Posts Tagged ‘Upper’

UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH THE GRATEFUL DEAD, FIRST TRADING CARD SET

Carlsbad, CA (Feb. 26, 2026) — Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, today announced a collaboration with one of the most popular bands in music history – the Grateful Dead. A legendary group that has spanned generations, the Grateful Dead has inspired some of the most passionate fans of all time. Now, Dead Heads and music fans around the world can interact with the band through collectibles from Upper Deck, highlighted initially by a newly released trading card set that celebrates the band’s 60th Anniversary. 

“We’re incredibly excited to collaborate with one of the most celebrated bands to ever take the stage, and give music fans another way to connect with the Grateful Dead,” said Travis Rhea, Director of Entertainment Brands at Upper Deck. “In addition to amazing, iconic music, the Grateful Dead are known for vibrant colors and incredible visuals, perfect for music trading cards. They also have one of the most dedicated fanbases the industry has ever seen, so we can’t wait for Dead Heads to get their hands on our Grateful Dead collectibles.” 

‘The Grateful Dead – 60 Years So Far… A Visual Trip’ trading card set spans the band’s rich 60-year history. Each box includes a full 50-card base set collection of Grateful Dead iconography, classic characters, and show posters, with an additional five cards that could be serial-numbered hits, themed inserts, or an autograph card. Fans can look forward to familiar Grateful Dead symbols, including the famous Dancing Bears and Uncle Sam. Visuals featured on 1-of-1 High Potency Purple variants and Dancing Parallels will be recognizable to long-time Dead Heads. And for band historians, ‘Transmissions from Dave’s Desk’ illustrates the work of official archivist, producer, and legacy manager David Lemieux. It features artwork, set lists, and show-facts from the first 50 ‘Dave’s Picks’ albums. Collectors also have the chance to pull parallel cards autographed by Lemieux himself – each numbered to five. 

“I’ve dedicated much of my life to showcasing the joy that the Grateful Dead spread through their music, so working with Upper Deck to translate that journey into trading cards has been really special,” said Lemieux. “From characters that have become synonymous with the band to tour posters that are a trip through time, there is so much for Dead Heads to enjoy in this set.” 

The Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary trading card set is available now – and this is just the beginning of the collaboration between Upper Deck and the Grateful Dead. Fans can look forward to many ways to collect the Grateful Dead – including future trading card sets with different card technologies and original art, as well as gallery prints, and more. For more information, visit www.UpperDeck.com. 

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About the Grateful Dead 

The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of popular culture but because it is a true counterculture that exists to this very day-one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs. By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concertgoers in the history of the music business, and today remains one of the all-time leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music with their final tally being 2,318 total concerts. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and received a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, commemorated in the 47th class of the Kennedy Center Honorees, as well as the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year honored at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards. The Grateful Dead celebrated their 66th Top 40 album on the Billboard chart —a feat no other artist has achieved —claiming the Guinness World Records title for the most Top 40 albums charted on the US Billboard 200. 

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, UpperDeckEnt), and X (@UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids). 

Media Contact: 
Nicole Brief-Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com

The post UPPER DECK ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION WITH THE GRATEFUL DEAD, FIRST TRADING CARD SET appeared first on Upper Deck.

TOP-RANKED GOLFER NELLY KORDA SIGNS AS UPPER DECK EXCLUSIVE ATHLETE

Carlsbad, CA (Feb. 17, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is expanding its commitment to golf by announcing that top talent Nelly Korda has joined the Upper Deck roster as an exclusive athlete. She joins an already impressive roster led by Tiger Woods, and including Collin Morikawa, Rose Zhang, and Lydia Ko. As the company celebrates 25 years of producing high-quality and innovative golf collectibles, collectors will have a chance to chase Korda’s coveted Young Guns trading card and other unique inserts as part of 2026 Upper Deck Golf. Additionally, an all-new, thoughtfully curated Upper Deck Authenticated (UDA) memorabilia collection highlights her successful and groundbreaking career. 

“Upper Deck has a long history of working with world-class athletes like Nelly who transcend their sport and become cultural icons,” said Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “She can bring new collectors to the hobby, and in turn we’ll deliver the Upper Deck standard: premium trading cards and memorabilia that reflect Nelly as a one-of-a-kind athlete.” 

