Football's "Home of the Autographed Rookie Card" turns 21 this year, and Panini America has found more than a few new ways to celebrate with 2013 Contenders Football. A new edition of one of the most popular and successful releases in sports-card history is set to arrive in stores in late December, boasting five autographs and 14 inserts in every 24-pack hobby box.
Football’s “Home of the Autographed Rookie Card” turns 21 this year, and Panini America has found more than a few new ways to celebrate with 2013 Contenders Football. A new edition of one of the most popular and successful releases in sports-card history is set to arrive in stores in late December, boasting five autographs and 14 inserts in every 24-pack hobby box.
The 40 first-year stars who attended the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere will be featured with on-card autographs in Contenders’ landmark Rookie Ticket RC subset. There are also a healthy variety of collectible parallel versions, including Playoff Tickets (numbered to 99), Cracked Ice Tickets (numbered to 21), and Championship and Printing Plate Tickets numbered to only one.
Contenders’ popular Rookie Ink on-card-signed insert has received a dramatic face lift for 2013, and will be joined for the first time by an NFL Ink counterpart that features the game’s top veterans on autograph cards numbered to 25 or less.
2013 Contenders Football also boasts the return of several brand-staple inserts, including Rookie of the Year Contenders (20 cards, with autographs numbered to 25), Round Numbers (with autographs numbered to 25 or less), MVP Contenders (10 cards, with autographs numbered to 25 or less) and the 14kt-gold Golden Ticket 1/1s.
Many of this year’s top rookie signers already have returned their Contenders autographs, and you can catch a glimpse of what’s in store here, here and here. We also preview the rest of this year’s release below. Enjoy, and stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance for additional coverage of 2013 Contenders Football in the coming weeks.
All information is accurate at the time of posting. Content is subject to change. Card images are solely for the purpose of design display.
Wow!!! I can’t wait!
Eww side ways autos. Get rid of those
Love the “Round Numbers” parallel; Patterson/Hopkins makes for a killer duo ‘graph! Likewise, the design of the Geno Smith & Luck autos is really sharp! As they are each and every season, Contenders rookie autos will be highly sought and command impressive sums on the 2ndry market…and with good reason.
What’s with the red and yellow background color schemes on half of these cards? That looks terrible…
The rookie tickets I always love, I do wish the white box was a little smaller but looks like another hit! ?Always packs the hottest rookies of the year!
Nice preview, that Luck is stellar. Thanks Tracy!