Fanatics is poised to significantly expand its influence in the global collectibles market by securing future exclusive licensing rights for trading cards and sticker albums tied to major national football teams, previously held for decades by Panini.
Through its subsidiary Topps, Fanatics is expected to gradually take over official licensing rights for some of the world’s most prominent national teams, including Brazil national football team, England national football team, Germany national football team, and Italy national football team.
Staggered Licensing Timeline
According to sources familiar with the agreements, the transition of rights will happen over several years:
- Brazil: starting in 2027
- England and Germany: starting in 2031
- Italy: starting in 2035
These staggered start dates reflect long-term agreements that will gradually shift control from Panini to Fanatics over the next decade.
What the Licensing Rights Include
The agreements grant Fanatics and Topps the ability to use the federations’ intellectual property, including:
- Official names, logos, and crests
- Kit designs and branding elements
- Player images when representing national teams in competition
This enables the production of officially licensed trading cards and sticker collections featuring current national team players. The rights also extend to special editions such as autograph cards and memorabilia-based collectibles.
However, inclusion of retired players will require separate licensing agreements, as those rights are not automatically covered under federation deals.
Impact on Panini’s Longstanding Dominance
Panini has historically dominated the football sticker and trading card market, maintaining partnerships with several federations for over 60 years. The loss of these key licenses marks a major shift in the industry and significantly reduces Panini’s global football portfolio.
At the same time, Panini still retains important rights, including the production of official sticker albums and trading cards for upcoming FIFA World Cups in 2026 and 2030 under FIFA.
Growing Influence of Fanatics in Football
Fanatics has been steadily building its presence across global sports licensing. Its expansion into football complements its existing dominance in other major sports properties and leagues.
The company has also strengthened its relationship with FIFA through retail partnerships and large-scale event activations, further signaling its long-term ambitions in the football ecosystem.
Legal and Competitive Context
The shift in licensing rights is taking place against the backdrop of ongoing legal disputes between Fanatics and Panini, with both companies accusing each other of anti-competitive behavior.
These developments highlight the increasing competition in the sports collectibles industry, where exclusive licensing agreements play a critical role in market control and revenue generation.
Industry Implications
Fanatics’ continued acquisition of high-profile licenses suggests a consolidation trend in the collectibles market. If similar deals extend to other federations or competitions in the future, it could reshape how trading cards and sticker products are produced, distributed, and branded globally.
For now, the transition of these key national team licenses marks one of the most significant changes in the sports collectibles landscape in decades.