Ladies and gentlemen, hockey fans of all ages, dust off those vintage jerseys and get ready for a treat. The collector’s darling, SP Game Used Hockey, is blowing out the candles on its 25th birthday cake! Known for marrying the grittiest moments of the rink with the sheen of collectible cards, this series has been the undisputed champion of hockey memorabilia for a quarter-century. And like your favorite veteran who still skates circles around younger players, it’s not slowing down anytime soon.

Upper Deck may have floundered with expanding SP Game Used to other sports like baseball, football, and basketball—those attempts faded faster than a blistering slap shot off target—but hockey is where the magic stuck and thrived. Why? Maybe it’s the unwavering dedication of its fans, maybe it’s destiny. More likely, it’s because nothing feels quite like owning a piece of history, frozen on a card with snippets of game-used gear, something that can be treasured long after the season’s final buzzer has sounded.

This special milestone edition brings fresh treasures to the table, not content with just rehashing glory days. For those looking for new thrills, the chase this year is centered around cards that embrace relics from the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament—hockey giants USA, Canada, Finland, and Sweden duked it out in February 2025 in an epic international showdown. Pulling these cards isn’t just about luck; it’s akin to capturing a piece of impending legendary status.

So what’s in store for the collectors eagerly awaiting this new release? Each hobby box delivers a single, nine-card pack, offering a tantalizing array of 4 hits—whether it’s a revered autograph, memorabilia, or an autographed memorabilia; an array poised to make any cold day on the rink worth it. You’ll also find 3 base cards, Authentic Rookies looking to make their mark, or New Grooves inserts designed to keep collections fresh. Rounding out the package are 2 parallels of base cards, often the hardest to pin down.

And let’s dive into this year’s checklist highlights! With a solid 200-card base set, featuring not just current NHL stars but the legends from yesteryears as well as potential rookie sensations, there’s treasure to be unearthed by anyone. Parallel lovers won’t be left out either—they can pursue an array of options: Red parallels might not be serially numbered, but they’re eye-candy; Gold parallels are set out of 149. On the vivid end, Rainbow parallels are serendipitously tied to player jersey numbers, adding a spicy degree of difficulty. Rarer still, Purple parallels make an entrance, limited to just 5, while the elusive Green parallels, true unicorns of the snowy plains, stand alone at 1/1. Moreover, the series is peppered with autographed and relic parallels capable of testing the strength of collectors’ wallets and resolve.

And what would SP Game Used be without its ice-cold relics? They’re the bread, butter, and mouthwatering jam of this collector sarnie. The diligent folks at Upper Deck have sourced artifacts not just from regular-season NHL games, but marquee events—the Stanley Cup playoffs, the NHL Global, Stadium Series, and the modern classic Winter Classic, all culminating in pieces from the new 4 Nations Face-Off. Relic sets to look out for include the Rookie Sweaters (/299) and Troupe Threads (/199), not to mention the Game Day Gear (/100). But the prize catches are the Rookie Jumbo Patches (/25) and Supreme Materials (/15)—the latter also rocking relics from that illustrious 4 Nations showdown. True to form, oversized patches are the kings here—because in the world of memorabilia, more is, coincidentally, more.

Long-time fans will be elated to see the return of Puck Relics and Net Cord cards, showcasing actual game-used net pieces from notable NHL debuts and games. Draft Day Marks remains a staple, with its manufactured letter patches signed by rookies. Ambitious collectors who can spell out a player’s name using these cards achieve not only a sense of personal accomplishment but an immaculate flex moment on social media—if that’s your thing.

In the dance of rookies stepping onto the ice, Inked Rookie Sweaters (/99) and their Patch parallels (/25) shine center stage, while seasoned veterans have their own tough-pull Inked Sweaters and Patch parallels (/100). The ever-popular Banner cards make a return, slicing banners from significant events like Draft Days and the Stanley Cup Finals, with some “extra fancy” signed versions included.

Finally, for those constantly yearning for the new, the New Grooves inserts return to excite with rookie highlights. These cards bear Red (/499), Gold (/149), Rainbow (/99), Purple (/5), and Green (1/1) parallels. Plus, introducing the NHL Masters (/299) insert sets, offering Jersey and Patch versions and spotlighting both fresh rookies and legendary icons from across hockey’s animated history.

And here’s what scores with every Hobby Box: 4 autographs, memorabilia cards, or Premium Inserts; 2 Parallels; and 3 Base, Authentic Rookies, or New Grooves inserts—making each box a potential treasure chest. With a setup of 1 pack per box and 20 boxes per case, true collectors might just be tempted to go for the case instead of the single box. Come January 2026, with a dash of excitement and a pinch of anticipatory impatience, fans everywhere will find out what gems they’re holding.

2025-26 SP Game Used