Topps Now is a unique baseball card program from Topps that allows them to produce cards for the most memorable and noteworthy moments from each MLB season within days of when they occur. For the 2023 season, Topps Now is poised to capture more amazing moments than ever before as the popularity of the on-demand cards continues to grow.
Topps Now started in 2016 as an experimental concept but has turned into one of Topps’ most popular modern products. Each week during the season, Topps selects around 10 notable performances, milestones, or events from the previous few days to commemorate with limited edition digital and physical cards. Subjects can range from no-hitters and cycle performances to playoff walk-offs and awards announcements.
What makes Topps Now so appealing is that collectors don’t have to wait months for the next official Topps Series 1, 2, or Update set to get cards for the hottest topics from the current season. Within a couple days of an exciting moment occurring, Topps has a special commemorative card available for purchase on their website with a limited print run. This allows for truly up-to-the-minute coverage of the action and keeps collector interest high throughout the entire season.
For the 2023 season, Topps has expanded their production capabilities which should lead to more diverse card subjects and larger print runs. In previous years, some potential Topps Now moments had to be passed over due to printing limitations. But for 2023, Topps plans to select closer to 15 cards per week, allowing them to highlight additional milestones, award winners, and individual player performances beyond just the most newsworthy stories.
Topps has also increased their distribution channels for Topps Now cards. In addition to remaining available directly through the Topps website and app, the 2023 Topps Now series will see wider retail availability through select hobby shops, card shows, and even some mass-market outlets. This broader distribution is aimed at exposing the Topps Now concept to more casual collectors and fans looking to commemorate a favorite moment or player.
On the design side, Topps continues to innovate with Topps Now. For 2023, collectors can expect some updated card templates with cleaner layouts that enhance the spotlighted action shot or stat line. Topps has also experimented with parallel and autograph variations of Topps Now cards that carry a substantial premium. These rarer inserts add intriguing chase elements for dedicated collectors.
Perhaps most notably for 2023, Topps plans to significantly boost the number of special multi-player and team Topps Now cards beyond just individual performances. Highlight reels of spectacular defensive plays, no-hitters with multiple pitchers, cycle cards featuring multiple players, and tributes to division or league champions are all ideas Topps is exploring producing more of in the coming season. These group cards further commemorate the true team nature of baseball.
With expanded production, distribution, and design innovations, Topps Now figures to be a hugely popular part of the 2023 baseball season. As an increasing number of casual and dedicated collectors look to chronicle the current year’s action in real-time, Topps Now satisfies that demand like no other card product. Whether collecting vintage stars or today’s up-and-comers, Topps Now gives baseball fans an accessible way to preserve special 2023 memories in card form for years to come. Between exciting on-field performances and Topps’ rapid turnaround, Topps Now is certain to create many more unforgettable modern cardboard moments this season.
