Topps will bring its NOW platform to UFC and the two are also launching a digital trading card app. The moves were announced Monday morning just ahead of a major UFC event.
Topps NOW UFC
ToppsNOW UFC will focus on exclusive, on-demand cards from Fight Week events and will launch in July, following UFC International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
Topps and MLB launched the NOW concept at the beginning of the baseball season with physical cards commemorating top performances and milestones. The cards are available for 24 hours on a print-to-order basis through a section on the company’s website.
Topps Knockout16 Digital Card App
Meanwhile Topps UFC KNOCKOUT16 will offer exclusive digital cards and performance-based contests updated in real-time during live UFC events. The app is available to download for free on select iOS and Android devices via the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Topps UFC KNOCKOUT 16 will debut just ahead of the 5th annual UFC International Fight Week, which takes place from Tuesday, July 5 through Sunday, July 10 in Las Vegas. The event will feature the UFC Fan Expo and numerous fan activations throughout the week. Topps UFC Knockout 16 will be on display for fans at the Topps booth during the UFC Fan Expo, which takes place from Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Fans that visit the booth can unlock free and exclusive digital cards.
The week is highlighted by three events in three nights, culminating in the historic UFC 200: Cormier vs. Jones 2, on Saturday, July 9.
The new digital app joins BUNT, KICK AND HUDDLE in Topps’ portfolio.
“We’re excited to expand on our relationship with the UFC by introducing engaging and easily accessible digital trading cards to keep up with the demand of UFC fans around the world,” said Jeremy Strauser, Vice President and General Manager of Topps Digital. “We see the enormous impact and global popularity of the UFC, so UFC Knockout 16 is a natural fit for Topps’ apps portfolio.”
Thousands of digital trading cards will be available, featuring featherweight champion Conor McGregor, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, who serves as the app’s cover athlete.
“Topps has been a great partner and we’re thrilled to offer fight fans a new way to experience UFC in the digital realm while watching live events,” UFC Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products Tracey Bleczinski said. “Fans are really going to enjoy collecting and trading their favorite UFC athletes in real-time.”
New digital cards and sets will be released daily in UFC Knockout. The app will feature a variety of trading cards, including digital versions of athlete memorabilia and autographs. To learn more, visit http://www.topps.com/topps-apps/.
Topps will also continue to release physical card collections, including new products such as: UFC Museum Collection and UFC Fire, set for release later this year.
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