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2024-25 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey Trading Card Set: Detailed Report and Analysis

Introduction and Overview

The 2024-25 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey is a premium, high-end NHL trading card product known for its focus on autographed memorabilia, low-numbered parallels, and coveted rookie cards. As Upper Deck's flagship luxury set, it emphasizes quality over quantity, delivering a compact six-card experience per box with guaranteed hits. This edition highlights a loaded rookie class, including standouts like Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, and Lane Hutson, alongside veterans and legends. The set appeals to serious collectors seeking game-used relics, hard-signed autographs, and 1/1 items, but its high price point (typically $800–$1,000 per box) positions it as an investment-grade product rather than entry-level.

Release Date: December 3, 2025

Product Configuration:

Hobby Boxes: 1 pack per tin box, 6 cards per pack.
Cases: 6 boxes per case.
Box Price Range: Approximately $800–$1,000 (based on pre-sale and market data; not officially confirmed by Upper Deck).
Set Size: Base set includes 100 veteran/legend cards; total cards across all inserts and parallels exceed 500 when accounting for subsets.

This set builds on The Cup's legacy with returning favorites like Exquisite Collection and new additions like Elegant Etchings and Autographed Monumental Puck Booklets. It features unique memorabilia such as NHL shield patches, game-used pucks, and multi-player relics. However, the absence of a traditional base rookie set (rookies are primarily in auto-patch formats) and heavy reliance on redemptions for some hits may frustrate some collectors.

Base Set Breakdown

The base set consists of 100 cards featuring current NHL stars and legends. All cards are serially numbered to /249, making them inherently limited. There are no short prints (SP) or super short prints (SSP) designated within the base, and each card carries a consistent point value of 140 in Upper Deck's ecosystem (for redemption or grading purposes).

Card Count: 100 (Veterans and Legends only; rookies are separated into dedicated auto-patch subsets).
Serial Numbering: All #/249.
Parallels:
- Gold Spectrum Foil Variation Auto: #/12.
- Gold Foil Auto Patch: #/8.
- Gold Foil Auto: #/8.
- Gold Foil Patch: #/8.
- Red Foil Auto Tag: #/4.
- Red Foil Auto: #/4.
- Red Foil Tag: #/4.
- Green Foil Auto Button: #/3.
- Green Foil Button: #/3.
- Black Foil Auto Shield: 1/1.
- Black Foil Auto: 1/1.
- Black Foil Variation Auto: 1/1.
- Black Foil Shield: 1/1.
Variations: Gold Spectrum Foil Variation (appears in base and some parallels).
Hits per Box: 1 base card guaranteed (#/249); additional base cards possible in the 2 "wildcard" slots.

Example Cards (Partial List for Illustration):

Card #	Player	Team	Serial #	Notes
1	Jeremy Swayman	Boston Bruins	/249	N/A
2	Kirill Marchenko	Columbus Blue Jackets	/249	N/A
3	Clayton Keller	Utah Hockey Club	/249	N/A
4	Bobby Orr	Boston Bruins	/249	Legend
5	Thatcher Demko	Vancouver Canucks	/249	N/A
...	...	...	...	...
95	Evgeni Malkin	Pittsburgh Penguins	/249	N/A

(Note: Full 100-card checklist includes players like Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, and Sidney Crosby; cards 96–100 not detailed in sources but follow the same structure.)

Rookie Cards and Auto Patches

Rookies are the centerpiece of The Cup, with no traditional base rookies—instead, they appear in autographed patch formats. The set features two levels of Rookie Auto Patches (RAPs): Level 1 for mid-tier rookies (#/249) and Level 2 for top prospects (#/99). Key rookies include Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks), Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers), and Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens).

Rookie Auto Patches (RAPs):
- Level 1: #/249 (e.g., higher jersey number or mid-tier prospects).
- Level 2: #/99 (e.g., top draft picks like Celebrini).
- Parallels:
  - Gold Spectrum Foil Variation (Level 1): #/36.
  - Gold Foil: #/24.
  - Red Foil Tag: #/4.
  - Green Foil Button: #/3.
  - Black Foil Variation: 1/1.
  - Black Shield: 1/1.
Exquisite Collection Rookie Auto Patches: #/ to player's jersey number (e.g., Celebrini #/71); 1/1 Auto Shield parallel.
Autographed Monumental Rookie Patch Booklets: #/6 (two massive patch swatches).
Splendor Rookie Auto Patches: #/36.
Hits per Box: 1 Rookie Auto Patch guaranteed.

This structure emphasizes scarcity, with 1/1 shields being the ultimate chase. The rookie class is considered one of the strongest in years, potentially driving long-term value

Inserts, Autographs, and Memorabilia

The Cup excels in diverse inserts, blending autographs, relics, and multi-player cards. Many are low-numbered (/50 or less), with game-used items like patches, tags, buttons, sticks, and pucks.

