This has been the case for decades with football stickers among other vehicles of this kind capturing the imagination of sports fans. More than just collectibles, these small adhesive backed pictures of players, teams and badges are a part of football culture that supplies the ingredients in bringing fans closer to the game. After all, football stickers offer something for everyone in the vast world of sports collecting- bringing home a piece that history like few other items.
In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of football stickers – from their history and importance to how you can collect them successfully. So, let’s get started!
The football sticker, a short-lived history
Football stickers have been in existence for over 50 years, their roots dating as far back as the’60s. Modern Panini Football Stickers1961 Italian company, Paninibecame the first manufacturers of football stickers as we know them today. The inaugural Panini collection “Calciatori” was the product that helped shape what we have come to know with today’s global success.
Football stickers have changed significantly over the years and many other companies to release their own versions. This is the most recognizable brand worldwide and you might remember its famous World Cup sticker albums (which are still published today, by the way).
What drives people to collect football stickers
They are simple and bring fans joy. Presented below are some of the reasons why collectors love collecting them.
Nostalgia and Tradition
In fact, football stickers is tradition passed on through the generations by many. Stickerising a player can evoke memories of your childhood and, quite possibly, take you back to the days when football was played on Saturday mornings; it is being stuck into an album like Jackie Chan kicking ass in Rumble In The Bronx.
Connection to the Game
Football provides fans with a connection to the game and stickers only helpfans get closer. Having a sticker of your favorite player or team is more personal and feels like an exact piece of the sport itself.
The Thrill of the Hunt
Part of the fun is that feeling when chasing down a single elusive sticker to get your album finished. There’s a real excitement when you trade something with another collector too, and it just adds to the adventure.
Potential Value
Well, even thought many collectors do it for pure love of game your must realize that some rare football stickers carries serious value. On the collector’s market, you can find these going for $$,$$$ LNIB and of course limited editions, older collections and absolutely mint stickers fetch higher premiums.
Types of Football Stickers
Football stickers aren’t all made equal. Here are some of the types that you will encounter more frequently —
Player Stickers
They are the basic, most typical as they feature player-specific content like statistics and team specifics. They are the staple of any football sticker collection.
Team Emblems
This is another classic type of badge which are often utilized to depict a team or several teams within the league or tournament. Stickers that are often detailed and collected by collectors.
Special Editions
For some sticker sets there are limited edition stickers available. They can be based on iconic moments, some of the all-time great players or even holographic designs. Special editions are also often rarer so they can be worth more.
Rookie Stickers
Rookies (of course), debuting for the first time ever cards are one of them. Those stickers can often be worth a lot more as the player grows into his own, particularly if he becomes a superstar.
Begin Your Football Sticker Collection
Joining the sticker revolution is uncomplicated, yet it takes good tactics as waiting and a bit of fortune to complete your panini soccer stickers puzzle. This is how you can begin :
Choose Your Focus
To start, figure out the type of stickers you wish to have a collection at. Do you want to bet on a specific team, league or tournament? Do you like to stick only players or do the others attract your attention?
Get Your First Album
You will need a sticker album if you are serious about collecting. Collections are meant to be part of a single ‘album’ (menaing they are essentially related or simlar enough), which you can easily manage and track the completion of. Hoop Grind Available at Sports Goods Department stores in digital format
Start Collecting
Sticker packs can be purchased in a number of retail stores like supermarkets, newsagents and online. More often than not each pack will give you a randomized assortment of stickers, adding to the exhilaration.
Trade with Others
Transfer is a large part of the football sticker culture. Participate in forums, meet up at spring and fall swaps or trade with your buddies to swap duplicate stickers for the ones you are missing.
Protect Your Collection
If you want your stickers to last, keep them in a cool and dry place out of direct sunlight. For incredibly rare or high-worth stickers, maybe look into getting protective sleeves/cases.
What Are Football Stickers Worth?
