World Cup sticker collection tradition lives on, where to find in NJ

[ASFN Admin]

The World Cup is here and with it, a tradition that has been carried out for half a century. Many in New Jersey and across the world participate in collecting stickers of players and teams participating in the FIFA World Cup.

Panini, the Italian trading card company that has branches in the United States, continues to sell FIFA World Cup stickers. Panini has been selling World Cup stickers since 1970 as generations have participated in the collection.

This year’s collection is the largest yet, mirroring the largest World Cup in history as the field has expanded from the usual 32 teams to 48 teams in the 2026 tournament. In order to complete the entire sticker collection, 980 are needed with an additional 12 to fill out the special Coca-Cola book.

As the collections have increased, so have prices. The price for a pack, that contains seven stickers, costs $2 compared to $1 four years ago. The hobby can be costly, with collectors spending hundreds to even over a thousand dollars to complete the challenge of collecting every sticker. Collectors can buy in bulk, with a 50-pack costing $100.

You must be registered for see images attach

The sticker collection is a fun hobby for many but it is also used as a way to bring people together. The Panini subreddit current has over 300,000 members, with many showing off their collection. Others try to organize a meet up so collectors trade stickers, helping each other so they can each have them all.

This year will one of the last for Panini's World Cup stickers. Starting in 2031, Fanatics will enter an agreement with FIFA to be the official sticker producing company for the World Cup.

The future of the sticker company is also murky. Panini is considering selling the company, per reports from multiple news outlets. At the same time, Panini has a lawsuit against Fanatics, requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to “restore competition” through divesting all league licenses from Fanatics, according to a story from the Athletic.

Uncertainty remains, but for now, sticker collecting is in full gear, as is the World Cup.

Where to get Panini World Cup stickers​

Here are locations in New Jersey that sell Panini cards which are certified by Panini’s website.

• Razo’s Edge Cards: 10 Hillside Drive, Fairfield
• R.P. Specialty Sptscards Unlmt: 19 Wall Street, Rockaway
• Wow Sports Cards: 81 NJ-10, Randolph
• The Hobby Hive: 30 Ridgedale Ave, East Hanover
• Bob Beck Sports Collectibles: 48 East Northfield Road, Livingston
• The Baseball Card Store: 45 Prospect St, Midland Park
• East Coast Connection: 304 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst
• CardVault by Tom Brady - American Dream: 1 American Dream Way, Concourse A, East Rutherford
• Bodega Cards: 3563 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City
• Banker Bills collectables: 435 Amwell Rd , Hillsborough
• The Hobby Shop: 077C Highway 34, Suite C, Matawan
• The Backstop: 3400 Route 37E, 3400 Route 37, Toms River
• Monmouth Cards: 310 NJ-36, West Long Branch
• Santiago Sports: 419 Route 34, Matawan
• Bob's Sports Cards & Memorabilia: 4138 Route 9 South, Howell

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Where to find Panini World Cup stickers in North Jersey

Continue reading...