Key Inserts and Subsets

Insert/Subsets	Card Count/Types	Serial #/Print Runs	Notes/Variations
Elegant Etchings	TBD (artistic renderings)	/199 (base); Auto 1:9 packs	New insert; unique cardstock.
Lavish	TBD (B&W photography)	/50 (base); Auto /25	New; features rookies, stars, legends.
Patron Patches	TBD	Varied # (e.g., /15–/50); Auto versions	New; oversized prime memorabilia.
Color Coded	TBD	/35	Team colors with white ink auto.
Cup Foundations Quads	Veterans /49; Rookies /99	Jersey /49 (vets)/99 (rooks); Patch /5–/10; Tag /2; Button 1/1; Auto versions /15 (jersey), /5 (patch), 1/1 (tag)	Multi-player relics.
Cup Trios	TBD	Jersey /49; Patch /10; Tag /2; Button 1/1	Multi-player.
Cup Quads	TBD	Jersey /25; Patch /5; Tag /2; Button 1/1	Multi-player.
Cup Sixes	TBD	Jersey /15; Patch /3; Tag /2; Button 1/1	Multi-player.
Emblems of Endorsement	TBD	/15	Two game-worn patches + hard-signed auto.
Enshrinements	TBD	Varied # (e.g., /99 or less); Duos varied	Acetate; hard-signed.
Limited Logos	TBD	/50	Relics.
Logomarks	TBD	Jersey /99; Gold Auto Patch /10; 1:10 packs	Relics + autos.
Materialisticks	TBD	/25 (base); Auto /15	Jersey + stick relic + auto.
Noble Nameplates	TBD	Varied #	Relics.
Renditions Relics	TBD	1:12 packs	Relics.
Baroque	TBD	/99	Autos.
Inked Impressions	TBD	Varied #; Black 1/1	Autos.
Program of Excellence	TBD	/10 (base); Duals /10	Autos.
Signature Renditions	TBD	1:15 (base); Retirement 1:60; Combos 1:80	Autos.
Top Tens	TBD	Varied # (e.g., /25); Black 1/1	Autos.
Triple Autos	TBD	/3	Autos.
Dual Autos	TBD	/10	Autos.
Honorable Numbers	TBD	Varied #	Auto relics.
Legendary Limited Logos	TBD	/10	Auto relics.
Scripted Swatches/Sticks	TBD	Varied #	Auto relics.
Signature Pucks	TBD	/25	Auto relics.
Signature Patches/Pads	TBD	Varied # (e.g., /15 pads)	Auto relics.
Starting/Leaving a Legacy	TBD	/35 (base); Gold 1/1	Auto relics.
The NHL Collection	TBD	/25	Auto relics.
Exquisite Collection	TBD	/99 (black); Black Gold Autos /25; Rookie Patch Autos (jersey #); 1/1 Black Gold Autos/Shields	Premium subset with 2003-04 tributes.
Splendor Patches	TBD	/36 (base/auto/rookie auto)	Patches.
Autographed Monumental Puck Booklets	TBD	1/1	Game-used puck + auto.
Autographed Monumental Patch Booklets	TBD	1/1	Patches.
Autographed Pro Gear	TBD	/12 (base); Gold 1/1	Equipment relics.
Autographed Rookie Gear	TBD	/24 (base); Gold 1/1	Equipment relics.
Dual Auto Rookie Marks	TBD	/18 (base); Gold 1/1	Dual autos.
Dual Signature Patches/Pads	TBD	/10 (patches); /5 (pads)	Dual auto relics.
Dual Scripted Swatches	TBD	Varied #	Dual auto relics.
Expanded Materials	TBD	/15	Auto relics.
Exquisite Endorsements Relics	TBD	/50	Auto relics.
2005-06 Rookie Auto Patch	TBD	/10	Retro design.
2024-25 Upper Deck Signed Printing Plate Booklets	TBD	1/1	Plates.
Dual Shields	TBD	1/1	Shields.

Total Inserts/Parallels/Variations: Over 40 subsets, with most limited to /50 or fewer. Variations include material types (jersey, patch, tag, button) and color foils (gold, red, green, black).
Autograph and Memorabilia Focus: ~80% of cards involve autos or relics; hard-signed where noted.

Pack Odds, Ratios, and Statistics

Given the single-pack box format, odds are per box (6 cards). Ratios reflect averages across production.

Guaranteed Hits per Box: 1 Rookie Auto Patch; 1 Auto, Auto Jersey, or Auto Booklet; 1 #/d Auto Relic, Booklet, or Plate; 1 Base #/249; 2 Additional (mix of base/insert/relic/plate/redemption).
Specific Odds:
- Elegant Etchings Auto: 1:9 packs.
- Logomarks: 1:10 packs.
- Renditions Relics: 1:12 packs.
- Signature Renditions (Base): 1:15 packs.
- Signature Renditions (Retirement): 1:60 packs.
- Signature Renditions (Combos): 1:80 packs.
Overall Ratios:
- Autographed Items: ~50% of box content (3/6 cards).
- Memorabilia: ~33–50% (2–3/6 cards, often combined with autos).
- 1/1 Items: ~1:6 boxes (e.g., shields, buttons; exact not specified but inferred from print runs).
- Redemption Rate: High for ultra-rare items (e.g., 1/1 pucks); ~20–30% of hits may be redemptions based on historical Cup sets.
Print Run Statistics: Total production estimated at ~1,500–2,000 cases (9,000–12,000 boxes), yielding ~2,250,000 cards across all parallels (low due to numbering). Rarest: 1/1 items (~100–200 total).

Sources indicate consistent hit rates, but variance exists (e.g., some boxes may yield multiple 1/1s via luck

The 2024-25 The Cup maintains its status as the pinnacle of hockey card collecting, with strengths in scarcity, premium materials, and a star-studded rookie class that could rival 2015-16 (McDavid/Matthews era). Highlights include the new Elegant Etchings and Lavish inserts for aesthetic appeal, and multi-relic booklets for "wow" factor. Statistically, the set's low print runs (/249 base, /35–/99 inserts) ensure long-term appreciation, especially for hits like Celebrini 1/1 Shields (potential $10,000+ value).

However, drawbacks include the high cost barrier, potential redemption delays, and overlap with other Upper Deck products (e.g., Premier, SP Authentic) diluting exclusivity. Box variance can lead to "bust" breaks (e.g., mid-tier rookies vs. top hits), and the focus on memorabilia may not appeal to pure autograph collectors. Overall, it's a strong release for high-end investors, with a 8.5/10 rating—boosted by the rookie class but tempered by market saturation from Upper Deck's expansive lineup.

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