News
SURF’S UP: Upper Deck adds World Surf League cards to its growing portfolio
Upper Deck has been expanding its sports collectibles portfolio to include a wide variety of sports, from golf and tennis to professional wrestling and volleyball.
Now it is casting its net even wider with a multi-year licensing agreement with the World Surf League (WSL).
You Might Also Like:
The trading card deal will allow surf fans to collect their favorite male and female athletes across a growing global sport.
The new deal kicks off with trading cards of iconic moments from the 2025 World Surf League season. The All-Sport Game Dated Moments (GDM) set available on Upper Deck e-Pack features cards highlighting the Championship Tour events running from January through September.
“Collectibles serve such an important role in sports, from allowing kids to collect their favorite heroes to providing these deserving athletes a memento that captures the iconic moments that have cemented them in the history books,” said Paul Zickler, director of sports brands at Upper Deck. “We're creating new opportunities for fans of all sports to experience the excitement of the hobby, so World Surf League fans can now enjoy the thrill of chasing their favorite athletes' cards for years to come.”
The Game Dated Moments cards highlight key moments from the Lexus Pipe Pro and Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, including moments from defending world champion Caitlin Simmers, two-time world champion Tyler Wright, 2019 world champion Italo Ferreira, as well as 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro winners Barron Mamiya and Alan Cleland.
Upper Deck followed up the inaugural release with GDM cards highlighting winners of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal—Yago Dora and 2023 world champion Caroline Marks. It will continue to release additional GDM cards after each of the remaining nine events on the WSL schedule.
WSL athletes will also be featured in future Upper Deck products, including Goodwin Champions, Skybox Metal Universe, and Allure SE, which will be sold at hobby shops and retailers in 2026 and beyond.
“These athletes have worked their entire lives to compete at the highest level in the world, so it’s no question they deserve to be collected and traded just like any major sports league,” said Stefani Chinn, WSL SVP of marketing and talent. “Trading cards are such a unique way for collectors to follow the surfers as each competition happens. The memorable moments are captured in the imagery, and we can’t wait to continue to grow the sport through the collaboration with Upper Deck and their expertise in collectibles.”
