# Panini Group > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Panini_Group > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Panini_Group.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panini_Group > Source revision: 1357089417 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Italian publishing house}} {{Infobox company | name = Panini S.p.A. | logo = Panini Group logo.svg | logo_class = logo-nobg | logo_size = 250px | type = [Società per azioni](/source/Societ%C3%A0_per_azioni) | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | founded = {{Start date and age|1961}} | founder = [Giuseppe Panini](/source/Giuseppe_Panini) | defunct = | hq_location_city = [Modena](/source/Modena) | hq_location_country = Italy | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = | industry = [Collectibles](/source/Collectable), [digital media](/source/digital_media), [distribution](/source/Distribution_(business)), [licensing](/source/licensing) and [publishing](/source/publishing) | products = [Books](/source/Books), [comic books](/source/comic_books), [magazines](/source/magazines), [stickers](/source/stickers), [trading cards](/source/trading_cards) and [trading card game](/source/trading_card_game)s | production = | services = | revenue = €1.9 billion (2024){{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/corporate/ |title=Panini Group: Corporate |publisher=Panini Group |access-date=2016-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427095854/http://www.paninigroup.com/corporate |archive-date=2016-04-27 |url-status=dead }} | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owner = Panini Management and Fineldo | num_employees = 1,000+ (2014) | parent = | divisions = {{plainlist| * Collectibles * Publishing/[Comics](/source/Panini_Comics) * Panini Digital * The Licensing Machine }} | subsidiaries = Panini America, Inc. | website = {{URL|https://www.paninigroup.com/|paninigroup.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }} '''Panini''' is an Italian company that produces books, [comics](/source/comics), [magazines](/source/Magazine), stickers, [trading cards](/source/Trading_card) and other items through its [collectibles](/source/Collectable) and publishing subsidiaries.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/collectibles |title=Panini Group: Collectibles |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329140824/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/collectibles |archive-date=2010-03-29 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/publishing |title=Panini Group: Publishing |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415234516/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/publishing |archive-date=2010-04-15 }} It is headquartered in [Modena](/source/Modena) and named after the Panini brothers, who founded it in 1961. Panini distributes its own products and products of third party providers.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/distribution |title=Panini Group: Distribution |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414170741/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/distribution |archive-date=2010-04-14 }} Panini maintains a Licensing Division to buy and resell licences and provide [agency](/source/Agency_(law)) for individuals and newspapers seeking to purchase rights and comic licences.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/licensing |title=Panini Group: Licensing Out |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625160211/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/licensing |archive-date=2010-06-25 }} Through Panini Digital, the company uses voice-activated software to capture [football](/source/association_football) statistics, which is then sold to agents, teams, media outlets and [video game](/source/video_game) manufactures.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/panini-digital |title=Panini Group: Panini Digital |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100425005121/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/panini-digital |archive-date=2010-04-25 }} New Media operates Panini's online applications and generates income through content and data sales.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/new-media |title=Panini Group: New Media |access-date=2010-04-16 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100427073731/http://www.paninigroup.com/business-area/new-media |archive-date=2010-04-27 }} Forming a partnership with [FIFA](/source/FIFA) in 1970, Panini published its first [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) [sticker album](/source/sticker_album) for the [1970 World Cup](/source/1970_FIFA_World_Cup).{{cite news |title=Panini World Cup 2018 stickers: When is the iconic sticker album release date? And how much will it cost? |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/panini-world-cup-2018-stickers-when-is-the-iconic-sticker-album-release-date-and-how-much-will-it-a3795621.html |access-date=8 September 2018 |work=London Evening Standard}} Since then, collecting and trading stickers and [cards](/source/Association_football_trading_card) has become part of the World Cup experience, especially for the younger generation. In 2017, a 1970 World Cup Panini sticker album signed by [Pelé](/source/Pel%C3%A9) sold for a record £10,450.