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Bundesliga and Topps launch one-of-one 'Starting XI Debut Patch' for 2026/27 season

By HY3
October 17 2026, 10:56 PM

Bundesliga and Topps fuse the pitch with the collector's album

The Bundesliga and its official licensing partner Topps have created a direct bridge between on-pitch action and the world of collecting with the launch of the Starting XI Debut Patch for the 2026/27 season. From this campaign onward, every player making their first appearance in a Bundesliga starting line-up is honoured with a special patch sewn onto the jersey for that unique career milestone.

Bundesliga match action during the 2026/27 season

Each player receives the badge only once in their career, for their first Bundesliga start. Immediately after the match, the patch is removed from the shirt and secured for further use. It is then incorporated into an exclusive trading card, personally signed by the player, making every card a genuine one-of-one collectible that will later be inserted into selected Bundesliga trading card collections produced by Topps.

For fans, this creates the chance to chase one of the rarest collectibles in German football: an authentic, player-signed card featuring the actual Starting XI Debut Patch worn during the player's first Bundesliga start.

A milestone worth preserving

"For every player, their first Bundesliga start is a milestone and the reward for many years of hard work, sacrifice and passion," said Peer Naubert, Chief Commercial Officer of Bundesliga Media. "With the Starting XI Debut Patch, we are making this special moment visible and preserving it permanently as part of football history. Together with Topps, we are connecting an authentic moment on the pitch with fans' passion for collecting and creating a keepsake that can exist only once."

A first among Europe's top leagues

With the introduction of the Starting XI Debut Patch, the Bundesliga becomes the first major European professional football league to implement this concept. The program made its debut during the Bundesliga season-opening match in Munich between Bayern and Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.

Who receives a Starting XI Debut Patch?

Every player making their first Bundesliga start receives the honour. Whether an academy graduate, a new signing or an established professional, every debut starter earns their own patch. In the case of players who are still minors at the time of their debut, the patch is only included in a Bundesliga trading card collection after the player has reached their 18th birthday.

A new dimension for collectors

Since 2008, the Bundesliga and Topps have worked closely together to capture special moments and memorabilia from German professional football through trading cards. Among the most sought-after relic cards are those containing authentic pieces of jerseys, goal nets, match balls or game-worn football boots, as well as cards featuring metal shavings from the engraving of the Meisterschale trophy, awarded to the Bundesliga champions.

The new Starting XI Debut Patch Card expands this portfolio with another extraordinary collectible, combining an authentic matchday artifact with one of the most emotional moments in a professional footballer's career. The first trading cards featuring embedded Starting XI Debut Patches will be available from spring 2027 in the Topps product "Bundesliga Chrome."

Who has earned a Debut Patch?

Matchday 5

Matchday 4

Matchday 3

Matchday 2

Matchday 1

Sources: https://bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bundesliga-and-topps-launch-starting-xi-debut-patch-for-the-2026-27-season-38780