Trading card culture is receiving a high-art makeover in East London this week as a one-day-only immersive gallery takes over Shoreditch. A free pop-up exhibition is set to blend football and art on Friday, when Topps launches the Topps Chrome Gallery: The Art of Card Collecting. This one-day immersive experience celebrates the upcoming 2025/26 Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions collection.
Exhibition Details
Taking place at Protein Studios on Friday, May 8, from 11am to 7pm, the free exhibition transforms some of the most coveted Chrome cards into large-scale works of art, merging football, design, and collecting culture into a unique gallery experience. Visitors will be among the first to explore the new Topps Chrome UCC collection, with an exclusive early look at the cards, concepts, and creative direction behind one of the most anticipated releases in the hobby.
Immersive Installations
The space has been reimagined through a series of immersive installations created by leading voices in football culture, including The Goal Hanger, Ivan Beslic, and Goal Frames. Across the exhibition, guests will move through environments inspired by the culture of collecting, from a 'rookie bedroom' installation exploring the mindset of football’s next generation to a Chrome infinity box that captures the depth and allure of the brand. A large-scale anime-inspired ceiling installation reimagines Chrome artwork in an immersive format, while a display of rare 1/1 Topps Chrome cards highlights the scarcity and value that define the hobby.
Throughout the day, a live box-breaking experience will bring the excitement and theatre of collecting into the gallery space, offering fans a chance to experience the ritual first-hand. Each installation is paired with rich, QR-led storytelling, giving visitors deeper insight into the players, cards, and creative process behind the collection, reinforcing Topps’ position at the intersection of sport and culture.
Attendance and Prizes
The Topps Chrome Gallery is free to attend and open for one day only. Fans who register in advance will also be entered into an exclusive prize draw, with the chance to win one of five VIP packages, including a £50 Fanatics Collectibles gift card and a Topps Chrome goody bag. Registration is available online. The event takes place in Shoreditch, Greater London.