{{cite news |title=Panini 1970 World Cup album signed by Pele auctions for £10,450 |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/brazil/story/3090645/panini-1970-world-cup-album-signed-by-pele-auctions-for-10,450 |access-date=3 September 2018 |agency=ESPN}}{{cite news |title=The world's most expensive Panini album, signed by Brazilian legend Pele, has been auctioned off for £10,450 |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/worlds-most-expensive-panini-album-10110089 |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=Irish Mirror}} Panini produced stickers and trading cards for the [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) until 2022, when it was replaced by [Topps](/source/Topps).{{Cite web |last=Hajducky |first=Dan |date=2022-04-06 |title=UEFA expands Topps deal, replaces Panini as producer for Euro cards, stickers, collectables |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37627116/uefa-expands-topps-deal-replaces-panini-producer-euro-cards-stickers-collectables |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} As of 2025, Panini had licence rights of football international competitions such as the FIFA World Cup, [UEFA Nations League](/source/UEFA_Nations_League) and [Copa América](/source/Copa_Am%C3%A9rica), as well as domestic leagues including the [EFL](/source/English_Football_League) ([EFL Championship](/source/EFL_Championship), [EFL League One](/source/EFL_League_One) and [EFL League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two)) from the 2025-26 season,{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2025-05-29 |title=EFL and Panini announce new partnership |url=https://efl.com/news/2025/may/29/efl-and-panini-announce-new-partnership/ |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=EFL |language=en}} Spanish [La Liga](/source/La_Liga),[https://www.mundodeportivo.com/vaya-mundo/20190813/464030702961/panini-md-cromos-futbol.html El álbum oficial de LaLiga Santander 2019-20!] on Mundo Deportivo Italian [Serie A](/source/Serie_A),[https://calciatori.paniniadrenalyn.com/collezione/scopri-la-collezione Calciatori Collezione] on Panini Italia [Hrvatska Nogometna Liga](/source/Croatian_Football_League),{{cite web | url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/panini-croatian-football-federation-sign-long-term-agreement-panini-u0oje | title=Panini and the Croatian Football Federation sign a long-term agreement }} and [Argentine Primera División](/source/Argentine_Primera_Divisi%C3%B3n)[http://collectibles.panini.com.ar/editorial/album-oficial-del-futbol-argentino-superliga-2018-2019.html Álbum Oficial del Fútbol Argentino Superliga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806044844/http://collectibles.panini.com.ar/editorial/album-oficial-del-futbol-argentino-superliga-2018-2019.html |date=2020-08-06 }} on Panini Argentina among others. ==History== Benito and [Giuseppe Panini](/source/Giuseppe_Panini) were operating a newspaper distribution office in Modena, [Italy](/source/Italy) in 1960, when they found a collection of figurines (stickers attached with glue) that a [Milan](/source/Milan) company was unable to sell. The brothers bought the collection and sold them in packets of two for ten lire each. They sold three million packets. Having had success with the figurines, Giuseppe founded Panini in 1961 to manufacture and sell his own figurines. Benito joined Panini the same year. Panini sold 15 million packets of figurines in 1961.{{cite web |url=http://www.paninionline.com/collectibles/institutional/bt/uk/faq.asp |title=Panini: FAQ |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=Panini Group}}{{cite web|url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ansa.it%2Fweb%2Fnotizie%2Fphotostory%2Fprimopiano%2F2010%2F03%2F26%2Fvisualizza_new.html_1736834673.html |title=Fifty Years of Italian History Through Famous Album |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=ANSA}}{{cite web |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fricerca.repubblica.it%2Frepubblica%2Farchivio%2Frepubblica%2F1999%2F10%2F09%2Fil-piacere-delle-figurine-40-anni-di.html |title=The Pleasure of the Figurines, from Album 40 Years of Heroes |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=Ricerca}} The following year, 29 million units were sold, and brothers Franco and Umberto Panini joined the company in 1963. Umberto Panini died on November 29, 2013, at the age of 83.[http://www.20min.ch/sport/fussball/story/Der-letzte--Vater--der-Panini-Bildli-ist-tot-29932735 “Der letzte «Vater» der Panini-Bildli ist tot”]. 20minutes. Retrieved 8 September 2018 In 1966, Giuseppe founded a professional volleyball club that would later become known as [Modena Volley](/source/Modena_Volley).