Topps, known for revolutionizing collectible sports cards, is taking its innovative debut patch card program to the world of Major League Soccer. After a successful run in Major League Baseball, the debut patch card initiative will now celebrate rookie talent in the MLS, offering fans unique 1/1 rookie cards adorned with game-worn debut patches and player autographs in upcoming MLS product releases.
Expanding their initiative to Major League Soccer for the 2024 season, Topps will honor MLS rookies by incorporating special debut patches that players wear in their first matches. These unique patches will be carefully collected after the games and used to create one-of-a-kind rookie cards for future Topps MLS collections, each featuring the player’s signature to add a personal touch.
The process begins with the MLS Debut patches being sent to team equipment managers, who will attach them to the jerseys of first-year players using special adhesive. Once the players make their debut on the field, these patches will be removed with care and sent off to Topps, where they will be transformed into highly sought-after collectible cards for avid soccer fans and memorabilia enthusiasts.
Players who make their MLS debut before April 1 will be showcased in the 2024 Topps MLS product, while those debuting after this date will have their debut patches featured in the subsequent year’s series. This strategic timing ensures that the new talent entering the MLS is promptly recognized and commemorated within Topps’ lineup of card collections, adding excitement and anticipation among collectors.
As the MLS season kicks off with a thrilling lineup of matches, fans can expect an opening night clash between Inter Miami CF and Real Salt Lake. While the debut patch program may not showcase the likes of last season’s addition Lionel Messi to Miami, it will shine a spotlight on this year’s noteworthy newcomers like Luis Suarez, previously from Liverpool and Barcelona, and Hugo Lloris, the former goalkeeper of Tottenham Hotspur, creating buzz and excitement among fans and collectors alike.
The successful debut patch card program has already made an impact in Major League Baseball, with numerous MLB Debut patches from the 2023 Topps Chrome Update packages making their way to online platforms like eBay. By extending this program to Major League Soccer, Topps not only offers soccer fans a distinct way to connect with emerging talent but also continues its legacy of innovation within the sports memorabilia market, promising collectors and enthusiasts an exciting new treasure trove of unique and collectible cards to add to their collections.