Collecting soccer/football cards is a fantastic hobby, allowing you to own a piece of soccer’s most memorable moments but getting into this hobby can be challenging for a beginner.
To help you get started, here’s everything you need to know about how to start collecting soccer cards.
What are Soccer Cards?
Soccer cards are collectible trading cards featuring professional players from worldwide leagues like the English Premiere League (EPL), La Liga, Serie A and Major League Soccer (MLS).
The History of Soccer Cards
Like other sports cards, soccer cards began as a marketing gimmick for cigarette packs. Photographs were modern technology at that point, and people were happy to pick up a photo of their favourite player along with the cigarette packet.
W.D. & H & O Wills made some of the first cigarette cards, which first appeared in 1887, but it wasn’t until the 1960s when Italian company Panini entered the world of soccer cards and captivated the market.
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Panini entered the market in 1961, producing a set about Serie A and World Cup seen in the image below.
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Merlin (now Topps) began printing Premier League cards in 1994
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Upper Deck entered the market for the 1994 World Cup
These were pivotal moments that started the hobby of soccer card collecting. Topps and Panini are still doing very well to this very day.
Why Are Soccer Cards Still So Popular in 2025?
Soccer is the biggest sport in the world and the demand for trading cards remain strong. Many collectors see soccer cards as investment potential; some see it as a nostalgic hobby, and others love the thrill of collecting rare items.
Future stars such as Bellingham, Haaland, and Endrick are also driving interest in rookie cards, and each year, there are new set releases that keep the hobby fresh and exciting.
How To Start Collecting Soccer Cards
The best way to start collecting is to decide which cards you want: Are you chasing a specific player? Team? Or perhaps cards from a specific series?
This will help you decide which brand you want to buy from. The two biggest manufacturers of soccer cards are Panini and Topps. Each company produces cards for different leagues and championships.
Topps vs. Panini Soccer Cards
Topps currently holds licenses for Major League Soccer (MLS), and UEFA Club Competitions, including the Champions League.
Meanwhile Panini holds licenses for FIFA World Cup, Serie A (Italy) and La Liga (Spain).
Starting June 2025, the exclusive provider of officially licensed Premier League cards will be Topps/Fanatics.
The choice between the two will depend on your preferences of players, teams, design aesthetics, and product types.
Storing Your Cards
The first step to collecting is having a way to keep your cards in mint condition. Store your cards using sleeves, top loaders, and storage boxes.
Types of Soccer Cards
Base cards: The most common type, featuring standard player images and stats
Rookie cards: are a player’s first officially licensed card from a major manufacturer. Rookie cards have a lot of investment potential, especially from talents who show potential to become household names like Ronaldo and Messi.
Parallel cards: A variation of base cards with unique foils, colours and serial numbers.
Autographed cards: Also known as “autos,” are cards signed by a player.
Relic/Jersey cards: Special cards that include a swatch of game-worn jerseys or memorabilia.
Insert cards: A card that is randomly inserted into a set. They aren’t part of the regular numbering and tend to have unique designs.
A good collection doesn’t need to be large and include thousands of cards—just the cards of players and teams you like, and visually striking ones.
The most sought-after cards are those with autographs or memorabilia: cards containing a piece of a player’s equipment like their jersey or shoes.
Types of Boxes
Which soccer hobby box should I get? There are so many on the market!
Indeed it can be confusing, but as a simple breakdown:
Budget Friendly Boxes:
Contains many base cards, lowering the chance of something rare. They can be a good starting point for beginners or a gift for kids.
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Topps Match Attax
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Panini Adrenaline
Mid-range Boxes:
Best middle ground value. Many collectors go for these.
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Topps Chrome
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Panini Select
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Panini Prizm
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Mosaic
High-end Boxes:
Provides the best chance of getting high-value pulls like RPAs (rookie patch autos) and rare inserts.
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Panini Immaculate
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Panini Impeccable
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Topps Dynasty
Leaf boxes are also a great option if you’re looking for some really nice-looking cards at a reasonable price, but they are not officially licensed.
What to Consider When Buying Soccer Cards
Here are key factors to keep in mind when buying soccer cards:
Where You Buy Them From
Where can you find soccer cards? They are sold at reputable hobby shops/local stores, online marketplaces, and official retailers like Cherry Collectables.
There are also “retail boxes” available at big retail stores. However, these can be complicated to find as scalpers sometimes buy them in bulk as soon as they are released.
Year of the Cards
The year a card was printed significantly affects its value. Older, more vintage cards are worth a lot more, and cards from a rookie player’s season can turn out to be the most valuable.
Singles vs. Packs/Boxes
Should you buy singles or boxes/packs? Singles allow you to get exactly the card you want and are usually more cost-efficient than opening boxes. However, especially in Australia, some singles can be challenging to find.
Meanwhile, boxes are more fun to open and are a great way to expand your collection, but you may not get the cards you want.
Graded vs. Non Graded
Graded cards are cards which are analysed under a microscope by a professional grading company like PSA, BGS or SGC and provided a score from 1-10 on the card’s condition. The card is then sealed in a protective slab, preserving its condition for life, and allowing it to be displayed nicely.
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Graded cards are more expensive but hold more value and trust.
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Non-graded cards are more affordable, but you aren’t guaranteed on the card’s condition like a graded card.
That should cover everything you need to know about how to start collecting soccer cards, but what if you want to sell them?
What to Consider When Selling Your Soccer Cards
Have some cards lying around? Or managed to pull a valuable hit? Here’s how to sell your soccer cards.
Where to Sell Them
You can sell your soccer cards on eBay or to a reputable shop. eBay has a large customer base for soccer cards, but the downsides are that it requires a bit more effort, and has platform fees you'll need to pay.
On the other hand, a trusted store like Cherry Collectables will buy your soccer cards if the price is right! See more details here.
What Price Should You Sell Them At
Check eBay’s recently sold listings for a rough indicator of the card’s price. Be sure to consider the card’s condition and whether it was graded, as these can affect the price.
Should You Hold or Sell
The best time to sell is if a card or player is trending. No-one can predict the future, but if you believe in a promising rookie, perhaps it’s best to hold their card for the long term. Meanwhile, rare vintage cards will always be in demand and you don’t need to sell them right away.
How to Add Value To Your Cards
You can add value to your soccer cards by keeping them in great condition and grading them to get a good score.
Alternatively, you might attract collectors willing to pay a premium by selling as a complete set.
So are Soccer Cards Worth Collecting in 2025?
Absolutely! Even in 2025, this is a hobby worth getting into.
There are many things to be excited about: the growing market, the new set releases, the community aspect, and the investment potential.
How to Learn More About Soccer Card Collecting
Here are some resources to learn more about soccer card collecting:
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Cherry Collectables Blog - Stay up to date on the latest releases, events, and collecting tips
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FIFA and UEFA websites - Learn about upcoming tournaments and player performances
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Soccer Card Subreddit - Join a community of collectors
Get Started Collecting Soccer Cards with Cherry Collectables
Start your collection with a hobby box from Panini or Topps, or find a single you like here.
