It’s a relatively quiet period for new sports card releases with a mix of sports but not many exceptionally popular releases in the early part of May. Wednesday, April 26 will be a busy day, though.
Here’s a look at what’s coming:
4/26
2023 Bowman Baseball
Bowman is by far the headline release over the next couple of weeks. The annual flagship release for Topps’ prospect oriented brand is back with multiple options: Hobby (one guaranteed auto), Jumbo (three autos) and Blaster (randomly inserted autos).
There’s the usual mountain of parallels across the base set (250 cards including 150 prospects), insert sets and autos.
New this year in 2023 Bowman Baseball are four-card Pearl packs that will fall randomly in Hobby boxes. They’ll offer exclusive Pearl Refractor parallels from the Chrome Prospects set.
You can check current box pricing on eBay for all three configurations here.
2023 Bowman Baseball Checklist
2022 Bowman University Best Football
Last season’s top college players are featured here as Topps takes its Bowman’s Best line to school for the first time.
Each Master box of 2022 Bowman U Best will contain two Mini boxes with six packs per Mini. Each Master box will contain two autographs.
The best price for Best right now is around $130.
2022 Panini Contenders Optic Football
Contenders Optic puts a shiny touch on the standard release. Optic boxes offer six cards: two autographs, one parallel, one insert and two base cards is what you’ll find in a typical box.
While Rookie Ticket Autographs are the big draw, there are new case hit inserts called Now Contending and Legitness, as well as a new autograph set, Induction Ticket Autographs.
Boxes are currently selling for around $310. There’s a First Off The Line version, too, with exclusive parallels.
Also set for release on 4/26: 2022-23 UEFA Club Competitions Soccer.
4/28
2023 Panini Prizm UFC
Panini’s popular line dishes some cards from the Octagon. The configuration is just like other sports with Hobby boxes holding 12 packs of 12 cards.
A typical box will have two autographs, 22 parallels and 12 inserts among the 144 total cards. Color Blast inserts are back and new this year are Throwback Signatures that feature the top UFC fighters past and present on the 2012 Prizm design.
You can check box pricing here.
Also set for release on 4/28: Sage High Series Football, Topps Athletes Unlimited.
5/3
2023 Panini Stars & Stripes Baseball
Amateur talent takes the spotlight in this annual release. Stars & Stripes is focused on members of U.S. national baseball teams but there will also be an international element this year.
Boxes contain five packs with eight cards per pack.
The base set is being produced on Opti-Chrome technology. Look for seven autographs or memorabilia cards, three base or Highlights silver Prizms, and two base or Highlights hobby exclusive bronze, silver, and gold Prizms per box, on average.
2023 features multiple new teams added for the first time, including a second 18U National Team, Collegiate National Team Training Camp and U-18 Baseball World Cup teams from around the globe.
The lowest price on these is around $73 right now, which seems like a pretty fair deal.
Also set for release on 5/3: 2022-23 Panini Select Premier League; 2022 Goodwin Champions, 2022 Leaf Vivid Baseball.
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