We snagged a couple of boxes of Topps UEFA Champions League Club Competitions 2022/23 to bring you this review. Is it worth collecting, or would we give this paper release a miss?
Yet another release in the soccer calendar, 2022/23 Topps UEFA Club Competitions focuses on the biggest club competitions in Europe. Topps says:
“Topps is excited to announce the release of Topps UEFA Champions League Club Competitions 2022/23! Loaded with exciting new designs and parallels, this collection features the world’s biggest stars from the UEFA’s Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League. Look out for star ball parallels, autograph cards and search for Official UCL Draw Card Autograph Relics featuring authentic draw cards from the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League competition draw, combined with autographs of the biggest names.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the set to get started.
What to expect:
There’s a 200-card base set, as well as a collection of inserts to chase. Here’s a rundown with the numbered parallels, the odds, and lots of additional information about Topps UEFA Champions League Club Competitions 2022/23:
Base set parallels:
– Starball Parallel: 5 Per Box, on average.
– Pink Sparkle Parallel: 3 Per Box, on average.
– Icy Aqua Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 399.
– Yellow Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 299.
– Neon Green Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 199.
– Black & White Icy Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 150.
– Blue Inferno Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 125.
– Icy Blue Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 99.
– Purple Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 75.
– Gold Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Icy Black Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 10.
– Red Foil Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– Printing Plates: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1
Inserts:
- Road to the Final – 1:6 Packs: The UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, three different competitions, three different locations but all with one thing in common: the best players, all battling for glory on the road to the final.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– Printing Plates: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1. - PERFECT10N – 1:144 Hobby Packs: The No. 10 shirt is a badge of honor. Collect the most exciting current and iconic legends to have worn the number 10 from across UEFA’s club competitions in this die-cut insert.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1. - Best of the Best – 1:8 Hobby Packs: The numbers don’t lie! This season’s insert highlights the top performers across 10 unique stat categories, showcasing the game’s greatest and last season’s superstars.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1. - Premium Partnerships – 1:12 Hobby Packs: Search for new duo cards that capture the best current and legendary partnerships from across UEFA’s club competitions.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
– Autograph Parallel - Now Starring – 1:4 Hobby Packs: Unveiling the top transfers from an absorbing summer, get ready to collect the biggest names as they grace their new club colours for the challenge ahead.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor Parallel: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
Autos and Relics
Base Card Autograph Variations
– Blue Icy Parallel: sequentially #’d to 99.
– Gold Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Black Icy Parallel: sequentially #’d to 10.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
Ultimate Stage Autographs
– Blue Icy FB Parallel: sequentially #’d to 99.
– Gold Starball Parallel: sequentially #’d to 50.
– Orange FB Parallel: sequentially #’d to 25.
– Black Icy Parallel: sequentially #’d to 10.
– Red Parallel: sequentially #’d to 5.
– FoilFractor: sequentially #’d 1 of 1.
1959 Topps Autograph Parallel
– Base Autograph Parallel
– Foilfractor Autograph Parallel #’d 1/1
Road to the Final Autograph Parallel
– Base Autograph Parallel
– Foilfractor Autograph Parallel #’d 1/1
Now Starring Autograph Parallel
– Base Autograph Parallel
– Foilfractor Autograph Parallel #’d 1/1
Premium Partnerships Autograph Parallel
– Base Autograph Parallel
– Foilfractor Autograph Parallel #’d 1/1
Official Draw Card Autograph Relics – 1 of 1
The Best Topps UCC Cards
We selected the best 2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship cards based on the following criteria:
- Values: We’ve factored in for some of the most valuable 2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship cards on the market
- Rarity: Rarity will always have a role to play in terms of interest and pricing
- Popularity and branding: How popular is the parallel, or the set itself?
- Rookie cards: RCs are always going to sell for a premium, as the first ever cards to feature a footballer
- Potential ROI: Arguably most important, can you expect a decent potential ROI if it’s a long-term hold?
3. 2022-23 Topps UCC 1st Edition Cards (eBay)
It doesn’t matter whether it’s Julian Alvarez or Luka Modric, a 1st Edition version of a Topps UCC card is going to be worth more than base copies. The 1st Edition version of the set was released beforehand, and it can be identified thanks to a small logo found on the front of the card, on the lower left of the artwork.
Check prices of 2022-23 Topps UCC 1st Edition Cards on eBay
2. 2022-23 Topps UCC Autos (eBay)
I’ve seen a few of the autos packed in breaks, and they’re always likely to be some of the best hits contained in boxes. Take a look at the numbered Jude Bellingham signature seen above as an example. The set includes the likes of Erling Haaland, but it is a stickered auto.
Check prices of 2022-23 Topps UCC Autos on eBay
1. 2022-23 Topps UCC Parallels (eBay)
We’ve listed the various parallels found above, with a variety of one of ones and rare autos to chase. 2022/23 also has a decent rookie class, and you can find a link to the full checklist below. The set contains Official UCL Draw Card Autograph Relics ‘featuring authentic draw cards from the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League competition draw, combined with autographs of the biggest names’.
Check prices of 2022-23 Topps UCC Parallels on eBay
2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship: Checklist
A full checklist for 2022-23 UCC Flagship has been provided by Topps and can be found here.
2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship: What we packed
There were no autos to be found in either of my boxes, which is never surprising considering the sheer amount of products that are printed nowadays. The Randall Kolo Muani ‘Now Starring’ insert is a gold parallel, and numbered to 50 copies in total. All in all, it was a decent haul, even if boxes could probably do with being a little cheaper. Parallels dropped at a rate of 3-4 per box.
2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship Review: Final Thoughts
The 2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship set is definitely going to be a popular collection, with a strong selection of rookie cards and a heap of new inserts to collect. It’s not a bad rip, as long as you’re prepared for a chance of no autographs when all is said and done. This 2022-23 Topps UCC Flagship review was fun to write, and it’s a decent set for beginners.