2025 Upper Deck CFL Football Set Review and Checklist

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2025 Upper Deck CFL Football Set: A Detailed Review and Breakdown

The 2025 Upper Deck CFL Football set marks another milestone in Upper Deck's ongoing partnership with the Canadian Football League, delivering a concise yet chase-worthy product that celebrates the 2024 CFL season's stars and standout moments. Released on September 17, 2025—just two days before this review's publication date—this hobby-exclusive set appeals to both die-hard CFL collectors and those seeking affordable entry points into football card collecting. With a throwback vibe reminiscent of simpler trading card eras, the set emphasizes a clean base design, meaningful parallels, and guaranteed hits without overwhelming complexity. In this article, we'll dive into the set's composition, variations, inserts, parallels, box breakdowns, and overall analysis, complete with examples to illustrate its strengths and potential drawbacks.

Overview and Set Composition

At its core, the 2025 Upper Deck CFL Football set is built around a 100-card checklist that covers all nine CFL teams: the BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Elks, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, and Montreal Alouettes. The design draws inspiration from Upper Deck's flagship NHL products, featuring crisp player photography on the front, with stats, bios, and team affiliations on the back. This straightforward aesthetic makes it accessible for newcomers while providing depth for veterans through its subsets and chase elements.

The set is divided into two main components:

Base Set (#1-80): This forms the bulk of the product, showcasing star players in action poses from the 2024 season. Examples include Reggie Begelton of the Calgary Stampeders (#1), Cameron Dukes of the Toronto Argonauts (#2), and Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (#60). These cards highlight a mix of quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, and defensive standouts, ensuring balanced team representation.
CFL Season Standouts (#81-100): A 20-card subset dedicated to top performers and their highlight games from 2024. This insert-like group adds narrative flair, with each card noting a specific achievement. For instance, Garry Peters of the BC Lions (#81) might commemorate a shutdown defensive performance, while Eugene Lewis of the Montreal Alouettes (#89) could spotlight a game-winning catch. Brady Oliveira appears again here (#99), underscoring his MVP-caliber season. On average, collectors pull one Season Standouts card per pack, making it a reliable box highlight.

The set's total size—100 cards—keeps it manageable for set builders, unlike sprawling NFL products that can exceed 400 cards. This compactness is a nod to "throwback" collecting, where the focus is on quality over quantity.

Parallels: Rarity and Visual Appeal

Parallels are a cornerstone of modern trading cards, and 2025 Upper Deck CFL delivers a tiered system that caters to both casual and high-end collectors. All parallels apply to both the Base Set and CFL Season Standouts, with no print runs announced for non-serial-numbered versions. Here's a full breakdown:

Parallel Name	Numbering	Odds/Availability	Analysis and Examples
Gold	Unnumbered	1:1 (Base), 1:4 (Season Standouts); 13 per hobby box total	The most common parallel, these feature a shiny gold border that pops against the standard design. They're abundant enough to build rainbow sets affordably. Example: A Gold parallel of Justin McInnis' Season Standouts card (#85) adds a premium feel to his breakout receiver performance.
Deluxe	/250	Inserted across packs	Mid-tier rarity, these offer a subtle upgrade with enhanced gloss. Ideal for player collectors chasing limited editions without extreme scarcity. Example: Reggie Begelton Base (#1 /250) for Stampeders fans.
UD Exclusives	/100	Inserted across packs	A classic Upper Deck staple, these feature exclusive branding and are highly sought after for their 100-copy limit. They command premium resale value. Example: Eugene Lewis Season Standouts (#89 /100), highlighting his clutch plays.
High Gloss	/10	Inserted across packs	The ultra-rare chase, with a high-shine finish that's visually stunning under light. These are box-busters for high-rollers. Example: Brady Oliveira Base (#60 /10), a potential gem for Blue Bombers enthusiasts given his star status.

On average, hobby boxes yield eight serial-numbered cards (from Deluxe, Exclusives, or High Gloss), providing solid value for parallel hunters. The system is balanced—Gold parallels ensure every pack feels rewarding, while the numbered tiers create excitement for pulls. Compared to previous CFL sets, this lineup refines the formula by emphasizing game-used authenticity in higher parallels, though some collectors might wish for more color variations like red or blue team-themed options.

Inserts, Autographs, and Memorabilia: The Chase Elements

While the set lacks expansive insert series beyond the Season Standouts subset, it compensates with integrated autograph and relic parallels that elevate the base cards. All memorabilia pieces are confirmed to be game-worn, adding legitimacy and appeal for authenticity-focused collectors.

