In the first fortnight of May 2024, the sports card market will be roaring with excitement as an array of spectacular releases across diverse sports like baseball, basketball, golf and racing roll out. Both avid and new collectors can expect a fusion of regular and unique card formats from much-anticipated series.
Kicking off the card extravaganza on May 1, 2024, is the 2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball. A distinct reflection of the scarce 1975 mini set, this online-exclusive series makes a robust comeback with a base set spanning towards 500 cards. Its Hobby version sports 24 packs a box, each laden with nine cards and an addition of an autograph or relic plus a box loader. An eye-catching feature is Juan Soto’s first on-card autograph in a Yankees attire.
On the same day, hockey fans can anticipate the 2022-23 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey. This perennial favorite makes a return, with each box containing a solo pack of four cards, providing collectors with one autograph, one high-end memorabilia or autograph memorabilia card, an extra memorabilia card, plus a base or rookie card. What’s even better? The autographs are verified to be on-card. Currently, each box is up for grabs at around $160 online.
In addition, the 2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball release waves the banner higher for rookie Victor Wembanyama with more rookie cards. With each Hobby box consisting of ten packs, each encasing six cards entailing two autographs and 20 inserts, collectors are in for a treat.
On May 8, 2024, poster boy of baseball cards since its 1989 revival, the 2024 Bowman Baseball is all set to wow collectors. The representing year’s edition poses Hobby boxes with one Chrome autographed card while Jumbo boxes house three autographs. Exclusive green parallels grace the retail boxes, adding extra charm.
Releasing in sync with the NBA playoffs, the 2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Basketball brings to light eight cards a box, including one autograph, one memorabilia card, and two inserts or parallels. Tim Duncan autographs take the spotlight, available in boxes priced roughly at $500.
For the avid fans of Golf and racing, there are the 2024 Upper Deck SP Game Used Golf and the 2023 Panini National Treasures Racing collections set for release – both offering high-end collectibles.
And then, on May 10, 2024, we have the 2023-24 Panini Select Basketball. An unmissable inclusion in Panini’s basketball lineup, Select boxes spotlight twelve packs, with each pack containing five cards, including three autographs or memorabilia cards. The release is well-known for its Prizm parallels and memorabilia-stocked rookie cards.
Also lined up for release is another high-octane offering from Donruss’s soccer series, the 2023/24 Donruss Soccer. Details about the box configurations and major features are yet to be unveiled.
As the releases unfurl, collectors will be captivated by the rich diversity on offer and the special features laid out. No matter if your heart throbs for the traditional sports like baseball and basketball, or you luxuriate in outliers like golf and racing, the early May card release calendar has goodies that promise to elevate any collection. Bear in mind, the first half of May 2024 is all about the thrill of the unexpected in sports card releases, celebrating everything from baseball and basketball to golf and racing. Key highlights include the riveting Juan Soto’s first Yankees autograph in the Topps Heritage Mini set and Tim Duncan’s autographs in Panini Crown Royale. So brace yourselves, collectors, the countdown has begun!
