Dust off those jerseys, lace up the skates, and enter the ice-cold world of hockey card collecting because the 2025-26 edition of SP Game Used Hockey is about to hit the shelves. Celebrating its 25th year as the undisputed MVP of memorabilia-centric hockey cards, this landmark edition promises to thrill collectors with its abundance of new additions, sensational relics, and legendary inserts.
Hockey die-hards have long cherished SP Game Used for its authenticity and commitment to the sport. While Upper Deck’s forays into baseball, football, and basketball with the SP Game Used brand didn’t quite find their footing, the hockey iteration has skated circles around competitors, remaining a fan favorite for a quarter-century. Perhaps it’s the icy allure of NHL relics or the thrill of the chase for the most coveted cards. Whatever it is, this brand’s resilience on the rink is nothing short of spectacular.
This milestone anniversary isn’t merely a victory lap draped in past glories. The spotlight this year is on a fresh set of cards featuring relics from the nail-biting 4 Nations Face-Off (USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden), which debuted in February 2025. These cards capture the fervor of international ice hockey rivalries, making them irresistible to collectors everywhere who revel in the idea of locking horns—card sleeves, of course—with their international comrades.
Speaking of irresistible, each hobby box this time is brimming with treasures that promise to add heft to any collection. The format remains consistent from last year, with every box containing a single nine-card pack loaded with potential: four hits in the form of autographs, memorabilia, autographed memorabilia, or premium inserts. Add to that a tantalizing mix of three base cards, Authentic Rookies, or New Grooves inserts, and two parallels of base cards, and you’ve got a box that feels like Christmas morning for any hockey card enthusiast.
The foundational base set is a robust ensemble of 200 cards, a who’s who of NHL current stars, retired icons of the ice, and a fresh crop of Authentic Rookies poised to capture the spotlight (and possibly your savings). For the connoisseur of parallel hunting, this edition offers no shortage of shiny distractions, with options ranging from the unnumbered Red cards to the exclusive Green 1/1s—cards so elusive they might as well be the Yeti of hockey memorabilia.
Yet, the real stars here are the relics that make SP Game Used a perennial powerhouse. Upper Deck has thrown caution—and budget—to the wind to source these icy treasures from an array of illustrious events. Think regular NHL games, the adrenaline-charged Stanley Cup playoffs, the glitz of the NHL Global Series, the open-air magic of Stadium Series and Winter Classic games, and now, the thrilling 4 Nations Face-Off. Each piece of gear reused as a relic carries with it a fragment of hockey history.
Collectors will aim to nab relic sets like the Rookie Sweaters (/299) and Troupe Threads (/199), with others like Game Day Gear (/100) and Rookie Jumbo Patches (/25) layering on the exclusivity that collectors crave. Not to forget the Supreme Materials (/15) and the eyecatching Supreme Patches (/15), which for the first time this year, will feature relics from the 4 Nations for that extra dash—or splash—of international flair.
Classic favorites like Puck Relics and Net Cord cards make a triumphant return, offering tangible pieces of games gone by. And for those who like a challenge, Draft Day Marks are back, with rookies autographing manufactured letter patches, spurring collectors on a quest to spell out names for ultimate bragging rights.
The set innovation doesn’t stop there. Popular rookies have put pen to patch on the Inked Rookie Sweaters (/99), while seasoned veterans lend their autographs to Inked Sweaters—a challenging find at 1:100 packs—and their own Patch parallels (/25). Banner cards, with slices of cloth taken from major events, entice collectors to aim for autographed versions for that extra touch of prestige.
Rounding out this extravaganza of memorabilia are the vibrant New Grooves inserts and the debut of the NHL Masters (/299), featuring Jersey and Patch versions spotlighting a lineup of rookies, contemporary stars, and all-time hockey greats.
This year’s SP Game Used line is crafted with care for the collector in mind, promising an experience that’s as exhilarating as it is rewarding. Each box, a nine-card testament to the art of card collecting (and perhaps a small dent in the wallet), offers a slice of hockey history, waiting to be revealed. The 25th anniversary of SP Game Used Hockey is more than just a nostalgic nod to two and a half decades—it’s a celebration of the past, an appreciation of the present, and an exciting glimpse into the future of hockey memorabilia collecting. Prepare your wallets, as this edition promises to be an icy rollercoaster that you won’t want to miss.
