UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ICONIC JIM HENSON COMPANY, UNVEILS DEBUT TRADING CARD PRODUCT
Carlsbad, CA (September 17, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in entertainment and sports collectibles, is expanding its premium licensed entertainment portfolio with the addition of the storied and trailblazing Jim Henson Company. Honoring Henson’s legendary and innovative career as a beloved puppeteer, filmmaker, and television pioneer, Upper Deck will create new avenues for fans to connect with classic characters and films, including Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Farscape, and Fraggle Rock through premium trading cards and tabletop games. Upper Deck’s debut trading card product in its Jim Henson Company collection will be under its iconic Skybox brand, commemorating the whimsical creatures and characters of Labyrinth in honor of the film’s 40th anniversary.
“Jim Henson’s work represents the gold standard of imaginative storytelling and fantasy worlds that have inspired generations,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “The opportunity to bring these classic characters into our collectibles portfolio allows us to celebrate them in a tangible way. We look forward to honoring Jim Henson’s legacy, while also inviting fans and collectors to experience these worlds in an entirely new format.”
“With the massive comeback of nostalgia-based trading cards recently, the timing is perfect to partner with renowned market leader Upper Deck to bring to market several of our favorite legacy Jim Henson properties. The first drop featuring Labyrinth is the first time ever that trading cards based on this beloved 80’s film featuring David Bowie will be released and it’s a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this fantasy classic,” states Melissa Segal, head of Global Consumer Products at The Jim Henson Company.
Celebrating the film’s 40th anniversary, the Skybox release of Labyrinth utilizes the brand’s signature aesthetic to help capture the detail and personality of the movie’s beloved characters. Fans can expect themed inserts, serial numbered cards (numbered to 1986), 1-of-1 diamond parallels, and 1-of-1 canvas art gold parallels centered around the journey of Sarah and the Goblin King. Key inserts will explore behind-the-scenes from the film, including “Journey of the Labyrinth” and the duality-driven “Not What It Seems” lenticular cards. Rare chase inserts titled “I Move the Stars for No One,” “This is a Gift,” and “It’s Only Forever” will be up for collecting, along with sketch cards and autographs from comic book artists, puppeteers, voice actors, and cast members including Jennifer Connelly, with dual, triple, and quad-autograph variants also available.
Following the Skybox Labyrinth release in early 2027, fans can look forward to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance trading card set later in the year, featuring exclusive autographs from fan-favorite cast members in the series. Additional trading card releases inspired by The Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, and Farscape are on the horizon, alongside tabletop games based on select films, including Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.
For the latest information and to stay up to date about future Upper Deck collectibles with The Jim Henson Company, visit UpperDeck.com.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com
About Upper Deck:
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck,/UpperDeckEnt), Instagram (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), and YouTube (UDvids).
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 70 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company’s most recent credits include the Amazon Kids+ series Jim Henson’s Monster Dance, the PBS KIDS special Wowsabout, the hit holiday special for Apple TV The First Snow of Fraggle Rock, and the Emmy-nominated Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip for Disney+, as well as the Oscar®-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix, and the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV. Other television credits include Slumberkins and Harriet the Spy for Apple TV; Dinosaur Train, Splash and Bubbles, and Sid the Science Kid all for PBS; Earth to Ned for Disney+; and the Netflix series Word Party and the Emmy-winning The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Iconic catalogue titles include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, Farscape, and the ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Headquartered in Los Angeles with additional locations in New York and London, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop
, a pre-eminent puppet and creature-building group and industry leader in puppeteered digital animation, with international film, television, theme park, and advertising clients.
The post UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ICONIC JIM HENSON COMPANY, UNVEILS DEBUT TRADING CARD PRODUCT appeared first on Upper Deck.
Categories: Upperdeck Tags: AGREEMENT, announces, Card, Company, Debut, Deck, HENSON, Iconic, Licensing, Product, Trading, Unveils, Upper
UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ICONIC JIM HENSON COMPANY, UNVEILS DEBUT TRADING CARD PRODUCT
Carlsbad, CA (September 17, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in entertainment and sports collectibles, is expanding its premium licensed entertainment portfolio with the addition of the storied and trailblazing Jim Henson Company. Honoring Henson’s legendary and innovative career as a beloved puppeteer, filmmaker, and television pioneer, Upper Deck will create new avenues for fans to connect with classic characters and films, including Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Farscape, and Fraggle Rock through premium trading cards and tabletop games. Upper Deck’s debut trading card product in its Jim Henson Company collection will be under its iconic Skybox brand, commemorating the whimsical creatures and characters of Labyrinth in honor of the film’s 40th anniversary.
