The demand for collectibles featuring the best athletes in women’s sports has experienced incredible growth in recent years. With International Women’s Day coming up on March 8, Upper Deck reflects on the accomplishments of several top stars that have made an impact on their respective fields with a free exclusive digital trading card set.
Upper Deck has long been at the forefront of featuring top women athletes thanks to its critically-acclaimed Goodwin Champions brand – but as the influence of these talented individuals grows, the demand for them at local card stores along with other physical and online retailers has started to reach a fevered pitch.
Volleyball Legends Shine
In July, 2024, Upper Deck added “Six Feet of Sunshine” to its already-impressive lineup of spokespersons by inking an exclusive trading card deal with volleyball legend Kerri Walsh Jennings. A decorated icon with a bevy of international championships and Summer Games medals to her credit, this International Volleyball Hall of Fame member dominated her field by racking up over 100 tournament victories.
The action from the volleyball court continues in this set with an appearance by Misty May-Treanor, a longtime partner of Walsh Jennings and fellow Hall of Fame that shared many triumphs on the court together. This duo had an incredible streak of winning 112 straight matches and served as true ambassadors for the game. A second-generation athlete, May-Treanor now focuses on training a new generation of volleyball players in addition to extensive philanthropic work.
Hockey’s Top Young Stars
The recent release of Upper Deck’s trading cards featuring the best talent from the Professional Women’s Hockey League have been a smash hit as the league experiences tremendous growth during its second campaign. The best players in the world have hit the ice with member clubs, but there is also tremendous buzz among hobbyists and fans over two of the brightest young stars in the game.
Taylor Heise, the first overall selection in the 2023 PWHL Draft, enjoyed fine rookie season last year as she helped take Minnesota to a Walter Cup championship. During the playoffs, the former collegiate standout took her game to new levels and skated away with MVP honors. Once it was revealed that she was to have a Young Guns card in 2024-25 Upper Deck PWHL, the hobby took notice – and so did the league’s rabid fan base. Her debut cardboard is in high demand as she disproves any notion of a sophomore jinx.
Another PWHL star in the making is New York Sirens rookie Sarah Fillier. The top pick in the most recent draft, she has exploded out the gate and has consistently ranked among the top offensive producers in the league. Fillier has been turning heads with her tremendous speed and playmaking skills and will be a leading contender for top rookie honors. In her first 20 professional games, she ranked second among all scorers with 21 points – including a league-leading 14 assists.
Both Heise and Fillier are expected to be a big part of the game’s future – and to help foster the league’s rapid growth.
A Golfer on the Rise
One of the hottest stars on the rise in the golf world, Rose Zhang made an immediate impact with fans after winning her first LPGA tournament at the age of 20 in 2023. Prior to that remarkable accomplishment, she was a two-time individual collegiate champion – something no other woman had achieved before. As her career progresses, her trading cards will experience popular demand from a growing fan base.
The Champs are Here
In the world of professional wrestling, the popularity of the women stepping into the ring continues to gain momentum with each passing episode or pay-per-view extravaganza. Those with the right mix of athleticism, skill, and charisma head to the top of the heap – and All Elite Wrestling boasts some of the top talents in the world today. Upper Deck’s AEW releases have been a hit with collectors – and the demand for cards of its top female performers is high – especially for the likes of Mercedes Moné and Mariah May.
Moné, the current holder of AEW TBS Championship, is one of the most respected and accomplished wrestlers that has risen to prominence over the past decade with a bevy of title belts and defeated opponents in her wake. Her crossover appeal has extended to the world of entertainment as well thanks to film and television appearances.
In her short career inside the squared circle, May has already proven to be one of wrestling’s rising stars. Hailing from the United Kingdom, she became the AEW Women’s World Champion on August 25, 2024, and held onto the title with an iron grip before dropping it earlier this month. Undaunted by the defeat, she will certainly make every effort to recapture the crown.
Get Your Free Set
On International Women’s Day, be sure to visit Upper Deck e-Pack and download your free digital trading card set. This seven-card checklist is loaded with big names from a wide array of sports and will only be available for a limited time! and this is the perfect way to celebrate these incredible athletes!
Written By Stephen Laroche
