Anchored by the return of Topps Chrome Basketball, this week's lineup of new releases is one of the biggest of the year.
From Select Football and Topps Pristine Baseball to Marvel Avengers Metal Universe, there is something for everyone.
Here's a glance at what you need to know about the key drops before you buy.
2023-24 Topps Chrome Basketball
Release date: Wednesday
Overview: Despite being unlicensed, the relaunch of the Topps Chrome Basketball brand is one of the biggest releases of 2024. After a 15-year hiatus in which Panini America dominated the NBA card landscape, Topps is making a comeback — though launching early without team logos has been a bummer for many.
Still, the secondary market has exploded for the product, with collectors focusing on rookie cards for Victor Wembanyama. Though his jersey won’t say “Spurs,” these cards will feature flagship autographs for the NBA’s latest megastar. There’s even a $1 million bounty out for his Superfractor 1/1 autograph.
Inserts: Topps immediately revamps classic inserts such as Youthquake, Finesse, Destiny, Coast to Coast and Seasons Best for the relaunch.
Among the new inserts are Superfly, Rock Stars, LETS GO! and Expose. Radiating Rookies, which has been a favorite among baseball card collectors, makes a jump into basketball. The all-new, yet controversial, Helix insert arrives too.
Parallels: Parallels play a big part for any chrome release, and Topps Chrome is no different. Expect true color refractors such as Green /99, Gold /50, Orange /25, Black /10, Red /10 and the Superfractor 1/1 to be among the most sought after. ** Autos and relics:** Hobby Boxes arrive with two autographs, on average, with sets such as Topps Chrome Autographs, Certified Rookie Autographs and 1972 Topps Autographs.
Due to an exclusive deal with Fanatics, Wembanyama autographs will be the most important cards in the set.
- Hobby configuration: 12 packs per box, eight cards per pack
- Box break: Two autographs, 12 insert cards or parallels, 24 base card parallels
- Secondary market value: $649.95 (subject to change)
2024 Panini Select Football
Release date: Friday
Overview: One of the most popular football products arrives with a massive five-tier, 500-card base checklist. Following patterns from previous years, tiers become progressively more difficult to hit, with Field Level expected to be the most rare.
Select Football also features the XRC Prizm Redemption, which promises to deliver top cards for the best players in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Inserts: While fan-favorite Starcarde jumps from basketball to football with a retro feel, Color Wheel likely reigns as the top chase among inserts. With a design similar in spirit to Color Blast, Color Wheel has grown in popularity since its debut.
Autos and relics: Jumbo Rookie Signature Swatches and Prime Selections Prizm Signatures both feature large pieces of memorabilia with autographs attached. Spectra Hall of Fame Signatures highlight some of the NFL’s all-time greats with what preview images show as on-card autographs.
- Hobby configuration: 12 packs per box, five cards per pack
- Box break: Two autographs, one memorabilia card, 15 Prizm parallels, six inserts, two Field Level cards
- Secondary market value: $999.95
Other releases:
- 2024 Panini Boys of Summer Baseball (Wednesday)
- 2024/25 Upper Deck MVP Hockey (Wednesday)
- Marvel Avengers Metal Universe (Wednesday)
- 2024 Topps Composite Football (Friday)
- 2024 Topps Pristine Baseball (Friday)
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.