2025 Topps Flagship Card Design Released

Its that wonderful time of the year, everyone calendars have changed years and baseball is right around the corner.

Oct 29, 2024; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (99) reacts with fans against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning during game four of the 2024 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Now that we are in 2025, it’s finally time to start thinking about the upcoming baseball season. With Spring Training right around the corner, that means Opening Day—and nicer weather—are fast approaching. It also means we’re about to see the new batch of rookies, starting with Series 1.

In the first week of 2025, Topps announced two highly anticipated updates collectors have been waiting for: the cover athlete for this year’s Series 1, which will feature Aaron Judge.

𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐍: Aaron Judge is officially your 2025 Topps Series One cover athlete. pic.twitter.com/mZikcuVoiX

— Topps (@Topps) January 6, 2025

Additionally, Topps revealed the full card design for this year’s flagship product.

Link to the design

𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: The 2025 Topps Series One design is officially here. pic.twitter.com/vLy81e6Q19

— Topps (@Topps) January 9, 2025

Before the full rollout, Topps has been previewing designs over the past few seasons by sharing them with collectors on social media. This year was no different, as some influencers and collectors shared early looks at the designs.

2025 Topps Baseball design pic.twitter.com/i8sSkg7kI9

— Sooz ⚾️ (@yanxchick) January 9, 2025

What do we think about this year’s Topps Flagship design? pic.twitter.com/QLkawbizSG

— The Breaks (@WatchTheBreaks) January 9, 2025

This design will serve as the template for all of this year’s flagship products, including Series 2, Topps Update, Topps Chrome, and Topps Chrome Update.

Here’s a breakdown of when you can expect your favorite players to get their flagship rookie cards:

1. Players who debuted after last year’s rookie deadline are included in Series 1. For example, Elly De La Cruz made his debut in 2023, but it was later in the season, so he was one of the stars of 2024 Series 1.

Sep 29, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (44) during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

2. Players announced to make the Opening Day roster can be included in Series 2. Examples include Pete Alonso and Fernando Tatis Jr., who both debuted in 2019.

Oct 18, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) singles during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

3. Players called up shortly into the season to save their extra year of service time can be included in Series 2 as a short print, with their rookie card appearing in Topps Update. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a good example of this from 2019.

Sep 17, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a double and drives in a run against the Texas Rangers during the second inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

4. Players who debut before the rookie deadline (early June) will appear in Topps Update at the end of the year. However, players called up after the deadline will get a “Call-Up” logo on their debut Topps Now card and will be included in the following year’s Series 1.

Series 1 is set to be released on February 15th, right around the start of Spring Training. Topps is rolling out information about this release piece by piece, so we’re still waiting for official confirmation on which rookies will be included.