The 2025-26 NBA season is here, and that means a new set of basketball cards are also coming for both collectors and investors to get their hands on.
There are plenty of reasons to get excited about this year’s NBA and its licensed sports cards. For one, this campaign sees one of the most exciting rookie classes in recent history, led by Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, V. J. Edgecombe and many more.
Secondly, trading card company Panini is no longer producing NBA cards starting this season, with Topps returning to the scene after its parent company Fanatics won the NBA license.
Here’s everything you need to know about the highly anticipated 2025-26 Topps Basketball card release.
Key Takeaways
The Return of a Legend: Why Topps Basketball Matters
Topps officially took over the exclusive NBA license on Oct. 1, marking the first time that it is producing NBA-licensed cards since 2009. Prior to that, Topps produced NBA cards from 1957 to 1958, and then from 1969 to 1981.
It returned in 1992 and dominated the industry until 2010, during which it produced the rookie cards of some of the most notable names in the league, including NBA legends Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
A Seismic Shift: The End of the Panini Era
Panini has been the main NBA sports card producer over the last 25 years, so Topps’ takeover certainly marks a big shift when it comes to design, quality and rarity of the cards produced.
Prizm basketball had been one of the most popular and collectible NBA cards over the past decade, and it will be interesting to see if the popular Topps Chrome Basketball will be able to live up to the same level of hype.
It’s worth noting that three of the 10 most expensive NBA cards sold are from Panini. Topps has no card that has reached the top 10 in sales, per CLLCT.
The Topps Flagship: Tradition Meets the Modern Hobby
With Topps’ return to NBA, fans can expect to see some of its most popular products like Topps Chrome, Topps Finest, Bowman Chrome and Topps Stadium Club.
It will also be interesting to see if Topps will also use its higher-end releases for baseball, such as Topps Sterling, Topps Dynasty, Topps Sterling, Topps Triple Threads and Topps Museum Collection, among many other sets.
Of course, Topps Basketball should also be an exciting one since it marks the the first release of Topps.
Investment Spotlight: Victor Wembanyama’s First Licensed Autographs
Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft, signed an exclusive deal with Topps leading up to his rookie season. However, with Panini holding the NBA license at the time, it meant that Wembanyama had no licensed autograph cards released.
The Hobby Landmark: Wemby Autographs Are the #1 Chase
Sure enough, that won’t be the case anymore. The 2025-26 NBA season will also see the first licensed Wembanyama autographed cards, which should make them really valuable.
However, Wembanyama’s first NBA-licensed autographs are not the only chase with Topps’ basketball products. NBA star LeBron James will also have his first official Los Angeles Lakers autographs, with Topps even recently posting the grail chase for its first release: the one-of-one LeBron autograph card.
JUST IN: LeBron James’ FIRST EVER Lakers autograph cards have arrived 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JhyaOo5KH4
— Topps (@Topps) October 17, 2025
It’s worth noting, however, that Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson won’t have autograph cards in Topps Basketball and other sets due to their exclusive licensing deals.
The Top Rookies to Collect in 2025-26 Topps Basketball
As mentioned, Flagg leads the 2025-26 rookie class, and as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, he poses the highest upside among the newcomers.
Sure enough, however, there will always be plenty of eyes on the lottery picks as Topps Basketball gets released:
- Cooper Flagg (Mavericks)
- Dylan Harper (Spurs)
- VJ Edgecombe (76ers)
- Kon Knueppel (Hornets)
- Ace Bailey (Jazz)
- Tre Johnson (Wizards)
- Jeremiah Fears (Pelicans)
- Egor Demin (Nets)
- Collin Murray-Boyles (Raptors)
- Khaman Maluach (Suns)
- Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)
- Noa Essengue (Bulls)
- Derik Queen (Pelicans)
- Carter Bryant (Spurs)
Parallels and Inserts: The Cards to Prioritize for ROI
Just like in any sports card set, there will always be base cards, parallels, inserts and autographs. Topps’ products shouldn’t be any different; however, a new license holder does mean that there will be new designs and new chases to collect.
Topps Basketball has a number of low-numbered parallels and super short-print cards that should not only command good money but also hold long-term value.
The Golden Mirror SSP Debut: What to Look For
One of the popular card variations that’s coming to Topps Basketball is the short-printed Golden Mirror cards.
The Golden Mirror card variation has been a highly sought-after product in Topps’ baseball product over the years. Now, it makes it way to NBA cards.
A Golden Mirror variation has a similar design to a normal Topps Basketball base card. However, it has different photo and features a gold Topps logo instead of silver. On the other side, it has a gold background.
Low-Numbered Parallels: Scarcity is King
Of course, the low-numbered parallels and inserts, particularly of superstars and rookies, are also some of the biggest chases in Topps Basketball.
