Tiger Woods headlines Upper Deck Golf’s landmark 25th anniversary release

Tiger Woods will once again headline Upper Deck Golf as the iconic trading card brand celebrates its 25th anniversary with a landmark 2026 release that pays tribute to both its origins and the greatest player of his generation.

Upper Deck, the global leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, marked its entry into golf trading cards back in 2001 with a debut set led by Woods and his now-legendary rookie card. A quarter of a century on, that legacy comes full circle. The 2026 Upper Deck Golf release is again spearheaded by golf legend Woods, featuring an exclusive buyback programme designed to honour one of the most significant cards in modern collecting.

At the heart of the anniversary set are 25 original Tiger Woods rookie cards, each signed, individually numbered to 25, and stamped with a special 25th Anniversary seal. 

Upper Deck will also release just 25 complete sets of the ‘Tiger’s Tales’ insert and 25 full 200-card base sets, all similarly numbered and commemoratively stamped, making them some of the most sought-after modern golf collectibles ever produced.

“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, and with our headquarters in the heart of a major golf hub in Carlsbad, California, we remain passionate about pushing innovation and producing truly premium collectibles.”

While 15-time major champion Woods is the clear centrepiece, the 2026 set also showcases a stellar modern and emerging cast. 

The Young Guns rookie checklist is headlined by World No.2 and Olympic gold medallist Nelly Korda, former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, LPGA Hall of Famer Lydia Ko, top-ranked amateur Jackson Koivun, and elite junior prospect Miles Russell. 

Each will feature Young Guns cards, including ultra-rare outburst parallels and gold 1-of-1s.

Upper Deck is also introducing Retrospective Rookies, an insert set celebrating elite players who never previously received a Young Guns card.

Woods features prominently here once again, alongside Collin Morikawa, Jim Furyk, Annika Sörenstam, Michelle Wie West and Lexi Thompson. 

Each card mirrors the Young Guns design from the player’s original debut era, blending nostalgia with modern production.

Collectors will also find familiar and much-loved Upper Deck staples, including Dazzlers and UD Canvas, reinforcing the brand’s flagship feel across the product.

2026 Upper Deck Golf officially releases on 18 February 2026 through Certified Diamond Dealers worldwide and selected mass retailers. The anniversary launch also forms part of a wider golf calendar for the year, with several notable releases still to come, including:

• 2026 Allure Golf – Upper Deck’s first chromium golf product
• 2026 Fleer Ultra Golf – Featuring full-bleed photography and distinctive insert designs
• 2026 Artifacts Golf – A premium, memorabilia-driven release showcasing event-worn and tournament-used relics, including autograph memorabilia cards

For more details and release updates, visit UpperDeck.com.