Honestly, the sports advent calendar 2024 scene was a bit of a wild west.
You’d think a countdown to Christmas would be all about cheap chocolate and cardboard doors. Nope. In 2024, it turned into a high-stakes hunt for "Kaboom" inserts and 1-of-1 parallels.
If you missed out or bought the wrong one, you probably realized pretty quickly that not all calendars are created equal. Some were basically "trash wax" in a fancy box. Others? They were absolute gold mines that tripled in value on eBay before December 10th.
The Topps and Panini Showdown
The big players really leaned into the hype this time.
Take the 2024 Topps Baseball Holiday Advent Calendar. It retailed for around $39.99. Sounds reasonable, right? Within weeks, people were flipping them for $150. Why? Because Topps stuffed them with 20 five-card packs and "buyback" cards. A buyback is basically a vintage card they bought back from the secondary market and stamped with a holiday logo. It’s a nostalgia hit that collectors couldn't resist.
Then you have the 2024 Panini Absolute Football Kaboom! Countdown.
This thing was massive. Literally. It featured a pop-up display of a giant Kaboom card. It retailed for about $90 to $100 depending on where you found it (Walmart or Panini direct).
The risk was huge.
You’re basically hunting for the ultra-rare Kaboom or Explosive inserts. If you didn't hit those, you were left with a pile of base cards that—to be blunt—weren't worth much. I saw one collector on Reddit, billybobbobothe16th, who live-ripped his calendar and ended up with a mountain of duplicates. He called it "lottery tickets in cardboard form." He’s not wrong.
Beyond the Trading Cards
It wasn't just about the cardboard.
- Vice Golf dropped a 24-day calendar that was actually useful. Instead of trinkets, it had 24 exclusive golf balls. No repeats. Just limited editions and unreleased designs for next year.
- F1 Fans got the Red Bull Racing and McLaren build-your-own model kits. These are cool because you aren't just opening a door; you're building a 1:43 scale model over 24 days.
- Funko did their usual NFL thing with 24 tiny Vinyl SODA-style figures.
Why the Secondary Market Went Bananas
Scalpers.
That’s the short answer. But the long answer involves "chase" culture.
When Topps announced that the 2024 calendar would include chances for autographs and relics, the hobby went into a frenzy. It stopped being a gift for kids and started being an "investment product."
By the time December 1st rolled around, if you hadn't pre-ordered, you were paying double.
I checked the numbers. Eight-box cases of the Topps calendar that retailed for $319 were hitting $770 on eBay. That is a massive markup for what is essentially a fun holiday countdown. It creates a weird vibe where parents are trying to buy a fun gift for their kid, but they're competing with "breakers" and professional flippers.
What Most People Got Wrong
The biggest mistake was assuming the "MSRP" meant anything.
If you saw a sports advent calendar 2024 at a retail store like Target or GameStop for $35, you should have grabbed it instantly. Many people waited, thinking they'd go on sale. They didn't. They vanished.
Another misconception? Thinking the "exclusive" cards are always valuable.
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A "Red and Blue" parallel from the Panini box is cool to look at, but if it’s a backup punter, it’s still a backup punter. You need the big names. We’re talking Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, or Patrick Mahomes.
A Quick Reality Check
| Product | Retail Price | What's Actually Inside? |
|---|---|---|
| Topps Baseball | $39.99 | 100+ cards, holiday inserts, buybacks. |
| Panini Absolute Football | $99.00 | 72 cards, huge "Kaboom" display, high risk/reward. |
| TeenyMates NFL | $34.99 | 1-inch figures, puzzle, stickers. Purely for kids. |
| Bimble & Bolt Runner | ~$50.00 | Socks, snacks, and "fueling" products. Very practical. |
Is It Even Worth the Hype?
It depends on why you're buying it.
If you want a fun daily activity with your kid who loves the San Diego Padres or the Buffalo Bills, the TeenyMates or the lower-end Topps boxes are great. They're tactile. They're fun.
But if you're "ripping" (opening packs) to make a profit?
You're probably going to be disappointed. The "floor" on these products is very low. You can easily spend $100 and end up with $5 worth of cards. It’s the thrill of the chase, though. That’s what people pay for.
What to Look for Next Time
- Check the Checklist: Before buying, look up the "checklist" online. Sites like Cardboard Connection will tell you exactly which players are in the set.
- Pre-order Early: These are seasonal. They don't restock. Once they're gone from the manufacturer, the price spikes.
- Watch the "Breakers": Before you open yours, watch a YouTube video of someone else opening one. If they get 20 duplicates, you know what you're in for.
The 2024 season showed us that sports collectibles are no longer just a hobby; they're a lifestyle. Even at Christmas. Especially at Christmas.
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If you're still looking for a deal on a sports advent calendar 2024, your best bet is hitting up local card shops (LCS). Sometimes they have "shelf-warmers" they’re trying to move after the holidays, though with the 2024 hype, that's getting rarer.
Next Steps for You:
- Audit your current collection: If you opened a 2024 calendar, check your "Nice List" or "Kaboom" inserts against recent eBay "Sold" listings to see if you're sitting on a sleeper hit.
- Set a calendar alert for October 2025: This is when the pre-orders for the next round of calendars usually go live at https://www.google.com/search?q=Topps.com and PaniniAmerica.net.
- Verify your "Buybacks": If you pulled a vintage card from a Topps calendar, look for the holiday-specific foil stamp to ensure it's the 2024 version and not just a standard base card.