Basketball and collectible culture collided in central London last week as Topps officially unveiled its brand-new NBA 2026 Collection at the Fanatics Collectibles Store, marking the brand’s return to NBA trading cards for the first time in 16 years.
The London event was one of several launch celebrations taking place around the globe, each capturing the same energy that’s putting basketball collectibles firmly back in the spotlight. For UK fans, this wasn’t just another product drop—it was a moment, the launch signalling another milestone in basketball culture’s ever-growing presence on British soil and the start of a new era for the hobby.
Inside the store, fans came together to celebrate the moment, with NBA fans Darkest Man and Harry Pinero comparing pulls, packs being ripped open in real time, and collectors swapping stories about the cards they grew up with. The event was MC’d by one of British basketball’s leading voices—and occasional Complex UK contributor—Mo Mooncey (aka Hoop Genius), whose passion kept the crowd hyped throughout the night.
If the name Topps sounds new to UK audiences, it won’t for long. The legendary U.S. brand is an OG, having been at the heart of global sports collectibles for decades, creating some of the world’s most iconic baseball and football cards. Now part of Fanatics Collectibles—the sports powerhouse reshaping how fans engage with everything from merch to memorabilia—Topps has recently been making big moves across the board, not least in securing the sticker and card licence for the Premier League from the 2025/26 season onwards, after 6 years away. Now, with the NBA licence officially back under their belt, Topps is uniting generations of collectors on a global stage.
This new Topps NBA 2026 Collection is the comeback fans have been waiting for—blending the heritage of the hobby with next-gen innovation and global appeal. The set features today’s biggest stars, tomorrow’s breakout rookies, and certified legends of the game. It’s designed to bridge eras: for the OGs who remember chasing cards as kids, and the new-school collectors discovering that same thrill for the first time.
Here’s a look at the cards driving the most hype, and why they matter.
ROOKIE CARDS & DEBUT PATCH CARDS
Rookie Cards have long been the holy grail for NBA collectors—the first glimpse of greatness before the rest of the world catches on. From LeBron’s 2003 Topps Chrome to Kobe’s 1996 Topps debut, they mark the start of basketball history in motion. This season sees a new addition to the rookie-sphere: the introduction for the first time ever of Debut Patches in the NBA. Debut Patches are patches, roughly 4cm square-ish, that will be worn by every rookie on their jersey in their on-court debut. After the game, the patch will be removed from their jersey and placed into the ultimate 1-of-1 autographed trading card, exclusive to Topps.
Two hotly-tipped rookies to keep an eye out for are:
Cooper Flagg
The name on everyone’s lips. Cooper Flagg’s first official Topps card is already being dubbed “the next Luka moment” and the definition of a future grail.
Dylan Harper
Another rising name making noise across both draft boards and collector wishlists. Rookie chasers—the collectors who specialise in first-year cards—have their eyes on Harper and if he delivers on his promise these cards could quickly become the next major investment pieces in the set.
AUTOGRAPH CARDS
LeBron James
For the first time ever, courtesy of Topps, collectors finally get the opportunity to pull a LeBron James autograph card in a Lakers jersey. Nuff said.
Victor Wembanyama
Topps has landed its first officially licensed Victor Wembanyama autograph card—and that alone has collectors buzzing. Wemby isn’t just a player; he’s a phenomenon. Autographed cards from generational talents carry grail status—the crown jewels of any pack—and expect this one to dominate auction talk for months.
LEGENDS SET
A nod to the past, the Legends Set bridges generations. Whether you grew up watching highlight reels on VHS or discovering these icons through YouTube compilations, the presence of Shaq, Vince, Bird and Hakeem gives this set real emotional weight, connecting old-school fans with today’s collectors.
With the Topps NBA 2026 Collection landing this month and the NBA Collect by Topps app set to launch in November, the return of Topps to basketball marks a genuine moment for the game—globally and here in the UK. It’s proof that the OG of collectibles is back, bridging generations of fans and collectors with the same energy that made Topps a global icon in the first place. Don’t call it a comeback.
Explore the collection now at Topps.com