{
  "id": 6593230,
  "title": "Panini sales tumble after sticker maker loses Premier League licence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/panini-sales-tumble-after-sticker-maker-loses-premier-league-licence",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-10T13:01:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/panini-sales-tumble-after-sticker-maker-loses-premier-league-licence/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the UK, Panini, a popular manufacturer of collectible stickers, has experienced a significant decline in sales since losing its exclusive licence to produce player stickers for the Premier League. The Italian company's UK subsidiary reported a more than 20 percent drop in turnover to £43.3 million in 2025, according to financial documents obtained by City AM. Established in 1975, Panini has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with FIFA since the 1970 World Cup. However, in 2024, rival Fanatics secured the licence to produce Premier League player stickers, forcing Panini to cease printing such stickers at the end of the following season in June 2025.\n\nMark Riddell, Panini's UK managing director, attributed the company's performance largely to the quality and availability of sport and entertainment licences, as well as the retention of key senior employees. Despite the loss of the Premier League licence, Riddell expressed confidence that investment in acquiring new licences and the strength of existing sport and entertainment licences would maintain operating profit forecasts. The firm also noted that significant investments are being made to secure licences for future products.\n\nDespite the decline in sales, Panini managed to boost its profitability during the year, with profit after tax nearly doubling to £2.5 million, largely due to favorable exchange gains. In an effort to regain market share, Panini launched a partnership with M&S Food in May 2025, offering official national team sticker packs for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales for £3 each, along with free sticker packs for every £20 spent in-store. The initiative proved popular with football fans, with an M&S spokesperson reporting that stickers albums \"have been flying off the shelves\" and urging customers to visit their local M&S to purchase the items. Meanwhile, Panini's rival, Fanatics, also faced a sales slump in 2025, with total turnover down 8 percent to £360 million. The revenue decline was primarily attributed to the conclusion of the Manchester United partnership and the decision not to renew.",
  "summary": "Collectable stickers maker Panini has seen its sales tumble in the UK following the loss of a major Premier League licence. The Italian company’s UK subsidiary recorded a more than 20 per cent drop in turnover to £43.3m in 2025, according to accounts seen by City AM. The 65-year-old firm, which has had a partnership [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}