Champions League: UEFA introduces a new feature for debutants

This will be a first in the Champions League during the 2026-2027 season.

Starting this 2026-2027 season, there's something new on the Champions League jerseys. As part of an agreement between UEFA and Fanatics, every player making their debut in Europe's most prestigious competition will wear a special "Debut" patch on their sleeve. According to The Athletic, this patch will be integrated into the competition's famous star-spangled logo.

Only players who actually enter the pitch will be affected. A substitute who remains on the bench will have to wait until their first appearance. Once the match is over, the patch will be collected, authenticated, and then sent to Topps, the trading card company owned by Fanatics.

Each patch worn will then be incorporated into a unique card, also signed by the player, before being placed in the packs sold by Topps. It's worth noting that this system has already been used in several sports and tested in football during the 2026 World Cup this summer. It aims to transform these initial appearances into genuine collector's items.

Some cards of this type can fetch considerable sums: the one belonging to baseball player Paul Skenes, for example, sold for $1.1 million in 2025.

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Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.