Champions League Players to Wear 'Debut' Patches for 2026 Season, Will Be Used for Trading Cards

Following in the footsteps of other major sports leagues, the UEFA Champions League will incorporate debut patches on the jerseys of debuting players during 2026-27 Champions League play.

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the patches are a result of a deal between UEFA and Fanatics, and they will be used to create ultra-rare and desirable Topps trading cards.

The debut patch cards have been a major hit in other sports leagues, including MLB, NBA, WWE, UFC and Formula 1.

Topps already forayed into soccer before with MLS debut patch cards, and the program is also coming to the German Bundesliga and the FIFA World Cup, as well as the NFL.

Champions League debutants will wear the debut patches, which will incorporate the UCL's "starball" logo. Only players who actually appear in matches will qualify to have their patches taken and put into cards.

Topps' debut patch cards have become among the most highly sought after cards in the entire hobby due to their scarcity, as every debut patch card is a one-of-one, complete with the game-worn patch and an autograph.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace starting pitcher Paul Skenes' debut patch card sold for $1.1 million last year, and Dallas Mavericks star and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg will see his debut patch card go up for auction soon.

Topps is expected to be able to obtain the debut patches and begin work on the cards for the UEFA Champions League during the 2026-27 campaign, per Ornstein, while the Women's Champions League is expected to follow in 2027-28.