Our First Look at Topps Merlin UEFA Club Competitions 2024/25

Get a brew on and get yourself ready, Topps have dropped the details for one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year: Topps Merlin UEFA Club Competitions 2024/25!

For us collectors, Merlin has always had that special, mystical appeal—it’s where the legends meet the future stars, and this year’s release looks absolutely packed with magic. It’s got that pure footballing heritage, covering the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, meaning your chase list just got very long.

We’ve had a  good poke around the first-look details, and we’re here to give you the lowdown on what you’ll be hunting for when pre-orders drop on November 17th.

The Base Set: A Mystical Trove of Talent

Forget your standard checklist; Merlin always brings the best. The base set this year is a spellbinding 200 cards deep, mixing up the very best of the past, present, and future.

You'll be chasing those fresh-faced rookies making their mark on the European stage, the solid veterans we all know and love, and, crucially, the retired heroes who defined the competition. That base set diversity is what makes the master set such a proper challenge, and we love it!

The Inserts: Ageless Alchemy and Elite Society

This is where t

he product truly shines, and it looks like Topps are bringing back some fan favourites while dropping a brand-new insert that’s got us buzzing.

• Mystic Nights: They shimmer once more! These are always show-stoppers, and they look set to be some of the most sought-after cards in the entire release.

• Ageless Alchemy: Working its eternal charm, these cards celebrate the timeless talents in the game. You know the quality here—they’re just gorgeous cards to pull.

And now, for the debut! Keep your eyes peeled for Elite Society. While details are still a bit hush-hush, the name itself suggests a stunning, premium design highlighting the very top echelon of players. We reckon these are going to be tough pulls and instant hits!

The Autographs: Chasing the Sacred Treasures

For those of us who live for the ink, Merlin has delivered some serious fire. Autographs remain as coveted as ever, and two specific sets are going to cause a frenzy in the breaker rooms:

1. European Knights Autographs: Mark this down, lads—these are the real treasures! The European Knights Autographs are exclusively available in lucky breaker boxes. That’s right, you’ve got to be in it to win it, and finding one of these will definitely give you the bragging rights for the week.

2. Marks of Excellence: The ever-powerful Marks of Excellence set is back too. These are always a great pull, showcasing pristine signatures from some of the biggest names in European football.
   

The Chases: What Dreams Are Made Of

Now, this is where it gets spicy! Every year Merlin delivers some absolute monster cards that become the envy of every collector. Here are a few that have got our radar pinging:

• Autograph Relics: Oh yes, you read that right! Imagine pulling a card with an on-card autograph and a piece of match-worn memorabilia. These are the holy grail for many, combining two of the most desirable elements into one incredible card. Expect these to be ultra-rare and fiercely contested.

• Merlin's Matchball Relics: A classic that always delivers! These cards feature a piece of an actual UEFA Champions League matchball. There's just something special about holding a piece of history from the beautiful game. They're typically quite limited, making them fantastic finds.

• Die-Cut Autographs: While we've seen the stunning die-cut inserts, imagine combining that intricate design with an autograph from a superstar. These are often short-printed and incredibly eye-catching, adding another layer of desirability to your pulls.

• The 1/1s: Of course, every product has its ultimate chase—the 1/1 parallels. Whether it's a parallel of a rookie, a veteran, or an autograph, pulling a one-of-one Merlin card is the pinnacle. These truly unique cards are the stuff of legends and will undoubtedly fetch princely sums.

• Short-Print Case Hits: Merlin always has a few surprise short-print inserts or case hits that aren't announced upfront but become instant legends once discovered. Keep an eye on social media once the product drops, because these often become the biggest chases of all!

The pre-order drops on the 17th of November, so start clearing some shelf space, because this one is going to fly off the digital shelves. Get ready to chase those mystical rookies and sacred signatures, and as always, send us your best pulls!

Good luck with the chase, and may the Ageless Alchemy be with you!