Fanatics Collectibles and UC3 — the joint venture between UEFA and the European Club Association — have reached a six-year extension of their trading card, sticker and trading card game partnership surrounding all UEFA club competitions — an extension that runs through 2033 and introduces new patch programs, including debut patches. The deal covers both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League, along with the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Super Cup and UEFA Youth League. All products will be designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand. Among the new program’s headline features is the Debut Patch, which has become popular in other leagues around the world and will be worn by players competing in their first-ever UEFA Champions League match. The partnership renewal was facilitated by Relevent Football Partners, UC3’s exclusive global sales and marketing partner (Fanatics Collectibles).
The campaign is “another foray into soccer for Fanatics,” with the Debut patch campaign appearing at this summer’s World Cup. The program originated in MLB and has since expanded to include the NFL, NBA, Bundesliga, F1, MLS, UFC and WWE (THE ATHLETIC, 9/2).
