For the first time since a sticker set nearly a decade ago, Topps Merlin and England’s Premier League are back together — this time for the 2026 Topps Merlin Premier League Soccer set.
Merlin Premier League Stickers last appeared for 2018-19 season, but with a new licensing agreement between the EPL and Topps that kicked in last summer, the company has expanded the league’s presence with several new trading card sets in 2026.
Collectors can expect one autograph in every hobby box, and a Topps.com pre-order is slated for April 28.
2026 Topps Merlin Premier League Soccer Checklist Overview
The size and scope of the base set have not been announced, but Topps indicated the checklist will include a mix of veterans and rookies.
Parallels will include a wide range of Refractors, including a pair that pull on the strings of nostalgia — VHS Refractors and Battle Of Britpop Refractors (/95).
Base cards will also have 1996 Throwbacks set to the design of the 1995-96 Merlin’s Premier League stickers, the first set of them produced after Topps acquired the U.K.-based Merlin Publishing International PLC for more than $46 million in July 1995.
Autographs
Base Autographs serve as the foundation for signature content in the product. Parallels will include at least Gold (/50) and Superfractors (1/1).
The only other autographs announced so far come from Merlin’s Magical Ink, which include hard-signed gold ink versions.
Inserts
There are four common inserts in the product.
Mystic Afternoons are a new concept that plays off an existing insert from another offshoot of the Merlin brand. Since 2023, collectors have found Mystic Nights inserts in Topps Merlin UEFA Club Competitions, but Mystic Afternoons deliver a brighter dynamic to the design.
Merlin Speaks leans into the wizardry theme behind the Merlin name. These cards give a prediction uttered by Merlin and feature a crystal ball-like design.
Fantasy Football and Merlin’s Young Magicians round out the common themes.
Renaissance and The Shiny — short-printed concepts also previously seen in Merlin UCC — make their Premier League debut here.
Two new SP inserts are Magic In His Boots and Merlin’s Magnum Opus.
In recent Topps Chrome Marvel releases, the company has printed front-and-back Mask Off inserts. The concept comes to sports for the first time, with a set honoring Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres, who has a mask celebration where he interlocks his fingers and hands in front of his mouth.
Collectors will also be on the lookout for Merlin’s Mythical Art, a case hit that features original art cards.
2026 Topps Merlin Premier League Soccer at a glance:
Cards per pack: Hobby – 4
Packs per box: Hobby – 18
Boxes per case: Hobby – TBA
Set size: TBA
Pre-Order date: April 28, 2026
Shop for other 2026 Topps Premier League Soccer cards:
What to expect in a hobby box:
2026 Topps Merlin Premier League Soccer Checklist
The Topps Merlin Premier League Soccer checklist will be posted once made available by the manufacturer. Information is subject to change prior to the release date.
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