{{Cite web |title=Giuseppe Panini - Class of 2024 |url=https://www.volleyhall.org/giuseppe-panini.html |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=International Volleyball Hall of Fame - Holyoke, Massachusetts USA |language=en}} The company became well known in the 1960s for its [football collections](/source/Association_football_trading_card), which soon became popular with children. Rare stickers (''figurine'') can reach very high prices on the collectors' market. Some popular games were invented which used stickers as playing cards. [[File:Panini pele photo only.jpg|thumb|150px|[Pelé](/source/Pel%C3%A9) trading card from the Mexico 70 series, Panini's first [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) collection]] In 1970, Panini began publishing ''L'Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio Italiano'' (The Illustrated Guide to Italian Football), after purchasing the rights from publishing house Carcano. Panini also published its first [FIFA World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) [trading cards](/source/association_football_trading_card) and [sticker album](/source/sticker_album) for the [1970 World Cup](/source/1970_FIFA_World_Cup) in [Mexico](/source/Mexico), in addition to using multilingual captions and selling stickers outside of Italy for the first time.{{cite news |title=Brand collaborations |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/marketing/licensing/brand-collaborations.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508222147/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/marketing/licensing/brand-collaborations.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 8, 2015 |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=FIFA.com}} Initiating a craze for collecting and trading stickers, Panini's stickers were an instant hit, with ''[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)'' stating in the United Kingdom, “the tradition of swapping duplicate [World Cup] stickers was a playground fixture during the 1970s and 1980s.”{{cite news |title=Panini World Cup sticker book |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/29/cost-to-fill-panini-world-cup-sticker-book-is-734-says-maths-prof |access-date=3 September 2018 |work=The Guardian}} Another first for Panini, in the early 1970s, it began introducing self-adhesive stickers as opposed to using glue. In 1986, Panini created a museum of figurines, which they donated to the city of Modena in 1992.{{cite web |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.comune.modena.it%2Fmuseofigurina%2F |title=The Museum |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=Museum of Figurines}}{{cite web |url=https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=it&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fespresso.repubblica.it%2Fdettaglio-local%2FNuova%2520avventura%2520Panini%2520il%2520museo%2520fatto%2520di%2520figurine%2F1456992 |title=Sandwiches new adventure museum made figurines |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=L'espresso}} Panini begins assembling each World Cup squad for their sticker album a few months before they are officially announced by each nation, which means surprise call-ups often do not feature in their album. A notable example of this was 17-year-old Brazilian striker [Ronaldo](/source/Ronaldo_(Brazilian_footballer)), who was called up for the Brazil squad for the [1994 FIFA World Cup](/source/1994_FIFA_World_Cup).{{cite news |title=Watch: Got, Got, Need! The Story of Panini Stickers – a FourFourTwo Films exclusive |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/watch-got-got-need-story-panini-stickers-a-fourfourtwo-films-exclusive |access-date=4 October 2018 |work=FourFourTwo}} In May 2006, Panini partnered with [The Coca-Cola Company](/source/The_Coca-Cola_Company) and [Tokenzone](/source/Tokenzone) to produce the first virtual sticker album for the [2006 FIFA World Cup](/source/2006_FIFA_World_Cup). The album was viewable in at least 10 different languages, such as [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language), [Dutch](/source/Dutch_language), [English](/source/English_language), [French](/source/French_language), [German](/source/German_language), [Greek](/source/Greek_language), [Italian](/source/Italian_language), [Japanese](/source/Japanese_language), [Korean](/source/Korean_language) and [Spanish](/source/Spanish_language).{{cite web |url=http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20060523_corporate_panini_football.html |title=Coca-Cola and Panini Launch First Digital Trading Platform: Officially Licensed Football Stickers for 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=Coca-Cola |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110044658/http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20060523_corporate_panini_football.html |archive-date=2010-01-10 }} For the 2014 World Cup, three million FIFA.com users took part in the Panini Digital Sticker Album contest.{{cite news |title=Panini Digital Sticker Album launched for Russia 2018 |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/panini-digital-sticker-album-launched-for-russia-2018 |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=FIFA.com}} Panini developed an app for the 2018 World Cup, where fans could collect and swap virtual stickers.