Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin on FIFA Partnership, Growth of Sports Gaming and Prediction Markets
The agreement gives Fanatics rights to FIFA collectibles from 2031 and ends Panini’s World Cup sticker run after the 2030 finals.
- FIFA announced on Thursday that it will end Panini's decades-long World Cup sticker license after 2030, naming Fanatics as its exclusive collectibles partner starting in 2031.
- Panini's association with the World Cup stretches back more than 50 years, with the company producing official sticker albums from 1970 through the 2030 tournament.
- Fanatics Chief Executive Michael Rubin said "global football is the biggest growth opportunity in sports," emphasizing the partnership will elevate collectibles engagement around the game.
- Amid legal disputes, Panini engaged CitiGroup as financial advisor to explore strategic options including a potential sale while alleging a "protracted, unlawful and deceitful campaign" by Fanatics.
- Managing in-venue retail operations for 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Fanatics will serve as the official on-site retail licensee for the 2026 World Cup.
50 Articles
50 Articles
The Italian company Panini, which has created vignette albums for the World Cup since 1970, will be replaced in 2031 by the Americans of Fanatics. A decision that has difficulty to pass with the netizens...
FIFA announced the end of its historic relationship with Panini to give way to an exclusive alliance with Fanatics from 2031. The agreement includes the use of real patches from the 2026 World Cup debutants in future chromes.
FIFA announced that the historic collaboration with Panini will come to an end in 2030, after more than five decades of producing the iconic albums of the World Cup. Starting in 2031, the rights will pass to Topps, brand of Fanatics Collectibles, who will be in charge of creating the new albums, films and official letters. Panini will still publish the collectibles of the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2030 World Cup, closing an era begun in Mex…
Change closes partnership initiated in the Brazilian tri-championate and strengthens innovation strategy in the collectibles market with new partner.
This is the end of a tradition for generations of fans: the famous Panini albums of the World Cup will disappear after the 2030 edition.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 73% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
