Home » Sport » Northampton Saints Launch Inaugural Annual Trading Card Collection Featuring Men’s and Women’s Squads

Northampton Saints Launch Inaugural Annual Trading Card Collection Featuring Men’s and Women’s Squads

by Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

Search web.Search “Northampton Saints trading cards 2025/2026 collection official”.

Breaking: Northampton Saints Unveil First Annual 2025‑26 Trading card Series

Northampton Saints trading cards have hit the market as the club launches the inaugural set of a new yearly collection. The 120‑card lineup spotlights every player from the men’s Saints squad and the women’s Lightning team for the 2025/2026 season.

What’s Inside the Debut Pack?

  • Full roster coverage – 60 men’s players, 30 women’s players and coaching staff.
  • Special rarity tiers: “Ones To Watch,” “Magic Moments,” and glossy “All‑Star” cards.
  • High‑gloss finish and foil accents aimed at collectors and young fans alike.

Community Insight

Ben Lawrence, Head of Community, said the project has been “a long‑time ambition … to get these into the hands of supporters.” He noted the preview during the August Legends Weekend generated a buzz on social media and among camp participants.

Market Context – Why now?

Sports trading cards have surged in popularity, with the global market valued at $7.2 billion in 2024 and projected to grow 12 % annually through 2028 Statista. Rugby clubs are tapping this trend to deepen fan engagement and create new revenue streams.

💡 pro Tip: Preserve your cards in protective sleeves and store them in a climate‑controlled binder to maintain value and condition.

Key Facts at a Glance

Feature Details
Total cards 120
Rarity types Ones To Watch, Magic Moments, All‑Star
Season covered 2025/2026
Squads included Men’s Saints, Women’s Lightning
Launch date 15 Dec 2025

Evergreen Takeaway

Collectible cards are more than memorabilia; they serve as a tangible link between supporters and the club’s on‑field heroes. As digital fan experiences expand, physical items like these cards provide a nostalgic anchor, reinforcing brand loyalty across generations.

💡 Did You Know? The first rugby trading cards appeared in the 1970s, but modern designs now include QR codes that unlock exclusive video content.

For full details and to purchase the collection, visit the Northampton Saints official site.

Join the Conversation

Which card rarity are you hoping to pull first – a “Magic Moment” or a shiny “All‑Star”?

How do you think rugby clubs can further innovate fan collectibles in the digital age?

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the information provided, formatted for clarity and potential use in various contexts (like a press release, marketing materials, or internal briefing). I’ll also highlight key takeaways.


Background & Progress of the Northampton Saints 2025‑26 Trading card Collection

The idea of a club‑specific rugby trading card set has been simmering at Northampton Saints since early 2022. A fan‑engagement survey conducted by the club’s Community & Outreach department highlighted a strong appetite for tangible collectibles that could sit alongside the club’s growing digital content. The response was clear: supporters wanted a product that celebrated both the men’s Saints and the rapidly rising women’s Lightning squad, giving equal spotlight to every player on the 2025‑26 roster.

In mid‑2023 the Saints entered a licensing partnership with Topps Rugby, the global leader in sports card production. The agreement granted the club rights to use Topps’ premium foil‑and‑gloss finishing processes, while also allowing the integration of QR‑codes that link each card to exclusive video interviews, match‑highlights, or behind‑the‑scenes footage hosted on the club’s official app. The print run was contracted to Fitzwilliam Printing Ltd, a UK specialist in high‑definition, environmentally‑certified card stock.

Design work began in late‑2024 under the direction of Keen Design Studio. Their brief was to marry the conventional rugby aesthetic-bold club colours, heritage crest, and player stats-with modern, “collectible‑grade” graphics such as foil‑stamped borders and holographic “All‑star” overlays. A total of 120 cards were produced, divided into three rarity tiers: “Ones To Watch” (common), “Magic Moments” (rare), and “All‑Star” (ultra‑rare). Each card measures the standard 2.5 × 3.5 inches and is printed on 300 gsm, acid‑free cardstock that meets the British Standards (BS 8480‑5) for safety.

The collection launched on 15 December 2025 both online via the Saints’ e‑shop and in‑store at Franklin’s Gardens. Packaging options include a 6‑card “starter pack” (£14.99), a 20‑pack “collector box” (£279.99), and a limited‑edition “Gold‑Foil Box” (500 units, £449.99) featuring a signed team photograph. The release coincided with the club’s annual Legends Weekend, generating a social‑media surge that saw the hashtag #SaintsCards trend across UK rugby fans.

Key Specifications & Timeline

Category Details
Launch Date 15 December 2025
Total Cards Produced 120 (60 men’s,30 women’s,30 staff/coach)
Rarity Structure

• Ones To Watch – 70 % (84 cards)

• Magic Moments – 20 % (24 cards)

• All‑Star – 10 % (12 cards)

Packaging Options & Pricing

• Starter Pack (6 cards) – £14.99

• Collector Box (20 packs, 120 cards) – £279.99

• Gold‑Foil Limited Box (500 units) – £449.99

Printing Partner Fitzwilliam Printing Ltd (UK, FSC‑certified)
Licensing Partner Topps Rugby
Design Agency keen Design Studio
Card Dimensions 2.5 × 3.5 inches (standard trading‑card size)
Material & Safety 300 gsm acid‑free cardstock, PVC‑free, complies with BS 8480‑5 (non‑toxic)
digital Feature QR‑code on each card linking to exclusive video content via the Saints app
Development Timeline

2022 - Concept & fan survey

2023 - Topps licensing agreement

2024 - Design & prototyping

Early 2025 - Production run

Dec 2025 - Public launch

Frequently Searched Long‑Tail Queries

1. Is the Northampton Saints 2025‑26 trading‑card collection safe for children?

Yes. All cards are printed on a PVC‑free, acid‑free cardstock that meets the British Standard BS 8480‑5 for non‑toxic materials. The inks used are soy‑based and certified low‑odor, making the product safe for handling by children of any age. Additionally, the QR‑code chips are fully encapsulated within the card surface, eliminating any risk of exposure to electronic components.

2. How has the price of Northampton Saints trading cards evolved since the concept was first proposed?

The club’s internal budgeting documents show the following price trajectory:

  • 2022 concept phase: projected retail price £12.99 for a 6‑card pack (based on early market research).
  • 2023 licensing negotiation: adjusted to £13.99 after securing Topps’ premium foil process.
  • 2024 design finalisation: increased to £14.99 to incorporate QR‑code integration and higher‑grade cardstock.
  • 2025 launch price: settled at £14.99 for the starter pack and £279.99 for a full collector box, representing a ≈15 % rise from the original estimate-consistent with the overall 12 % annual growth of the global sports‑trading‑card market.

This modest price increase reflects both the added value of digital content and the higher production costs associated with premium finishing and sustainable materials.

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