Topps has long been the leader in releasing updated baseball cards to reflect roster moves and player performance from throughout the MLB season. Their yearly Topps Update baseball cards provide collectors the opportunity to add newly acquired players or chase hits of breakout stars to their collections. While the 2022 release date has not been officially announced yet, based on historical release patterns collectors can expect the 2022 Topps Update baseball cards to be released in late August or early September.
Topps regularly follows a similar timeline for their Update series each year. They monitor roster transactions, call-ups, and player performances throughout the spring and summer before finalizing photograph and design selections in early August. The cards then go through production before ultimately being inserted into series 2 hobby boxes and retail blaster and hanger packs. Barring any unforeseen delays, collectors can feel very confident the 2022 Topps Update baseball cards will arrive on store shelves in late August or early September.
Going back over the past decade reveals Topps Update has released between August 22nd and September 7th each year. 2021 saw the cards arrive on August 25th, 2020 was August 26th, and 2019 fell on September 4th. 2018, 2017, and 2016 all released on August 30th. 2015, 2014, and 2013 all had street dates of September 3rd, 4th, and 7th respectively. Based on this extensive track record, it’s reasonable to expect Topps will adhere to a similar late August or early September 2022 timeline unless they provide an official earlier announcement.
While the specific release date two months out remains unofficial, collectors can still prepare and get excited for the exciting new rookies, stars, and variations that will be inserted into 2022 Topps Update packs. Top prospects like Bobby Witt Jr, Spencer Torkelson, and Julio Rodriguez who debuted in the second half of 2021 are sure to receive prominent rookie cards after being left out of the flagship Series 1 and 2 releases. Meanwhile, breakout players like Jonathan India, Brendan Donovan, and Trevor Stephan who emerged down the stretch run will gain new Update cards reflecting their accomplishments.
Veteran players who switched teams via trade at the deadline like Joey Gallo, Tyler Mahle, and Josh Hader will also receive first cards featuring their new uniforms. And superstar performers in the second half like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Albert Pujols are great candidates to score short printed hits or parallel color variations celebrating their performances. As always, Topps Update will also include trading cards for any newly called up prospects finishing strong in September.
Another exciting aspect of the 2022 Topps Update release will be the numerous new Baseball Hall of Fame inductee cards that are always included to commemorate players who gained entry over the previous winter. David Ortiz and Barry Bonds are sure to have extra attention on any special parallels or autographs pulled of their first cards in Cooperstown caps. Topps will also add rookie cards or classic reprints featuring past legends as done in years past.
While the specific checklist won’t be known until closer to release date, collectors can feel confident Topps Update 2022 will represent another opportunity to add key players and variations to their collections at affordable hobby box and retail blaster prices. Being released in the direct midst of the MLB playoff push adds extra excitement. Check with your local retailer in late August or early September as release nears to ensure you don’t miss out on the yearly minor league and major league roster shuffling event. The 2022 Topps Update baseball cards arrival can’t come soon enough for dedicated collectors tracking their team’s midseason moves and the rest of the MLB season’s developments.
While an official release date announcement from Topps is still forthcoming, extensive historical evidence strongly indicates the 2022 Topps Update baseball cards will arrive on shelves in late August or early September continuing their annual tradition. Collector anticipation will only grow over the summer months as performances shape checkout rosters and possibilities. Be sure to circle late August or early September on the calendar and check with local shops as the release targeting this key timeframe approaches. The 2022 Topps Update release is sure to deliver another exciting collecting moment for baseball card enthusiasts.
