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Contenders

The Playoff Contenders brand recently celebrated it’s 20th Anniversary with the release of 2012 Panini Contenders Football. Dating its origins back to 1993, the Contenders set consisted of 150 total cards, including rookies of recent Hall of Fame inductees Jerome Bettis and Willie Roaf. A premium product designed to showcase key rookies, the brand was a welcome edition to the football card market.

Creating an Identity

In 1998, Contenders introduced an insert and design concept that would forever change the landscape of rookie autographed trading cards. The Contenders Rookie Ticket Autographs were a beautiful creation that incorporated design elements of a game ticket with the autograph of key rookies. Through the years, these cards have been some of the most coveted in the entire hobby. This gallery, will show you in clear detail, why collectors have been so fond of this set.

Through the Years

Since it’s inception the Contenders brand has been utilized in other sports as well, most notably basketball. The Rookie Ticket Autographs transitioned well to that product category and the brand’s most recent release in basketball showed strong demand on the secondary market. In 2011, with Panini’s return to baseball thanks to their newly acquired MLBPA license, the Contenders brand was expanded to baseball. Lacking logos and official uniforms the product was received to mixed reviews.

Contenders Card Sets

Browse our database of Contenders trading card sets, which feature product reviews, set checklists, expert analysis, price comparisons, and more.

2019-20 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2019-20 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2019-20 Panini Contenders Hockey builds on the Rookie Ticket line with a two-player approach. The online-only set includes hard-signed autographs for Kaapo Kakko and Vitali Kravtsov.

2019 Panini Contenders Optic Football Cards

2019 Panini Contenders Optic Football Cards

Collect Contenders Rookie Ticket autographs with an Optichrome finish via 2019 Panini Contenders Optic Football. Each Hobby box contains two autographs with one hard-signed edition.

2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Baseball Cards

2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Baseball Cards

Featuring recent draftees, 2019 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Baseball highlights top prospects from a college angle as well as international signings. Every Hobby box should have six autographs.

2018-19 Panini Contenders Basketball Cards

2018-19 Panini Contenders Basketball Cards

With many on-card Rookie Ticket autographs to chase, 2018-19 Panini Contenders Basketball supplies NBA collectors with key RC choices. Hobby boxes average two autographs apiece.

2014 Panini Contenders Football Cards

2014 Panini Contenders Football Cards

2014 Panini Contenders Football returns with a new batch of Rookie Ticket Autographs and other inserts. Hobby boxes have five total autographs including at least two that are signed on-card.

2013-14 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2013-14 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2013-14 Panini Contenders Hockey sticks with what the brand is known for. Delivering four autographs per hobby box, highlights include Rookie Ticket Autographs and other signed sets.

2012-13 Panini Contenders Basketball Cards

2012-13 Panini Contenders Basketball Cards

2012-13 Panini Contenders Basketball has a configuration aimed at set builders who like a little rookie ink. Hobby boxes have four signatures, including at least three autographed rookie cards.

2012 Panini Contenders Football Cards

2012 Panini Contenders Football Cards

Celebrating its 20th season in the hobby, 2012 Panini Contenders delivers five autographs in every box, including a pair of on-card signatures. Rookie Ticket Autographs are inspired by the landmark 1998 Playoff Contenders design.

2011-12 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2011-12 Panini Contenders Hockey Cards

2011-12 Panini Contenders Hockey puts a huge emphasis on autographs. Falling three or four per box, collectors can look for signatures from a broad mix of rookie, veteran and retired players. Book cards offer up to six autographs.

2011 Playoff Contenders Football Cards

2011 Playoff Contenders Football Cards

2011 Playoff Contenders Football sees the return of Rookie Ticket Autographs rookie cards. Every box includes four autographs, including two on-card rookie signatures.

2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball Cards

2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball Cards

Panini is sticking with a prospect focus for their second MLBPA-licensed baseball card release, 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball, which includes autographs from 150 up-and-coming stars. Boxes come with six autographs, including two on-card signatures.

2010-11 Playoff Contenders Hockey

2010-11 Playoff Contenders Hockey

Panini’s flagship brand hits the ice for a first skate in the hockey sector of the hobby this March. Each box is set to deliver 4 hits, 3 of which are on-card Rookie Ticket autographs and the potential for plenty other cold as ice cards including 1/1 Golden Ticket parallels made from 11 grams of actual gold! 2010-11 Playoff Contenders Hockey is set to release on March 30th with a hobby box price of around $130-$150.