Topps Now is a collectible digital trading card program launched by Topps in 2015 that allows fans to purchase and collect limited-edition baseball cards commemorating some of the most memorable and historic moments from that current MLB season. The Topps Now cards are produced and released within days of the event they depict to capitalize on the excitement and buzz surrounding that particular moment or performance.
Some key things to know about Topps Now baseball cards include:
Limited Quantity: Each Topps Now card is produced in limited quantities, usually between 100-5,000 copies, which helps maintain their value for collectors. Once a print run sells out it is gone for good.
Timely Release: Topps aims to design, produce and release each Topps Now card within 48 hours of the featured event. This rapid turnaround allows fans to collect cards immortalizing moments they may have just witnessed.
Digital Format: Topps Now cards are strictly available in digital form only. Fans purchase packs or individual cards using the Topps Now app or website, where the cards can then be stored, traded and viewed online in employees’ digital collections.
Wide Range of Subjects: Topps Now cards cover all sorts of milestones and accomplishments, including no-hitters, cycle hits, walk-off home runs, championship wins and more. Individual player performances, team achievements and postseason moments have all been featured.
Autograph Cards: For bigger events, Topps Now will sometimes release limited autograph card editions where the featured player has physically signed the digital card image. These autograph versions are far more scarce.
Ongoing Series: New Topps Now cards are added to the platform on a near-daily basis throughout the season. This provides a running documentation of the current year’s baseball highlights as they unfold.
Resale Market: Because of the short print runs, Topps Now cards have developed a strong resale market. Popular or rare cards can often be resold for far more than their original issue price via third-party apps and websites. This has led to cards being “flipped” by speculators looking to profit.
International Releases: While focused mainly on MLB events, Topps Now has also captured memorable international tournament moments like in the World Baseball Classic. Teams, players and events from leagues all over the world have been featured.
Some of the most high-profile and expensive Topps Now cards to date include:
Clayton Kershaw’s 3000th Strikeout: A landmark 300th career win for Kershaw was marked with a rare 1/1 autographed card patch that sold for over $2,000.
Ichiro’s 3000th Hit: Ichiro becoming just the 30th member of the 3000 hit club was honored with a rare 1/1 card that has sold for upwards of $1,500.
Cubs Win World Series: Topps released several cards commemorating the Cubs ending their 108-year championship drought, with some autographed versions trading hands for $1,000+.
Ohtani’s Debut: Shohei Ohtani’s much-hyped MLB pitching and hitting debut for the Angels was captured in a short print run card that has sold for over $800.
Judge’s Rookie Season: Topps Now documented Aaron Judge’s record-setting rookie campaign with the Yankees extensively, with some of his early season cards as a relatively unknown prospect now selling for $500-600.
No-Hitters: Perfect games and no-hitters have consistently been turned into valuable Topps Now cards, such as Walker Buehler’s debut no-hitter card selling for nearly $400 back in 2015.
Awards & Milestones: Cards marking MVP, Cy Young, batting title and pitching title winners along with major statistical milestones like 500 home runs have also held their value well for collectors.
While Topps Now cards can only be viewed digitally, their scarcity, association with historical baseball moments, and functionality as tradable virtual assets have made them enormously popular collectibles. By marrying physical cards with the real-time nature of the digital age, Topps Now has created one of the most innovative collectibles in the sports card industry. As long as MLB continues to produce magic on the field each night, Topps Now figures to keep documenting it all for an enthralled new generation of card collectors.
