UEFA will introduce “Debut patches” to the men’s Champions League for the first time in the 2026-27 season as part of its partnership with Fanatics, as reported by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Fanatics has already used the concept across several sports. Originating in Major League Baseball, the program has expanded to the NFL, NBA, Bundesliga, Formula 1, MLS, UFC and WWE, and was also used at this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Champions League, UEFA’s premier club
competition, features 36 teams and begins this season on September 8. The Debut patch initiative is also expected to be introduced in the Women’s Champions League from the 2027-28 season.
Ornstein’s report specified that players making their first appearance in the competition will wear a small sleeve patch featuring the word “debut” incorporated into the Champions League’s starball logo. The initiative applies only when a player enters the pitch, meaning substitutes making their Champions League debut will receive the patch, while unused substitutes will have to wait until their first appearance.
After the match, each patch will be removed, authenticated and transferred to Topps, the Fanatics-owned trading card company. It will then be incorporated into a unique trading card signed by the player before being placed into packs.
UEFA and Fanatics are also expected to announce a six-year extension of their existing partnership through 2033, facilitated by Relevent Football Partners.
