Fanatics has secured an exclusive FIFA collectibles license covering trading cards, stickers, and trading card games — ending Panini’s tenure at the sport’s biggest tournament.
FIFA and Fanatics have signed a long-term, exclusive collectibles licensing deal that includes trading cards, stickers, and trading card games. The financial terms of the agreement, which covers both physical and digital collectibles, were not disclosed. Described as “a landmark agreement,” the collectibles deal builds on FIFA and Fanatics’ already wide-ranging commercial relationship. Fanatics serves as the official on-site retail and merchandising operator for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including in-stadium retail operations as well as FIFA Fan Festival retail experiences.
The new collectibles agreement with Fanatics will end Panini’s decades-long FIFA World Cup sticker license. After the 2030 tournament, Panini will no longer provide its World Cup sticker albums, which it has produced since the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Beginning in 2031, Fanatics-owned Topps will produce World Cup trading cards, stickers, and trading card games.
Fanatics Founder and CEO, Michael Rubin, commented: “This is truly a historic day in our company’s history. Global football is the biggest growth opportunity in sports, and when you combine the power of FIFA with the innovation and entrepreneurial backbone of Fanatics, together we’re poised to elevate storytelling and collectibles around the game in a way that’s never been seen before.”
As a part of the agreement, Fanatics will also support youth football globally by distributing more than $150 million in collectibles free of charge throughout the lifetime of the partnership.