{{cite magazine |title=Panini World Cup sticker album: Inside story behind the craze |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/06/06/panini-world-cup-sticker-album-history-tradition |access-date=5 October 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}} Five million people gathered digital stickers for the 2018 World Cup.{{cite news |title=12 Years Running: Panini's FIFA World Cup Digital Sticker Album is More Popular Than Ever |url=https://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/paninis-fifa-world-cup-digital-sticker-album-is-more-popular#ath |access-date=5 October 2018 |publisher=Coca-Cola Company |archive-date=5 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005111908/https://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/paninis-fifa-world-cup-digital-sticker-album-is-more-popular#ath |url-status=dead }} [[File:Troca de cromos da panini - 1.jpg|thumb|left|Sticker trade in Brazil for Panini's [2018 World Cup](/source/2018_World_Cup) [sticker album](/source/sticker_album)]] The classic football stickers today are complemented by the collectible card game [Adrenalyn XL](/source/Adrenalyn_XL), introduced in 2009.{{Cite web |title=2009 Panini Adrenalyn XL Card Prices {{!}} Basketball {{!}} PSA & Ungraded Values |url=https://www.sportscardspro.com/console/basketball-cards-2009-panini-adrenalyn-xl |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=SportsCardsPro |language=en}} In 2010, Panini released a [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League) edition of Adrenalyn XL,{{Cite web |title=2010 Panini UEFA Champions League Card Prices {{!}} Soccer {{!}} PSA & Ungraded Values |url=https://www.sportscardspro.com/console/soccer-cards-2010-panini-uefa-champions-league |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=SportsCardsPro |language=en}} containing 350 cards from 22 of the competing clubs, including defending champions [FC Barcelona](/source/FC_Barcelona). Beginning in 2015, [Topps](/source/Topps) signed a deal to produce stickers, trading cards and digital collections for the competition.{{cite news |title=Topps join UEFA licensing programme |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/news/newsid=2214587.html?redirectFromOrg=true |access-date=6 January 2020 |agency=UEFA.com}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The fourth edition of Panini FIFA 365 Adrenalyn XL was released for 2019, featuring top clubs, teams and players.{{cite news |title=Panini FIFA 365 Adrenalyn XL |url=https://www.adrenalynpf365.com/en_gb |access-date=5 October 2018 |agency=Adrenalyn }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In January 2009, Panini acquired an exclusive licence to produce [NBA](/source/NBA) trading cards and stickers, effective for the 2009-10 NBA season."[https://www.cnbc.com/2009/01/28/topps-no-longer-tops-with-nba.html Topps No Longer Tops with NBA]." CNBC On March 13, 2009, Panini acquired the U.S. trading card manufacturer [Donruss Playoff LP](/source/Donruss). With it, Panini inherited [Donruss](/source/Donruss)' NFL and NFLPA licences."[https://www.cnbc.com/2009/03/13/panini-buys-donruss.html Panini Buys Donruss]." CNBC thumb|right|Panini at the Comic Con Germany 2018 In March 2010, Panini acquired a licence from the [NHL](/source/NHL) and [NHLPA](/source/National_Hockey_League_Players'_Association).{{cite web |url=http://www.paninigroup.com/news/news-page/article/nhl-and-nhlpa-awards-panini-with-multi-year-trading-card-license.html |title=NHL and NHLPA Awards Panini with Multi-Year Trading Card License |access-date=16 April 2010 |publisher=Panini Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106203318/http://www.paninigroup.com/news/news-page/article/nhl-and-nhlpa-awards-panini-with-multi-year-trading-card-license.html |archive-date=6 November 2010 }} The 2010-11 ice hockey season was the first in five years that had more than one company creating cards, with [Upper Deck](/source/Upper_Deck_Company) producing their own NHL cards.{{cite web |url=http://www.bristolpress.com/articles/2010/03/28/sports/doc4baeb2d0962e6227506875.txt |title=Angilly: Panini, Upper Deck each get NHL deals |access-date=2010-04-18 |publisher=The Bristol Press }}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In July 2010, Panini acquired a licence to create an official sticker collection for the [Olympic](/source/2012_Summer_Olympics) and [Paralympic](/source/2012_Summer_Paralympics) Games in London 2012.[https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jul/14/panini-olympic-paralympic-2012-stickers Panini to make Olympic debut with London 2012 sticker collection], [The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian), 14 July 2010 In 2014, Panini made cards for that year's [FIFA World Cup](/source/2014_FIFA_World_Cup), and did the same for the [2018 edition](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup), albeit with price hikes for packets across the world. Dubbed the “Panini Cheapskates” in 2018, a couple from [Oxford](/source/Oxford) won fans all over the world on social media by filling in their 2018 World Cup sticker album by drawing in each player.