Topps will hold its first ever “Collector Appreciation Day” across the country on Sept. 20, where card collectors can unlock a variety of rewards at several MLB ballparks as well as retailers by simply showing a Topps card.
Fans attending games in New York, Baltimore and Cincinnati can flash cards of the respective home team from any year to unlock free in-stadium food and swag. For collectors not in those cities, Topps has partnered with national retailers that have become more prolific within the hobby in the past year.
Here’s a roundup of what fans can snag at the three games:
New York Mets (Citi Field): Free hot dog voucher for the first 500 fans who show a Topps Mets card.
Baltimore Orioles (Camden Yards): $15 concession voucher for the first 500 fans with a Topps Orioles card.
Cincinnati Reds (Great American Ball Park): Mystery Reds promotional item for the first 500 fans with a Topps Reds card.
Here’s what card collectors can anticipate from appreciation day from vendors nationwide:
Dick’s Sporting Goods: Customers who show any Topps card at designated Collector’s Clubhouse locations to receive an exclusive Wincraft pin. At additional Dick’s stores where Topps cards are sold, fans will also receive bonus reward points.
GameStop: Customers who show any Topps entertainment card can receive collector perks ranging from discounted card supplies, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) “Rip & Submit” grading services, and a $20 gift card with the purchase of a Topps Marvel Heroes 1975, Star Wars Chrome, 2025 Marvel Chrome, or 2025 Garbage Pail Kids 40th Anniversary hobby box.
MLB Store NYC: MLB Store will be offering an exclusive hat pin for the first 150 customers who bring in a Topps baseball card.
Dick’s most famous step into the sports card hobby occurred earlier this year when the company purchased the Paul Skenes 2024 Topps Chrome Update Rookie Debut Patch one-of-one autographed card via auction for $1.1 million. The card resides in one of the chain’s stores in Pittsburgh.
GameStop has ramped up its supply of sports and entertainment cards also within the past year. Maybe the most significant addition by GameStop, though, came when the shop became a submission hub for PSA, where cards can be sent off for grading.
Collector Appreciation Day is the latest in a series of Topps efforts to bring unique forms of value to a wider variety of cards. In 2023, the company experimented with “Tacofractor” cards, which could be redeemed for a $15,000 Taco Bell gift card if the player on it was the first to steal a base in that year’s World Series. It has also run buyback and redemption programs for the cards of MLB, UFC, and WWE stars who achieve certain milestones.
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission.
(Top photo: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images)
Sep 12, 2025
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle