A new Champions League Debut Patch has been launched by UEFA for the debutants of the top European club competition from the 2026/27 season. The project, created by UEFA and UC3 with the contribution of Topps, aims to represent a major step forward in the players’ professional lives, but also to leave an indelible mark in the players’ and supporters’ memories.
The patch will be worn only at a player’s Champions League debut such as when playing as a substitute. It will be incorporated into the Starball badge that will be worn at the sleeve of Champions League match jerseys and will be available from Matchday 1. The unique blue piece of the patch will be taken out from the player’s match-worn shirt after his first game. It will then be authenticated and securely packaged with a Certificate of Authenticity and be sent to Topps.
The authenticated patch will be used in a one-of-one UEFA Champions League trading card signed by the player and be offered by the memorabilia company. This process should maintain the continuity of the item’s origin since it’s removed from the player’s jersey until it goes to the final collectible.
The player’s first Champions League shirt will also have a visual reminder of the first time the player played in the tournament, after the blue debut element of the shirt has been removed, making it a unique memento.
The patch has been developed with Topps and official patch supplier ID Unlimited. A player who makes his Champions League debut will not wear his debut patch again, even if he subsequently moves to another club taking part in UEFA competitions.
The initiative will give clubs, broadcasting partners and others a tangible means of marking Champions League first-time appearances on the fly, UEFA said. The new feature brings another dimension to the matchday experience at the competition and ties in with the increasing world of football collectibles.
