Kansas City, Mo., is experiencing a World Cup sticker frenzy as fans rush to buy Panini sticker packs to fill their collectible albums. Adam Martin, owner of Dave and Adam’s Card World, reports that his store has sold an “unbelievable amount” of stickers and has had to reorder twice.

The History of Panini Stickers

Panini stickers have been a World Cup tradition since 1970, when four Italian brothers paid $1,000 to procure the rights to produce the images. The stickers, which depict players and teams, have become a hot commodity, with many stores selling out and backorders not shipping until the tournament is over.

This year’s album is the largest ever, with 980 distinct stickers. The stickers are not valuable by themselves, but the challenge of completing the album has become a beloved tradition. Many fans, including content creator Sammi Kaewsawang, have taken to social media to trade stickers and connect with other fans.

A New Era for World Cup Collectibles

However, the end of an era is near for Panini stickers. The company will lose the rights to produce World Cup cards, stickers, and other FIFA collectibles after the 2030 tournament. Fanatics, a U.S.-based company, will take over the rights, but it’s unclear whether they will produce a similar product.

For now, fans are enjoying the thrill of the hunt for the rarest stickers, including the black-bordered, 1-of-1 stickers that can command high prices. The World Cup sticker frenzy has brought people together, creating a sense of community and nostalgia for many fans.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.