If you’re looking to buy or sell sports and gaming cards, check out eBay! *When you click links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Every year, Topps and Fanatics gather the hobby’s most important voices under one roof: shop owners, breakers, content creators, and industry insiders. The 2026 Topps Industry Conference took place from April 6th-8th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals, and it delivered some of the biggest announcements the hobby has seen in years. If you want to see how previous conference’s have been, check out our 2024 Topps Industry Conference recap.
From brand-new products to operational changes to future visions, here is everything revealed at the 2026 Topps Industry Conference.
The Joy of Collecting
Fanatics Collectibles CEO Mike Mahan opened the conference with a clear mission: get back to the joy of collecting. His message to shops and breakers was direct: the hobby needs every part of the ecosystem actively enhancing the collector experience, not just moving product. This tone-setting moment framed every announcement that followed.
Measuring Wax Health
One of the most talked-about slides was Topps’ “Wax Health” framework, rating products as Healthy, Inaccessible, or Unsustainable based on the gap between SRP and Wave 1 secondary market prices. Topps signaled a clear commitment to keeping product accessible, with more entry-level releases and more value boxes at MSRP on the way.
Building the Business of Joy
Topps framed their marketing philosophy around three pillars: designing the experience, “eventizing” the moment, and showcasing the product. Expect release-day activations and elevated hobby experiences to continue accelerating through 2026 and beyond.
New Product Announcements
Topps Royalty WWE: 6 Autos Per Box
One of the biggest product surprises of the conference was the announcement of a brand-new WWE release: Topps Royalty, dropping May 1st. The box configuration alone makes this a must-chase for WWE collectors: 6 autographs per box. Inside, collectors can expect ring-worn relic cards and premium autographed memorabilia cards with on-card signatures.
2026 Topps Chrome WWE: Signalz + Alternate Personas
Topps revealed two new additions to 2026 Topps Chrome WWE. The Signalz insert is a brand-new insert set coming to the product, and Alternate Personas cards will give collectors multiple character iterations of their favorite WWE superstars across different eras and characters.
2025 Topps Chrome Football: Sapphire, MVP Buybacks, and PREM1ERE Patches
Football collectors got a loaded announcement. Topps confirmed a Sapphire Edition for 2025 Topps Chrome Football, a premium and cracked ice version of the set. An MVP Buyback program featuring 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford will go live at the release of 2025 Topps Chrome Football. Collectors also got a first look at PREM1ERE Patch Autos, basically MLB Debut Patch Autos but for the NFL. These will be in 2025 Topps Chrome Football as well.
2026 Bowman Baseball: Gold Ink Autographs
Bowman got some love too, with Topps showing a first look at Gold Ink Autographs coming to 2026 Bowman Baseball. These Gold Ink Autos are limited to 15, and they look stellar.
2026 Topps Chrome UFC: Debut Patches
UFC collectors have something to look forward to as well. 2026 Topps Chrome UFC will feature Debut Patch cards commemorating fighters’ first appearances in the Octagon, bringing a concept that has thrived in Topps Chrome Update Baseball into the UFC card world.
Fanatics Collect: Redemptions Reimagined
This was one of the most operationally significant announcements of the conference. Redemptions are moving from Topps to Fanatics Collect, and the new system gives collectors far more flexibility. Once a redemption is pulled, collectors can transact the card at any point in the fulfillment process, not just after the card ships. There is also a possible Grade Guarantee on the biggest hits in select products, which would be a major value-add for collectors who plan to send cards to grading companies anyway.
Break to Vault
Another major quality-of-life improvement: cards hit in breaks can now be routed directly to the Fanatics vault, shipped home, or sent straight to grading. For break customers, this eliminates the middleman step of receiving a card and then repackaging and shipping it back out. Hit it in a break and decide what happens to it instantly.
Fanatics American Express Card
Topps and Fanatics also spotlighted the Fanatics American Express Card, framed as the card for serious collectors. Perks include 5% FanCash on collectibles and tickets, 2% FanCash everywhere else, no annual fee, front-of-line access to select Topps drops, and early access to the Fanatics Fest NYC show floor. For high-volume collectors buying wax regularly, the front-of-line Topps drop access alone could be a major selling point.
What It All Means for Collectors
The 2026 Topps Industry Conference sent a clear message: Topps and Fanatics are listening. The wax health framework, MSRP-friendly product commitments, the Fanatics Collect redemption overhaul, and the break-to-vault workflow all address real pain points that collectors and breakers have been vocal about for years.
Photograph Your Pulls with the Ludex Light Box
If you have awesome cards, you are going to want to show them off. The Ludex Light Box is built specifically for card photographers: it delivers consistent, studio-quality lighting in seconds so every card you pull looks as good in photos as it does in hand. Whether you are posting to social, listing on eBay, or building your collection on Ludex, the Light Box makes every scan and shot count.
Snap a Photo,
Get Prices & Card Details
Scan your sports cards & trading card games. Manage your collection, buy & sell with ease, and stay up-to-date on hobby trends.
Download Now