“Jim Henson’s work represents the gold standard of imaginative storytelling and fantasy worlds that have inspired generations,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “The opportunity to bring these classic characters into our collectibles portfolio allows us to celebrate them in a tangible way. We look forward to honoring Jim Henson’s legacy, while also inviting fans and collectors to experience these worlds in an entirely new format.”
“With the massive comeback of nostalgia-based trading cards recently, the timing is perfect to partner with renowned market leader Upper Deck to bring to market several of our favorite legacy Jim Henson properties. The first drop featuring Labyrinth is the first time ever that trading cards based on this beloved 80’s film featuring David Bowie will be released and it’s a great way to celebrate the 40th anniversary of this fantasy classic,” states Melissa Segal, head of Global Consumer Products at The Jim Henson Company.
Celebrating the film’s 40th anniversary, the Skybox release of Labyrinth utilizes the brand’s signature aesthetic to help capture the detail and personality of the movie’s beloved characters. Fans can expect themed inserts, serial numbered cards (numbered to 1986), 1-of-1 diamond parallels, and 1-of-1 canvas art gold parallels centered around the journey of Sarah and the Goblin King. Key inserts will explore behind-the-scenes from the film, including “Journey of the Labyrinth” and the duality-driven “Not What It Seems” lenticular cards. Rare chase inserts titled “I Move the Stars for No One,” “This is a Gift,” and “It’s Only Forever” will be up for collecting, along with sketch cards and autographs from comic book artists, puppeteers, voice actors, and cast members including Jennifer Connelly, with dual, triple, and quad-autograph variants also available.
Following the Skybox Labyrinth release in early 2027, fans can look forward to The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance trading card set later in the year, featuring exclusive autographs from fan-favorite cast members in the series. Additional trading card releases inspired by The Dark Crystal, Fraggle Rock, and Farscape are on the horizon, alongside tabletop games based on select films, including Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal.
For the latest information and to stay up to date about future Upper Deck collectibles with The Jim Henson Company, visit UpperDeck.com.
###
Media Contact:
Nicole Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com
About Upper Deck:
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck,/UpperDeckEnt), Instagram (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports,UpperDeckEnt), and YouTube (UDvids).
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 70 years and is recognized as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics, and digital animation. The Company’s most recent credits include the Amazon Kids+ series Jim Henson’s Monster Dance, the PBS KIDS special Wowsabout, the hit holiday special for Apple TV The First Snow of Fraggle Rock, and the Emmy-nominated Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip for Disney+, as well as the Oscar®-winning Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio for Netflix, and the Emmy®-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock for Apple TV. Other television credits include Slumberkins and Harriet the Spy for Apple TV; Dinosaur Train, Splash and Bubbles, and Sid the Science Kid all for PBS; Earth to Ned for Disney+; and the Netflix series Word Party and the Emmy-winning The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Iconic catalogue titles include Fraggle Rock, The Storyteller, Farscape, and the ground-breaking fantasy classics The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.
Headquartered in Los Angeles with additional locations in New York and London, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, a pre-eminent puppet and creature-building group and industry leader in puppeteered digital animation, with international film, television, theme park, and advertising clients.
The post UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH ICONIC JIM HENSON COMPANY, UNVEILS DEBUT TRADING CARD PRODUCT appeared first on Upper Deck.
Categories: Upperdeck Tags: AGREEMENT, announces, Card, Company, Debut, Deck, HENSON, Iconic, Licensing, Product, Trading, Unveils, Upper
UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES COVETED HARRY POTTER LICENSE, UPCOMING PRODUCT COLLECTION
Carlsbad, CA (Jan. 7, 2026) – Upper Deck, the global leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is adding another iconic license to its extensive portfolio – announcing a deal to create collectibles surrounding the beloved Harry Potter franchise. News of the collaboration between Upper Deck and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products was delivered to media and prospective retailers in a unique way inspired by the world of Harry Potter. The agreement will enable Upper Deck to provide fans with even more ways to connect with the acclaimed franchise, as the collectibles leader lends its expertise to create unique and premium products for Harry Potter fans around the world to enjoy.