There are many different factors which will change the value of your football stickers. It is — and here are a few things to keep in mind:
Rarity
The rarer the sticker is—for example, if it comes from a classic or limited release collection—the more its worth will increase. It could be for instance, a rookie sticker of an eventual superstar player!
Condition
Condition is the single most driving factor in a sticker’s worth. Stickers that have not been bended or sticked and do still look like new increase the value of them.
Market Demand
Stickers can also have value like any other item from commodity (whose value changes along with market demand). The stickers of some players become more valuable than they originally were if a player breaks out, and likewise are worth less for lesser known or irrelevant players.
Authenticity
Beware of bogus stickers, especially when you buy online. Never sell items with COAs low-grade and always feel free to double check your high-dollar stickers by sending them off for authentication.
Top Football Sticker Brands
While Panini is by far the top-tier name in football stickers, there are others of note:
Panini
Football stickers means Panini. Panini: Panini is specifically a brand that stays on top of the food chain when it comes to quality designs and huge collections. Especially during the worldcup their collections gone too good.
Topps
Another player at the top of the stickers world, Topps provide a variety of collections for their football sticker market. The most popular being their Premier League offerings
Futera
Futera — somewhat in the shadows, offers premium football stickers with luxurious designs and limited editions. They are for collectors who need that little bit more.
Upper Deck
Upper Deck is of course better known for their trading cards, but they have produced a few noteworthy football sticker sets as well – especially in the States.
The Future of Football Stickers is Human — Micro.
Chatting Shit PODFollowJul 28 ·2 min read What Could The Future Hold?
Digital Stickers
So the arrival of football stickers into the digital world should definitely come as no shock. Companies like Panini have begun offering online sticker collections, which enables fans to collect and swap over the web.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Picture being able to scan a football player sticker with your phone, only for their stats or best moments quickly coming up! Plus, with the use of AR (Augmented Reality) to also include in those football stickers this could be a real game changer which would help molbilize what is already an interactive and engaging encounter.
Personalized Stickers
There are some companies out there, like footballstickipas and stickerly.eu who is now offering a personalised service which allows fans to create stickers of themselves or sound their own. This will only grow as personalization gets cheaper and easier through technology.
The Art of Football Sticker Trading
Swap is without doubt one of the most fun and necessary aspects to sticker friendly soccer. Peak Trading Tips Here are some tips to help you make the most of your trades:
Build Relationships
Maintaining a relationship with other collectors can help ensure successful trades. You are more likely to receive a fair deal and complete your set with those whom you regularly trade.
Know the Value
Research on how much your stickers would have went for before you trade. If you know how much your stickers are worth, you will be able to score better trade deals.
Be Patient
The latter may take you some time before finding a trade that needs to be made. My number one tip is to avoid getting a bum deal just so you can finish your collection sooner. Patience often pays off.
Use Online Platforms
Various online platforms have been set up specifically for football sticker trading. It allows you to easily find others who collect all over the world, by using these methods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While collecting football stickers can be fun, there are some basic mistakes that many people often make.
Overpaying
The excitement of it all can lead to you overspending on a sticker. Research is important, and you should always shop around for the best deal.
Not Trading
There is no better way to complete your collection than through trading. Dont forget to trade your duplicates
Ignoring Condition
Make sure you receive that condition sticker from a purchase or trade. StickerConditionValueRareba3rdJapaneseGood$70BaHStamp HelpingHand JapanesePoor -$20
Focusing Only on Value
It is nice to create (possiby) valuable stickers, right; but the point ist also enjoying that process. Panini: Football stickers should be about the love, not financial gain
The Joy of Football Stickers
They are not just a hobby, they allow you to relate with the sport of yourself. Football stickers Whether you are enjoying your childhood all over again, getting involved in the current season or collecting rare and valuable items there is a place for everyone in football stickers. With the help of these tips and strategies mentioned in this guide, you can start your collection right away. So take your album, get out there and have some fun!