{{cite news |title='Panini Cheapskates' to draw each World Cup 2018 sticker |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-43891168 |access-date=8 September 2018 |agency=BBC}} During the [2018 World Cup](/source/2018_FIFA_World_Cup), Panini produced an average of 8 to 10 million card packages per day.[https://buenavibra.es/zapping/deportes/futbol/negocio-multimillonario-asi-funciona-la-fabrica-de-figuritas-de-panini/ Negocio multimillonario: así funciona la fábrica de figuritas de Panini] In 2018, Panini signed a deal with the English [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) to produce cards under licence for the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |title=Panini lands worldwide Premier League card, sticker exclusive starting in 2019–20 |url=https://www.beckett.com/news/panini-lands-premier-league-exclusive/ | access-date=29 September 2019 | agency=Beckett News}} Some of Panini's releases in 2019 included collections of movies ''[Avengers: Endgame](/source/Avengers%3A_Endgame)''[http://collectibles.paninistore.com/store/col_int_en/003732b-it-avengers-infinity-war-part2-figurina.html Avengers Endgame] on Panini website and ''[Toy Story 4](/source/Toy_Story_4),''[http://collectibles.panini.co.uk/editorial/toy-story-4-sticker-collection.html Toy Story 4] on Panini UK and the [2019 FIFA Women's World Cup](/source/2019_FIFA_Women's_World_Cup).[http://collectibles.panini.co.uk/editorial/fifa-womens-world-cup-france-2019tm-official-sticker-collection.html FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 Official Sticker Collection] Panini's license with the [Major League Baseball Players Association](/source/Major_League_Baseball_Players_Association) expired at the end of 2022, which meant they could no longer produce baseball cards of players covered by the Players Association union contract. {{cite web |last=Hajducky |first= Dan|date=August 20, 2021 |title=Fanatics strikes deal to become exclusive licensee for MLB cards |url=https://www.espn.com.au/mlb/story/_/id/32052284/fanatics-strikes-deal-become-exclusive-licensee-mlb-cards |website=ESPN Australia |location= |publisher= |access-date=March 18, 2026}} Panini has continued to make baseball cards since their license with the MLBPA expired, with the ability to only feature individuals not covered by the Players Association (typically retired/deceased players, or minor league players). These have been called "pajama cards" by collectors, as the player uniforms have been edited to remove team logos and trademarks of Major League Baseball, giving the appearance of athletes wearing pajamas. {{cite web |last=Holder |first=Larry |date=December 9, 2025 |title=Inside Panini’s ‘weird’ sales pitch as it battles Fanatics for the future of sports cards |url= https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6862085/2025/12/09/sports-trading-cards-panini-fanatics/|website=The Athletic |location= |publisher=NY Times |access-date=March 18, 2026}} In October 2023, Panini became the Official Trading Card partner of [EuroLeague](/source/EuroLeague).{{cite web |last1=Terranova |first1=Gena |title=Euroleague Basketball and Panini America sign multi-year trading card partnership |url=https://www.paniniamerica.net/blog/euroleague-basketball-and-panini-america-sign-multi-year-trading-card-partnership/ |website=Panini America}} In May 2025, Panini became the Official Trading Card partner of all three divisions (as well as the [EFL Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) and [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)) of the [English Football League](/source/English_Football_League) starting for the 2025-26 Season.{{Cite web |last=EFL |date=2025-05-29 |title=EFL and Panini announce new partnership |url=https://efl.com/news/2025/may/29/efl-and-panini-announce-new-partnership/ |access-date=2025-05-29 |website=EFL |language=en}} In March 2026, it was announced that the [NWSL](/source/National_Women's_Soccer_League) and the NWSLPA had entered a multi-year partnership with Panini to produce trading cards, digital collectibles on Panini’s [blockchain](/source/blockchain) and an official sticker collection.{{Cite web |last=Gaspar |first=Melina |date=2026-03-11 |title=Panini, the NWSL, and the NWSLPA team up for a multi-year trading card alliance |url=https://www.allforxi.com/latest-news/13646/panini-the-nwsl-and-the-nwslpa-team-up-for-a-multi-year-trading-card-alliance |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=All For XI |language=en-US}} In May 2026, it was revealed that global sports platform [Fanatics, Inc.](/source/Fanatics%2C_Inc.) had signed an exclusive collective licensing deal with [FIFA](/source/FIFA) to become the exclusive licensor of collectible cards, stickers, and [card game](/source/card_game)s for the [World Cup](/source/FIFA_World_Cup) and other FIFA events. The agreement will be effective from 2031 onward.