Inserts: The only dedicated insert is the aforementioned CFL Season Standouts (20 cards), which functions as an extension of the base set. No additional themes like "Rookie Sensations" or "Legendary Moments" appear, keeping the product streamlined. This simplicity is a double-edged sword—easy to collect but potentially lacking variety for those accustomed to Panini-style inserts in NFL products.
Autographs:
- Base Auto Parallel: 57 cards available, falling at 1:6 packs (Hobby/ePack). These are on-card autos integrated into the base design. Examples: Cameron Judge (#2) or Brady Oliveira (#60).
- Base Season Standouts Auto Parallel: 17 cards, much rarer at 1:60 packs. Examples: Garry Peters (#81) or Eugene Lewis (#89).
- Overall, autos are clean and player-focused, with no sticker dumps—a common complaint in other sets.
Memorabilia and Auto-Relics:
- Base Jersey Parallel: 46 cards, odds around 1:5-1:6 packs. These feature swatches of game-worn jerseys. Example: Reggie Begelton (#1) with a Stampeders fabric piece.
- Base Season Standouts Jersey Auto Parallel: 15 cards, each numbered to /49. These combine on-card autos with jumbo jersey swatches for a premium hit. Examples: Garry Peters (#81 /49) or Brady Oliveira (#99 /49), often showcasing larger, multi-color patches.

Every hobby box guarantees three total hits (autographs, relics, or auto-relics), making it a reliable product for signature seekers. The /49 Jumbo Jersey Autos stand out as the set's crown jewels, blending rarity, star power, and tangible game history.

Box Breakdown and Collecting Value

Hobby boxes are the primary format, configured as follows:

Packs: 8 per box, 12 cards per pack (96 cards total).
Average Hits: 3 (autographs, memorabilia, or combinations).
Numbered Cards: 8.
Gold Parallels: 13.
Price Point: Typically around $100-150 per box (based on retailer listings; check current market for fluctuations).

Cases contain 20 boxes (two 10-box inners), ideal for group breaks or serious collectors. Odds favor consistent value—every pack has a Gold parallel, and the hit rate ensures no "dud" boxes. For example, a typical pull might include a Base Auto of a mid-tier player like Cameron Dukes, a Jersey Relic of Reggie Begelton, and a /100 Exclusives parallel of Eugene Lewis, alongside a stack of Golds.

In terms of value, this set shines for budget-conscious fans. Resale for commons is low, but hits like High Gloss (/10) or Jumbo Jersey Autos (/49) can fetch $50-200+ depending on the player (e.g., Brady Oliveira commands a premium due to his popularity). Compared to 2024's edition, the 2025 set refines the relic focus but maintains similar scarcity, making it a solid evolution rather than a revolution.

Review and Analysis: Pros, Cons, and Final Thoughts

Pros:

Simplicity and Accessibility: The 100-card set with minimal inserts makes it easy to master, evoking a "throwback vibe" that's refreshing in an era of bloated products. It's perfect for CFL loyalists who want team sets without chasing hundreds of cards.
Guaranteed Hits and Authenticity: Three hits per box, all with game-worn relics, provide bang for the buck. The parallels add layers without overwhelming.
Star Power: Heavy emphasis on 2024 standouts like Oliveira, Lewis, and Peters ensures relevance, with examples tied to real-game highlights.
Affordability: At its price point, it's more approachable than NFL counterparts, appealing to international collectors interested in Canadian football.

Cons:

Limited Variety: No additional inserts beyond Season Standouts might feel sparse for collectors craving thematic diversity (e.g., rookies or legends).
Rarity Discrepancies: Odds for some autos (1:60) could lead to variance in box experiences, though the guarantees mitigate this.
No Blasters or Retail: Hobby-only limits accessibility for casual buyers, potentially alienating younger fans.

Overall, the 2025 Upper Deck CFL Football set earns a strong 8/10 rating. It's a collector-friendly product that prioritizes quality pulls and CFL heritage over gimmicks, making it a must-have for league enthusiasts. If you're building a Brady Oliveira PC or chasing Eugene Lewis relics, dive in— the chase is rewarding without breaking the bank. For set completists, the manageable size is a boon, but insert hunters might supplement with other releases. As the CFL season heats up, this set captures its essence perfectly.

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