Since she turned pro at the age of 17 and won her first professional event that same year, Korda has perennially ranked near the top of the Women’s World Golf Rankings, where she has collectively spent more than 100 weeks as number one. Among her 21 professional titles, she won two major championships in 2021 and 2024, along with a gold medal representing the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Korda’s 2024 season was historic, as she won seven times on the LPGA Tour, including five tournaments in a row culminating in a major title at the 2024 Chevron Championship. It’s moments like these that will be captured in Upper Deck products, including Upper Deck Golf and Goodwin Champions trading cards, as well as UDA signed memorabilia. Korda’s first collection is available now, offering fans and collectors a curated selection of items to commemorate her achievements. The release features signed polos and visors, as well as original designed prints celebrating her career, with select pieces highlighting her standout 2024 season. 

“I’ve seen firsthand the passion and joy that collecting brings to so many people, and the way that Upper Deck honors that passion and creates memorable experiences for collectors and fans. I’m excited to collaborate with Upper Deck and engage with the community,” said Korda. “It isn’t just about creating collectibles; it’s about working with a company that knows how to best represent your brand and help connect with fans all over the world – which Upper Deck has done for years with the most notable athletes of all time.” 

Alongside Korda’s UDA collection, 2026 Upper Deck Golf will be available at Certified Diamond Dealers worldwide, mass retailers, as well as Upper Deck’s e-Pack platform. Fans can stay up to date on future trading card sets and memorabilia featuring Korda at UpperDeck.com. 

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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).  

Media Contact: 

Matt Burkey, matt@carvecomms.com 

The post TOP-RANKED GOLFER NELLY KORDA SIGNS AS UPPER DECK EXCLUSIVE ATHLETE appeared first on Upper Deck.

UPPER DECK HIGHLIGHTS GOLF TRADING CARDS AND CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HISTORY

Carlsbad, CA (Feb. 5, 2026) – Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, is continuing a 25-year tradition of setting the standard with industry-leading golf collectibles with a 2026 lineup that highlights a diverse style of trading cards, applying a variety of their historic brands and featuring leaders in the sport of golf. 

To mark the 25th Anniversary of Upper Deck Golf, this year’s set pays homage to its very first release in 2001, which featured a star-studded checklist headlined by Upper Deck Exclusive Spokesperson Tiger Woods and his rookie card. 2026 Upper Deck Golf will again be headlined by Spokesperson Tiger Woods, with a unique buyback program. There will be 25 Tiger Woods rookie cards that are signed, numbered, and stamped with a commemorative 25th Anniversary stamp. There will also be 25 sets each of the ‘Tiger’s Tales’ insert and the entire 200-card base set that are numbered to 25 and stamped with the 25th Anniversary stamp. 

“This year’s Upper Deck Golf is a celebration of 25 years of premium golf products and our long-standing relationship with one of the greatest players to ever pick up a golf club,” said Paul Zickler, Upper Deck Director of Sports Brands. “Golf is hugely important to us at Upper Deck. With our headquarters in the middle of a major golf hub in Carlsbad, California, we’re inspired and passionate about continuing to innovate and produce premium golf collectibles.” 

Upper Deck Golf will feature flagship and fan-favorite inserts and players. Headlining this year’s featured rookie class are world number two, two-time major champion, and Olympic gold medalist Nelly Korda, Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama, LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, top ranked amateur Jackson Koivun and top ranked junior Miles Russell. They will all have Young Guns cards, including outburst parallels with gold 1-of-1’s. Another insert, Retrospective Rookies, features top golfers who haven’t had a Young Guns card in the past, including Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Jim Furyk, Annika Sorenstam, Michelle Wie West, and Lexi Thompson. Each player’s card design reflects the Young Guns design from their debut year. Collectors will also recognize familiar Upper Deck inserts including Dazzlers and UD Canvas. 

2026 Upper Deck Golf releases on February 18, 2026, at Certified Diamond dealers worldwide as well as mass retailers. Upper Deck will continue a consistent calendar of golf trading card sets throughout the year. Here’s a sneak peak of what collectors can expect to see through the end of 2026:  

• 2026 Allure Golf: The company‘s first chromium golf product 

• 2026 Fleer Ultra Golf: Featuring unique insert cards and full-bleed images  

• 2026 Artifacts Golf: A memorabilia and relic-focused set highlighted by event and tournament worn memorabilia, and autograph memorabilia cards  

For more information on all these products and to stay up to date on release timing, please visit UpperDeck.com. 

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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).    

Media Contact: 

Nicole Curro, nicole@carvecomms.com 

The post UPPER DECK HIGHLIGHTS GOLF TRADING CARDS AND CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF HISTORY appeared first on Upper Deck.