When it comes to collecting sports cards in 2025, two brands dominate the conversation: Panini and Topps. Whether you're chasing the hottest rookie hits, vintage vibes, or looking to build an investment-worthy collection, Panini and Topps offer collectors and investors something unique. But which one truly leads the sports card market this year? Let’s break it down.
Panini vs. Topps: A Battle of the Two Titans
Panini and Topps are the undisputed titans of the sports card industry.
Panini rose to prominence in the late 2000s and has since become the go-to brand for basketball and football collectors thanks to licensing deals with the NBA and NFL. It also has a major presence in soccer, with sets covering top leagues and international competitions.
Topps, founded in 1938, is the original heavyweight. Known for its historic place in baseball card history, Topps continues to produce popular MLB and soccer products, and has expanded its reach with the return of licensed NFL (and soon NBA) cards under its brand through Fanatics.
Both brands have deep roots and a global reach across multiple sports, shaping the modern hobby as we know it.
What Makes Panini Stand Out?
Panini has dominated the modern card landscape, particularly in NBA, NFL, and soccer cards. Their licenses with the NBA and NFL have allowed them to produce the most sought-after basketball and football cards on the market.
Fan-favourite Panini products include:
-
Prizm: Known for its chromium finish and valuable parallels
-
Select: Featuring tiers and levels of rarity
-
Donruss & Optic: Beloved for Rated Rookies and iconic inserts
-
National Treasures: High-end cards featuring premium patches and on-card autos
Panini has also been at the forefront of innovations in:
-
Autograph and relic cards
-
Case hits and ultra-rare inserts
-
Panini Rewards and online-exclusive releases
What Makes Topps Stand Out?
Topps' legacy in the sports card world is unmatched. As the original name in baseball cards, Topps has continued to produce nostalgic and modern sets that appeal to collectors of all generations.
Standout Topps products include:
-
Topps Chrome: A staple for shiny rookie chases
-
Bowman: The home of prospecting, especially in baseball
-
Heritage: Retro designs meet modern players
Topps has also expanded into soccer and is regaining ground in football and basketball under Fanatics.
Vintage collectors often gravitate to Topps for its long-standing brand equity, while newer collectors appreciate how the company blends nostalgia with sleek modern design.
Comparing Panini and Topps Cards Across Different Sports
Basketball Cards
Panini is the undisputed king of basketball cards in 2025. With their NBA licensing, Panini produces every major basketball set including Prizm, Donruss, and National Treasures. Topps is not currently in the licensed NBA space but is set to return in the coming years.
NFL Cards
Panini continues to lead in NFL cards with hits from Prizm, Mosaic, and Select. However, Topps has re-entered the football space via Fanatics and is building momentum.
Baseball Cards
Topps holds the MLB license and dominates this space. Bowman and Topps are staples for baseball fans. Panini creates unlicensed sets with solid design, but they lack official team logos.
Soccer Cards
Both brands are strong here. Panini’s Prizm and Select sets offer top-tier soccer content, especially for international tournaments. Topps counters with Chrome and Museum Collection for Champions League and other competitions like the MLS.
The Value of Panini vs. Topps Cards Across Sports
In terms of raw market value, Panini NBA and NFL cards often command higher resale prices due to their exclusive licenses and chase inserts. Sets like National Treasures and Flawless produce some of the highest-value cards in the hobby.
Topps baseball cards, particularly vintage and Bowman first cards, are seen as long-term value assets. They remain iconic and continue to appreciate, especially when it comes to rookies and Hall of Fame players.
Both brands offer investment-worthy cards—it depends on the sport and the specific product.
Which Brand Appeals More to Collectors and Investors?
Investors tend to gravitate toward Panini for short-term flips in the modern NBA and NFL markets, where rookies and parallels can spike. Panini’s high-end offerings also make headlines with massive sales.
Collectors, especially those who value design and nostalgia, may lean toward Topps. Its clean layouts, throwback sets, and deep roots in baseball create emotional connections for many hobbyists.
Panini or Topps: Which Should You Buy for Your Collection?
There’s no definitive winner—it really depends on what you're collecting:
-
Chasing rookies and short-term flips in NBA or NFL? Go with Panini.
-
Long-term baseball investments or vintage vibes? Choose Topps.
-
Building out a soccer PC? Both companies will have something to offer.
Both companies have their strengths, and the best approach might be to collect across both depending on your sport of choice.
Start Collecting Topps & Panini with Cherry Collectables
Whether you're chasing the latest Prizm hits or diving into Bowman Chrome prospects, Cherry Collectables has you covered. Browse our full range of NBA cards, NFL cards, baseball cards, and soccer cards from both Panini and Topps today.
Start (or level up) your collection now with Cherry!
