Panini America Signed Minor League Licensing Agreement

The multi-year deal grants Panini access to the entire active Minor League Baseball player pool.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a baseball player mid-swing on a field, captured with brush strokes and a warm color palette. — Panini America has finalized a multi-year licensing agreement granting the company rights to include active Minor League Baseball players in upcoming sports card collections. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Panini America has secured a new non-exclusive, multi-year licensing agreement with MLB Players, Inc. The deal covers all active Minor League Baseball players, allowing for their inclusion in future card releases.

Why it matters

This agreement provides Panini the necessary group rights to build prospect-focused checklists, enabling the integration of Minor League players alongside collegiate and retired athletes.

Panini America is authorized to release up to 12 products per year featuring Minor League players. The 2026 Three and Two Baseball set will mark the first release under this new arrangement.

The players

Panini America

Panini America is a major manufacturer of sports and entertainment trading cards and collectibles.

MLB Players, Inc.

MLB Players, Inc. is the business arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association that manages player group licensing rights.

Fanatics Collectibles

Fanatics Collectibles is a sports card manufacturer that holds fully licensed MLB product rights through its Topps brand.

The details

While Panini now has access to the full Minor League player pool, it does not possess a license for official MLB team names, logos, or uniforms. The company intends to utilize this access for brands such as Prizm Baseball and Donruss Elite Extra Edition.

September 28, 2026: Panini and MLB Players, Inc. announced the new licensing agreement.
November 2026: The 2026 Three and Two Baseball set is scheduled for release.

Season Trajectory

This deal significantly expands the competitive landscape of the baseball card market by allowing Panini to better compete with fully licensed products. It shifts the prospect-card market dynamic by securing blanket rights that were previously unavailable for earlier releases like the 2025 Three and Two set.

Collectors can expect the 2026 Three and Two Baseball set to include a wider range of active prospects than previous limited-scope releases. The move specifically broadens the availability of authorized minor league content for fans of Panini product lines.

The takeaway

This agreement provides Panini with long-term flexibility to design prospect-focused sets across multiple brands. Collectors should look for a more comprehensive selection of active minor league talent in future hobby releases.