Tis the season when collecting takes on a holiday hue, and Panini is rolling out the red and green carpet with its 2025 Absolute Football Countdown Calendar. Infusing the festive spirit into the hobby, this nifty advent-style box transforms each December day into a football-themed mini-party. With a design echoing the familiar Absolute style but dressed in a delightfully cozy holiday plaid, it gives card fans the excuse they need to deck their halls with packs, parallels, and plenty of anticipation.
This whimsical concept is nothing short of ingenious—a once-a-day surprise that keeps collectors in the holiday spirit whether they’re celebrating Christmas or simply counting down to their version of a festive finale. The magic unfolds as each advent-like door opens to reveal a delightful, three-card pack. These aren’t just random stacks of cards; each pack includes one base card, one rookie, and one heart-stopping insert, ensuring just the right daily dose of collectible cheer.
And, in true festive spirit, each Calendar harbors a hidden gem: the much-sought-after Holiday Suit memorabilia card. This intriguing item boasts authentic fabric from a player’s merry-themed uniform, blending festive charm with hobby excitement. Officially slated for release on November 12, 2025, this calendar is already showing signs of being the season’s must-have item, popping up early in some stores and heralding the merry onset of the hobby’s holiday proceedings.
While keeping to the Absolute series’ signature allure, this edition adds a seasonal spin that’s bound to light up any collector’s eyes. The checklist packs a substantial punch with 200 cards to chase—an eclectic mix of veterans and rookies, each adorned in a red-and-green plaid that could easily double as winter wear. The inserts are nothing short of collectibles gold, featuring Absolute’s heavyweight names such as By Storm, Draft Diamonds, Hog Heaven, and both Introduction sets. It’s a series of tantalizing choices that ensure every pack is as unpredictable as it is enjoyable.
The star attraction of this christmassy collectible contraption is the Rookie Holiday Suit memorabilia. Appearing once per calendar, this series adds a splash of whimsy and a heaping of collectability. Hardcore collectors will also be on the lookout for those elusive Kaboom inserts and the sought-after Red Square Rookie Signatures, each numbered to 150—a chase that, though challenging, promises a real card-cracked thrill.
Perusing the player list is like attending a roll call of football’s current elite. There’s no shortage of big names with veterans the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, and Josh Allen gracing the card fronts, while rookies such as Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Bo Nix add a fresh-faced allure that entices collectors from every team’s fanbase. Moreover, the addition of holiday-themed parallels means collectors have even more reasons to covet multiples of their favorite stars.
What sets this release apart is its unique approach. Sprinkling the joy across 24 suspenseful days rather than condensing it into one quick break serves to heighten the anticipation. It makes card opening a thoughtful process, savoring each moment in an era where instant gratification has become the norm. Here, it’s less about the hunt for case hits or ultra-limited parallels; it’s about savoring the fun, the ambiance, and the essential spirit of collecting.
While the calendar promises the excitement of one Holiday Suit memorabilia card and a plentiful 24 inserts, the possibility of scoring rare hits in an eight-box case adds an edge of thrill to the proceedings. Panini has crafted more than a novel item with this release; they’ve elegantly blended nostalgia with innovative packaging to craft a December tradition that makes collecting both a family affair and a spirited activity.
Set to hit both online and retail shelves on November 12, 2025, the Absolute Football Countdown Calendar is a delicious concoction of holiday thematics, robust rookie offerings, and built-in excitement that spans the holiday countdown. Whether you gingerly open a pack a day or barrel through the lot in a one-day card-cracking marathon, Panini has undeniably rekindled the merry-making magic of collecting, proving that they know how to wrap collectible joy into a festive format.