“Harry Potter is easily one of the most sought-after licenses in today’s entertainment landscape. The combination of nostalgia, iconic characters and rich storytelling has sustained its cultural relevance for decades. Adding the Harry Potter franchise to our portfolio is a true testament to the quality and innovation that Upper Deck delivers to its licensors and collectors,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “The fandom for the world of Harry Potter is overwhelming, and we’re excited to give this community new ways to enjoy the wizarding world through beautifully crafted collectibles.”
For more than 25 years, the Harry Potter franchise has remained one of the most influential and beloved storytelling universes in the world. A best-selling fantasy novel series that spawned one of the most successful film franchises of all time, Harry Potter has transcended into a cultural touchstone spanning generations, supported by a deeply engaged global fan community. Enduring its pop culture relevance while continuing to evolve through new mediums, the Harry Potter license channels timeless themes of friendship, courage, identity, and belonging for both fans who grew up with the world of Harry Potter and new generations discovering it for the first time.
Upper Deck is excited to bring its iconic brands and flagship products to the world of Harry Potter. Initial releases will include Upper Deck Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 25th Anniversary Trading Cards, a cinematic journey celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Sorcerer’s Stone. The set will include iconic Upper Deck flagship inserts, including UD Debuts featuring UD exclusives, high gloss, and Outburst parallels including a gold 1/1. To follow that, fans can also look forward to Fleer Ultra Harry Potter, which will showcase iconic Fleer Ultra inserts and original art trading cards. Key characters from the Harry Potter franchise will make their Upper Deck debuts, including Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Snape. Both trading card sets will be available at Certified Diamond Dealers, mass retailers, as well as Upper Deck’s e-Pack
platform.
“Entertainment-based trading cards have always been a priority for Upper Deck, and Harry Potter has been on the radar for a long time,” said Travis Rhea, Director of Entertainment Brands at Upper Deck. “We are excited to bring the license to the trading card and collectibles category. The timing of the upcoming 25th Anniversary of the first movie, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, is perfect to apply the best-in-class Upper Deck brands to the Harry Potter licensed product portfolio.”
For the latest information and to stay up to date about future Upper Deck Harry Potter collectibles, visit www.UpperDeck.com.
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Media Contact:
Upper Deck – Nicole Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products – Lindsay.Kiesel@WBD.com
About Upper Deck:
Upper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation, and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment’s most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds.
Find more information at www.upperdeck.com or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), X (formerly known as Twitter) (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids).
About Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products:
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP), part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Revenue and Strategy division, extends the company’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world. WBDGCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on award-winning toy, fashion, home décor, and publishing programs inspired by the biggest franchises from Warner Bros. Film, television, animation, and games studios, HBO, Discovery, DC< Cartoon Network, HGTVH, Eurosport, Adult Swim, and more. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, and promotional partnerships, WBDGCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About The Harry Potter Franchise:
From the moment eleven-year-old Harry Potter met Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his adventures have left an indelible mark on popular culture. Today, over 25 years later, the Harry Potter phenomenon thrives as one of the most successful and best-loved entertainment properties in history.
J.K. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter novels have been brought to life in an ever-evolving interconnected universe which is loved by millions of fans worldwide. Eight blockbuster Harry Potter films and three epic Fantastic Beasts films bring the spellbinding action to life on screen, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child mesmerizes on stage, and state-of-the-art video and mobile games from Portkey Games allow players to experience the wizarding world like never before. Fans can proudly showcase their passion through innovative consumer products, and thrill at spectacular location-based experiences – including themed lands at six Universal Destinations and Experiences theme parks around the world.
This expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. Discovery-owned Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts offerings includes ground-breaking touring experiences and events, each developed to celebrate special moments and locations that fans cherish, as well as Harry Potter Shops in King’s Cross, New York, Chicago, Akasaka, and Harajuku. Wizards, Witches, and Muggles alike can also discover something new as they explore behind-the-scenes secrets at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter.
With a new HBO Original TV series based on the books on the way, this extended world continues to provide the community with fresh and exciting ways to interact. For its global fans, and for generations to come, it invites everyone in to find the magic for themselves.
For the latest Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts news and features, visit www.harrypotter.com.
All characters and elements © & Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © JKR. (s26)
The post UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES COVETED HARRY POTTER LICENSE, UPCOMING PRODUCT COLLECTION appeared first on Upper Deck.