Topps, the renowned sports memorabilia company, is once again revolutionizing the trading card industry by introducing its exclusive debut patch card program to Major League Soccer. Following the success of this initiative in Major League Baseball, Topps is now extending it to the world of soccer, promising to offer unique 1/1 rookie cards featuring game-worn debut patches and player autographs in upcoming MLS products.
For the 2024 MLS season, Topps will celebrate the league’s rookies by incorporating special debut patches into their jerseys for their first game. These patches, symbolizing the players’ inaugural moments on the field, will later be collected, carefully removed from the jerseys, and sent to Topps for the production of one-of-a-kind rookie cards. Each card will be embellished with the player’s authentic autograph, adding a personal touch to these collectible items.
The process kicks off by sending the MLS Debut patches to the team equipment managers, who will expertly affix them to the jerseys of first-year players using a specialized adhesive. After the player’s debut, these patches are delicately removed, safeguarding their integrity, and sent to Topps’ headquarters, where they will be transformed into highly sought-after cards for avid collectors and fans.
Players making their MLS debut by April 1st will be featured in the 2024 Topps MLS product, ensuring that fans can get their hands on these unique collectibles early in the season. For players debuting after this date, their patches will be included in the following year’s series, guaranteeing that all emerging talent receives the recognition they deserve within Topps’ card collections.
As the MLS season kicks off with anticipation and excitement, fans can look forward to watching new talent take center stage in matches like the opening night clash between Inter Miami CF and Real Salt Lake. While international sensation Lionel Messi’s debut patch won’t be featured due to last season’s addition to Miami, this year’s high-profile newcomers like Luis Suarez and Hugo Lloris will undoubtedly attract attention and add excitement to the MLS debut patch program.
The MLB Debut patch program has already seen success, with numerous patches from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update packages making their way to online marketplaces like eBay. By expanding this program to Major League Soccer, Topps not only provides soccer enthusiasts with a unique way to engage with emerging stars but also continues its tradition of innovation in the sports memorabilia market. Fans can now look forward to collecting these limited edition debut patch cards as a special memento celebrating the start of promising careers in MLS.