[https://www.fanaticsinc.com/press-releases/fifa-and-fanatics-expand-wide-ranging-relationship-to-include-historic-exclusive-collectibles-agreement-trading-cards-stickers-and-trading-card-games FIFA and Fanatics expand wide-ranging relationship to include historic exclusive collectibles agreement (trading cards, stickers and trading card games)] at fifa.com. 7 May 2026 The deal cut the long-term partnership between FIFA and Panini, which had been the licensee for over five decades.[https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48701397/fifa-drop-panini-world-cup-deal-fanatics-2031 FIFA to drop Panini for World Cup deal with Fanatics in 2031] by Dan Hajducky at espn.com. 7 May 2026 ==Panini America== {{multiple image | image1 = KBryant8.jpg | image2 = Shahter-Reak M 2015 (18).jpg | total_width = 300 | footer = Superstars [Kobe Bryant](/source/Kobe_Bryant) (left) and [Cristiano Ronaldo](/source/Cristiano_Ronaldo) signed exclusive deals with Panini in 2009 and 2015, respectively. }} In January 2009, the [National Basketball Association](/source/National_Basketball_Association) (NBA) announced Panini would become the exclusive trading card partner of the league beginning with the [2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_NBA_season) season. In March of that year, the Panini Group purchased assets of the industry's second-oldest trading-card company, [Donruss](/source/Donruss), and formed the new subsidiary, "Panini America". The company continued to operate out of [Irving, Texas](/source/Irving%2C_Texas), with much of the existing upper management.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2009/03/13/panini-buys-donruss.html |title=Panini Buys Donruss |date=13 March 2009 |access-date=2009-03-13 |publisher=CNBC}} Panini signed an exclusive agreement with five-time NBA champion [Kobe Bryant](/source/Kobe_Bryant) of the [Los Angeles Lakers](/source/Los_Angeles_Lakers) as its official company spokesman and global trading card ambassador in 2009. Bryant's special affiliation to Panini goes back to his time growing up in Italy, where he collected Italian football stickers.{{cite news |title=Bryant Leaves Upper Deck, Signs with Panini |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2009/09/29/bryant-leaves-upper-deck-signs-with-panini.html |access-date=10 September 2018 |agency=CNBC}} In March 2010, the [National Hockey League Players' Association](/source/National_Hockey_League_Players'_Association) (NHLPA) and [National Hockey League](/source/National_Hockey_League) (NHL) granted Panini Group a multi-year trading card licence,{{Cite web |date=2010-03-24 |title=Panini nabs NHL license for 2010-2011 |url=https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/cards/panini-added-to-list-of-nhl-card-makers |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=Sports Collectors Digest}} marking the third major sports licence Panini Group had secured since establishing a presence in the U.S. in 2009. According to the Panini Group, the [2010 FIFA World Cup](/source/2010_FIFA_World_Cup) sticker album sold 10 million packs in the U.S. alone.[https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/06/06/panini-world-cup-sticker-album-history-tradition “The Magic, Global Craze and Tradition of Panini's World Cup Sticker Albums”]. ''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved 2 September 2018 In 2016, Panini America paid [Cristiano Ronaldo](/source/Cristiano_Ronaldo) $170,000 for signing 1,000 Panini stickers, while [Neymar](/source/Neymar) received $50,000 for signing 600.{{cite news |title=Revealed: How Cristiano Ronaldo 'cashed in £139,000 from Panini stickers' |url=http://lebuzz.eurosport.co.uk/viral/revealed-how-cristiano-ronaldo-cashed-in-139000-from-panini-stickers-22823/ |access-date=9 September 2018 |agency=Eurosport}} This subsidiary holds official licences for the NBA, [NFL](/source/National_Football_League), [NASCAR](/source/NASCAR), [WWE](/source/WWE), [FIFA](/source/FIFA), [The Collegiate Licensing Company](/source/The_Collegiate_Licensing_Company) (CLC), [Disney](/source/Disney), [DreamWorks](/source/DreamWorks_Pictures), and [Warner Bros.](/source/Warner_Bros.){{Cite web |title=Sports Card Packs, Boxes and Cases - Shop All Trading Cards! |url=https://www.steelcitycollectibles.com/shop-trading-cards?configuration=booster_box+box&af=afn615736c0124ea |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=www.steelcitycollectibles.com}} Panini also has exclusive partnerships with [Pop Warner Little Scholars](/source/Pop_Warner_Little_Scholars), Inc.,{{Cite web |last=chrisolds |title=Panini, Pop Warner extend sponsorship - Beckett News |url=https://www.beckett.com/news/panini-pop-warner-extend-sponsorship-deal/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251205044728/https://www.beckett.com/news/panini-pop-warner-extend-sponsorship-deal/ |archive-date=2025-12-05 |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=www.beckett.com |language=en-US}} the [Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame](/source/Naismith_Memorial_Basketball_Hall_of_Fame),{{Cite web |last=Bartsch |first=Tom |date=2013-02-15 |title=Panini Extends Exclusive Deal with Basketball Hall of Fame |url=https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/cards/panini-extends-exclusive-deal-with-basketball-hall-of-fame |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=Sports Collectors Digest |language=en}} and the [Pro Football Hall of Fame](/source/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame).