and new legends signatures. Premier League fans can chase cards of their favorite team’s stars and rising talents. Parallel and chase specialists will enjoy the rainbow parallels (some as rare as /1) and ultra-limited cards like Premier Pull and Diamond Rookies. Relic hunters can pursue the Premier Relics jersey and patch cards. Even casual or new collectors have reasons to get involved: the debut edition has strong designs (similar to Topps’ popular Match Attax look), and Starter Packs include binders and guaranteed inserts for an easy start. In short, Topps has packaged something for everyone – from hobby enthusiasts to fans who just want a piece of the new Premier League card action. Happy Collecting!