Topps, a well-known name in the sports memorabilia market, is taking its innovative debut patch card program from Major League Baseball to Major League Soccer. This groundbreaking initiative promises to deliver unique 1/1 rookie cards showcasing game-worn debut patches and player autographs in upcoming MLS product releases.
For the 2024 season, Topps is extending its debut patch card program to Major League Soccer. This program is designed to celebrate the talented MLS rookies by integrating special debut patches into their jerseys for their first game. The patches worn by these debut players will be collected and transformed into one-of-a-kind rookie cards for future Topps MLS product releases, each one adorned with the player’s autograph.
The process involves sending the exclusive MLS Debut patches to team equipment managers, who will then attach them to the jerseys of first-year players using adhesive on the back. After the player’s debut, these unique patches are carefully removed and sent to Topps, where they will be skillfully crafted into highly collectible cards for fans and collectors alike.
Players who make their MLS debut before April 1 will be featured in a 2024 Topps MLS product, while those debuting after this date will have their debut patch included in the following year’s series. This strategic timing ensures that new talent is promptly acknowledged and celebrated within the Topps card collections.
As the MLS season kicks off with an exciting array of matches, fans can anticipate thrilling games, including an opening night clash between Inter Miami CF and Real Salt Lake. Though last season featured the addition of international sensation Lionel Messi to Miami, this year’s debut patch program will focus on highlighting new high-profile arrivals such as Luis Suarez, known for his stints at Liverpool and Barcelona, and Hugo Lloris, the former Tottenham goalkeeper.
The introduction of the debut patch program to Major League Soccer follows its success in Major League Baseball. In the previous year, several of the 91 MLB Debut patches from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update packages made their way to online platforms like eBay, capturing the interest of collectors worldwide. The expansion of this program to MLS not only offers soccer enthusiasts a unique way to connect with emerging stars but also showcases Topps’ commitment to innovation within the sports memorabilia industry.