{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Michael |date=2010-08-03 |title=Panini America acquire Pro Football Hall of Fame license |url=https://www.sportspro.com/news/panini_america_acquire_pro_football_hall_of_fame_license/ |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}} In January 2021, Panini America signed an exclusive multi-year trading card deal with the [Ultimate Fighting Championship](/source/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship) (UFC).{{cite web |last1=Cracknell |first1=Ryan |title=Panini Lands Exclusive UFC Trading Card License |url=https://www.beckett.com/news/panini-lands-exclusive-ufc-trading-card-license/ |website=Beckett}}{{Cite web |title=2021 Panini Prizm UFC Hobby Box |url=https://www.steelcitycollectibles.com/i/2021-panini-prizm-ufc-hobby-box |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Steel City Collectibles |language=en}} In August 2021, Panini America also partnered with the UFC to release [NFTs](/source/Non-fungible_token), commemorating big fights, milestones and moments.{{cite news |last1=Novy-Williams |first1=Eben |title=UFC to Sell First NFTs as Fighters Gain Share of Licensing |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ufc-sell-first-nfts-fighters-123041217.html |publisher=Yahoo |date=August 5, 2021}} In June 2025, Panini America was announced as the title sponsor of the [Senior Bowl](/source/Senior_Bowl),{{cite press release |url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/paniniseniorbowl/ |title=Senior Bowl Announces Panini America as New Title Sponsor |website=seniorbowl.com |date=June 24, 2025 |accessdate=September 22, 2025}} a post-season [college football](/source/college_football) all-star game played annually in late January or early February in [Mobile, Alabama](/source/Mobile%2C_Alabama). In October 2025, [Konami Cross Media NY](/source/Konami_Cross_Media_NY) announced that it has signed publishing deals with Random House Children's Books and Panini Group for the [Yu-Gi-Oh!](/source/Yu-Gi-Oh!) franchise.{{Cite web |date=2025-10-08 |title=Konami Partners With Random House & Panini to Expand Yu-Gi-Oh! Into Global Children’s Publishing Market |url=https://respawn.outlookindia.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/konami-taps-major-publishers-to-expand-yu-gi-oh-franchise |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=Outlook Respawn |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Angelucci |first=Cristina |date=2025-10-07 |title=Konami Cross Media NY Signs Major Publishing Deals for Yu-Gi-Oh! |url=https://www.licensingmagazine.com/2025/10/07/konami-cross-media-ny-signs-major-publishing-deals-for-yu-gi-oh/ |access-date=2026-04-13 |website=Licensing Magazine |language=en-US}} In November 2025, Panini and the [WNBA players' association](/source/Women's_National_Basketball_Players_Association) agreed to a new licensing deal, which would be the largest licensing deal on record for a women's sports rightsholder.{{Cite web |last=Hajducky |first=Dan |date=2025-11-20 |title=Panini America, WNBA players association ink record licensing deal |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/47039284/panini-america-wnba-players-association-ink-record-licensing-deal |access-date=2026-04-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Also in November, Panini America was sued by rival trading card maker Wild Card, who alleged that Panini had violated U.S. and Texas [antitrust law](/source/Competition_law) by threatening Wild Card's distribution partners, thereby "reducing output, suppressing innovation, and preserving Panini’s dominant market power".{{Cite web |last=Burrows |first=Ben |date=2025-11-06 |title=Wild Card files antitrust lawsuit against Panini America |url=https://www.cllct.com/sports-collectibles/sports-cards/wild-card-files-antitrust-lawsuit-against-panini-america |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=cllct |language=en}} === Legal issues === In August 2023, Panini America filed an antitrust lawsuit against [Fanatics](/source/Fanatics%2C_Inc.), a sports platform, alleging that the company engaged in anticompetitive conduct in the sports trading card market. Fanatics denied the allegations and filed a countersuit, also in August 2023, asserting that its licensing agreements were lawfully negotiated and that Panini had engaged in improper business practices during related negotiations. Litigation between the two companies remains ongoing.