Topps Basketball has a First Card 1-of-1, which means that it is the first card of the player off the production line. With that, Topps gives it a special 1/1 stamp.
The FoilFractor is the other 1-of-1 that has odds of 1:17,098 in Hobby box packs and 1:4,327 in Jumbo box packs.
There are also the Black Rainbow parallels and the Clear variant that are both numbered to 10.
Black rainbow has odds of 1:4,327 for Hobby packs and 1:433 for Jumbo packs. Meanwhile, Clear has 1:5,968 odds for Hobby packs, 1:1,518 in Jumbo, 1:13,852 in Blaster and 1:13,198 in Mega.
Nostalgia Factor: The Best Retro Inserts
Aside from the lower print-run cards, Topps is also mixing nostalgia in its first release of 2025-26 with its retro inserts, inspired by designs when it previously had the NBA license.
The inserts with retro concepts include New School from 1997-98, No Limit and Rise to Stardom from 2000-01, Clutch City Prospects from 2006-07 and Generation Now from 2007-08.
Box Battle: Hobby vs Jumbo vs Mega vs Value
The Topps Basketball flagship offers four box formats, with the main ones being the Hobby box and the Jumbo Hobby box. For fans looking for value for money, Topps also offers Mega box and Value box.
All four box formats have their own exclusive chase hits, although the Hobby and Jumbo Hobby guarantee an autograph and/or memorabilia card.
Understanding the Odds and Guaranteed Hits
According to Topps, for Hobby box, the main chases are the exclusive Victory SSPs and Golden Mirror variations, along with a guaranteed autograph or relic card.
For Jumbo Hobby box, an autograph and a memorabilia card are guaranteed, while the Sandglitter and Blue Sandglitter SSPs are the exclusive chases.
As for the Mega box, collectors can get the Holo Foil parallels, Aqua and Pink Holo Foil SSPs, as well as Rookie Photoshoot Autos.
Meanwhile, in the Value box, fans can chase for the exclusive Season Tip-Off Parallels, as well as 8-Bit Ballers, Power Players and Hidden Gems inserts.
As for the odds of hitting a major or chase card, Topps has released its odds for them. Packs odds are usually available on the pack and box as well. To understand the odds, if it says a card “1:87,” it means you’ll find that parallel, autograph, insert or short-print card once in every 87 packs.
Where to Buy 2025-26 Topps Basketball
The most reliable places to buy 2025-26 Topps Basketball cards are directly from the manufacturer on the Topps Official Website and its affiliate, Fanatics.
However, due to the high demand for this landmark release, Hobby and Jumbo boxes often sell out instantly. For these highly sought-after formats, you should also check reputable online card retailers/distributors or visit your Local Card Shop (LCS), although you can expect a significant price markup on the secondary market.
For more accessible formats like Blaster Boxes and Value Boxes (retail products), you can look at major mass market retailers such as Target, Walmart, and Costco, with some stores offering exclusive parallels.
Since this is Topps’ first flagship licensed NBA product since 2009, be prepared for swift sell-outs and check all sources frequently for restocks, especially on the official Topps and Fanatics sites.
Buy the 2025-26 Topps Basketball Value Box on Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, Last Pack Mojo earn from qualifying purchases.)
Quick Answers: 2025-26 Topps Basketball FAQs
What is the official release date for the 2025-26 Topps Basketball cards?
The official release date for the flagship 2025-26 Topps Basketball Hobby box is October 23, 2025, with other formats (Jumbo, Mega, Value) releasing shortly thereafter.
Why is the return of Topps Basketball such a big deal?
This marks the first licensed NBA basketball card release by Topps since the 2009-10 season, as the NBA trading card license has officially transitioned from Panini America to Fanatics/Topps. It reintroduces an iconic, long-standing brand to the basketball hobby.
What is the size of the base set for 2025-26 Topps Basketball?
The base set consists of 300 cards, featuring a mix of current NBA players, incoming rookies, and retired legends.
Will Topps use the 1980-81 retro design again?
As mentioned earlier, Topps is bringing back retro concepts and designs in its Topps Basketball release. That being said, one of the bigger subsets included in the product is the 1980-81 Topps Basketball Rookie Autographs. It is a 40-card autographed subset featuring the 2025 draft class on cards that were inspired by the 1980-81 Topps Basketball design.
Wrapping Up!
The launch of 2025-26 Topps Basketball is a historic event, marking the return of a beloved brand to the NBA. This is a moment for every collector to celebrate, as the set delivers a new wave of licensed rookie cards and classic Topps chase elements. Whether you find your packs through the official Topps or Fanatics sites, your local card shop, or major retailers for Blasters, the excitement of the rip connects you to an exciting new era in the hobby, and we at Last Pack Mojo is with you!
Savor the process — you’re collecting history!
