As the pages of the calendar turn to reveal the first two weeks of May 2024, sports card enthusiasts are filled with a special kind of frenzy. There’s a bevy of card releases on the horizon that spread across a host of sports including baseball, basketball, golf, and racing. In this piece, we’ll be diving deep into the upcoming releases, touching upon regular as well as unique card formats from some of your favorite series.
Let’s kick off with what the very first day of the month has in store for us. On May 1, 2024, ‘2024 Topps Heritage Mini Baseball’ is making a comeback. Giving a nostalgic nod to the rare 1975 mini set, this online-exclusive series offers a 500-card base set. The Hobby version, with its 24 packs (each containing nine cards) and an autograph or relic, has the collectors buzzing. Adding an extra dollop of excitement is the first-ever on-card autograph of Juan Soto in a Yankees uniform.
The first day of May also heralds the return of ‘2022-23 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey’, a long-held staple in the realm of hockey card collecting. Each box houses a solitary pack of four cards, which encapsulates an autograph, a high-end memorabilia, or autograph memorabilia card. Additionally, the package includes an extra memorabilia card and a base or rookie card, where autographs are assured on-card.
Meanwhile, down at the basketball court, the ‘2023-24 Panini Recon Basketball’ release is set to add more rookie cards of Victor Wembanyama to its roster. Each Hobby box will have ten packs that come with six cards, including two autographs and 20 inserts.
Fast forward to May 8, 2024 and we have the ‘2024 Bowman Baseball’ cards slated for release. A mainstay since its revival in 1989, the Bowman, now covering various sports, presents Hobby boxes with a Chrome autographed card and Jumbo boxes with three autographs.
On the same day, basketball fans will be treated to the release of ‘2023-24 Panini Crown Royale Basketball’. Each box contains eight cards, one autograph, one memorabilia card, and two inserts or parallels. Sweetening the deal are the prized Tim Duncan autographs.
Two more releases are set to hit the shelves on May 8 – the ‘2024 Upper Deck SP Game Used Golf’ and ‘2023 Panini National Treasures Racing’, catering to the interests of golf and racing enthusiasts.
The excitement continues on May 10, 2024, with ‘2023-24 Panini Select Basketball’. This release, a key part of Panini’s basketball line, will feature twelve packs, each housing five cards including three autographs or memorabilia cards. Adding to its appeal are its Prizm parallels and memorabilia-laden rookie cards.
Likewise, the football world will be abuzz with the release of ‘2023/24 Donruss Soccer’. Although the details on box configurations and key features are yet to be unveiled, the anticipation among collectors remains high.
Whether you are a die-hard fan of traditional sports like baseball and basketball or find your adrenaline rush in sports like golf and racing, the early May card release schedule promises to captivate you. The stage is set, the anticipation is high and the first fortnight of May 2024 is filled with thrilling sports card releases. So, for all you sports card fanatics, get your checklists ready and brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride!