{{Cite web |last=Strauss |first=Ben |date=2025-09-10 |title=It's Fanatics vs. Panini in a bitter fight to control the sports card industry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/09/10/fanatics-panini-sports-card-lawsuit/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=The Washington Post}}{{Cite web |date=2026-02-04 |title=Panini files federal antitrust lawsuit against Fanatics |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2023/08/03/panini-america-antitrust-lawsuit-fanatics/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Hajducky |first=Dan |date=2023-08-07 |title=Fanatics files countersuit to Panini America's antitrust lawsuit |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/38149489/fanatics-files-countersuit-panini-america-antitrust-lawsuit |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Holder |first=Larry |date=2025-12-09 |title=Inside Panini’s ‘weird’ sales pitch as it battles Fanatics for the future of sports cards |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6862085/2025/12/09/sports-trading-cards-panini-fanatics/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} In November 2025, Tennessee-based trading card company Wild Card filed an antitrust lawsuit against Panini America in the [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas](/source/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Eastern_District_of_Texas), alleging that Panini used anticompetitive conduct to push Wild Card out of the market and blocked its access to distribution and production channels.{{Cite web |date=2025-11-07 |title=Trading card company files lawsuit against Panini America |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/11/07/trading-card-company-files-lawsuit-against-panini-america/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Sports Business Journal}} The complaint claims that in 2021, Panini warned distributors that carrying Wild Card products would have “consequences,” causing several to withdraw support. It further claims that Panini hired [Citibank](/source/Citibank) to explore a potential sale of the company, while simultaneously asserting that Fanatics’ acquisition of [Topps](/source/Topps) would make it harder for Panini to remain profitable.{{Cite web |last=Casady |first=Michelle |date=2025-11-11 |title=Trading card company Panini America hit with monopoly claims |url=https://www.dallasnews.com/business/local-companies/2025/11/11/trading-card-company-panini-america-hit-with-monopoly-claims/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Dallas News}}{{Cite web |date=2026-02-04 |title=Trading card company files lawsuit against Panini America |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/11/07/trading-card-company-files-lawsuit-against-panini-america/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-10-30 |title=Soccer stickers maker Panini picks Citi as adviser to explore options, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/soccer-stickers-maker-panini-picks-citi-adviser-explore-options-sources-say-2025-10-30/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=Reuters}}{{Cite news |last=Holder |first=Larry |date=2025-12-09 |title=Inside Panini’s ‘weird’ sales pitch as it battles Fanatics for the future of sports cards |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6862085/2025/12/09/sports-trading-cards-panini-fanatics/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Wild Card is seeking [injunctive relief](/source/Injunction) and neutral allocation policies.{{Cite web |last=Holder |first=Larry |date=2025-12-09 |title=Inside Panini's 'weird' sales pitch as it battles Fanatics for the future of sports cards |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6785520/2025/11/06/panini-wild-card-antitrust-lawsuit/ |access-date=2026-02-04 |website=The Athletic}} ==Panini family philanthropy== Giuseppe Panini, the eldest brother and the founder of the business, and a collector himself, financed the creation of the ''Raccolte Fotografiche Modenesi'' (Modena's photographic collections), an archive of more than 300,000 photographs and a similar number of postcards, describing the life of the city and the evolution of photographic art.[http://www.fondazionefotografia.org/fondo/fondo-giuseppe-panini/ “Fondo Giuseppe Panini”]. Fondazione Fotografia. Retrieved 8 September 2018 ==See also== {{portal|Association football}} * [Almanacco Illustrato del Calcio](/source/Almanacco_Illustrato_del_Calcio) * [Association football trading card](/source/Association_football_trading_card) ==References== {{Reflist|2}} == External links == {{Commons category}} * {{official website}} * [http://www.laststicker.com/publishers/panini/ List of Panini collections] on Last Sticker website {{Panini Group}} {{Sports cards}} {{Non-sports trading cards}} {{Authority control}} Category:Association football culture Category:Book publishing companies of Italy Category:Italian brands Category:Trading cards Category:Trading card companies Category:Italian companies established in 1961 --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Panini Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panini_Group) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panini_Group?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.