If you're looking to dive into something a little different than your standard sports card products, the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist is where you should probably start your search. This isn't your typical baseball or basketball set where you know exactly what to expect in every pack. Goodwin is that one release every year where Upper Deck basically says, "What if we put a legendary hockey player, a world-class fisherman, and a piece of a meteorite in the same box?" It's chaotic, it's unpredictable, and honestly, that's exactly why people love it.
Whether you're a hardcore collector chasing high-value autographs or someone who just likes the "oddball" side of the hobby, this year's checklist has a lot to offer. Let's take a look at what makes this specific year stand out and what you should be looking for when you're ripping through packs.
What Makes Goodwin Champions So Different?
The beauty of Goodwin Champions is that it doesn't play by the rules. While most sets are tied to a specific league like the NHL or the PGA, Goodwin is more of a "catch-all" for everything interesting. You'll find some of the biggest names in sports, sure, but you'll also find cards featuring historical figures, nature themes, and even some pop culture icons.
The 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist continues this tradition of being wonderfully weird. It's the kind of set where you might pull a Tiger Woods autograph in one pack and a card containing a piece of an ancient artifact in the next. If you're tired of seeing the same five rookies in every single product, this is a breath of fresh air. It feels more like a treasure hunt than a standard card collection.
Taking a Look at the Base Set
The foundation of any set is the base checklist, and for 2023, it's pretty extensive. Usually, you're looking at a 100-card base set, but that's just the beginning. The real fun starts with the short prints.
In this year's product, the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist features cards 1 through 100 as your standard base, but then you've got cards 101 through 150 that are split between Splash of Color and Goudey short prints. The Goudey cards are a nice throwback to the vintage designs of the 1930s, which gives the set a bit of a classic feel despite some of the modern subjects.
Don't ignore the parallels, either. You've got your standard ones like Royal Blue and Orange Prism, but Upper Deck also loves to throw in some tougher-to-find versions. If you're lucky, you might stumble upon a 1-of-1 Black Diamond parallel or a high-gloss version that really pops in the light.
The Big Hits: Autographs and Memorabilia
Let's be real—most of us are opening boxes for the hits. Upper Deck has some of the biggest exclusive names in the world, and they definitely show up on the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist.
Since Upper Deck has long-standing deals with legends like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James, Goodwin is one of the few places where you can still find their autographs in a modern product. But for the 2023 edition, there's another name that everyone is chasing: Connor Bedard. Since he's the biggest thing to hit hockey in a decade, any card with his name on it is going to be a massive target.
Aside from the sports legends, keep an eye out for some of the more "interesting" signatures. You might find autographs from professional eaters, surfers, or even voice actors. It's that variety that makes the autograph checklist so fun to look through. You never really know whose signature is going to end up in your hands.
The Weird and Wonderful Relics
This is where Goodwin really separates itself from the pack. Every year, Upper Deck includes "Museum Collection" relics, and the 2023 lineup doesn't disappoint. We're talking about things like bits of historical documents, pieces of old uniforms, or even natural history relics like fossils and meteorites.
There are also the "Glow-in-the-Dark" cards and the "Bugs" cards. Yes, actual bugs. They've been doing these for a few years now, where a small insect is encased in the card. It's definitely not for everyone, but if you want a conversation piece for your collection, it doesn't get much better than that.
Another cool feature on the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist is the continuation of the "Splash of Color" lenticular cards. These have that 3D-like effect that makes the image look like it's moving or has depth. They've been a staple of the brand for a while, and they remain one of the most visually striking inserts you can find.
The Bounty Program: A Fun Little Challenge
Upper Deck loves to give collectors a reason to finish their sets, and they do that through the "Bounty" program. Basically, if you are among the first people to collect a specific subset of cards—like the Splash of Color 3D lenticulars—and register the codes on the Upper Deck website, you can earn exclusive reward cards that you can't get anywhere else.
It adds a layer of gamification to the hobby. Instead of just buying a card and putting it in a sleeve, you're racing against other collectors to finish a set. The rewards are usually pretty high-end, often featuring top-tier athletes or unique designs that make the effort worth it. If you're the type of person who loves the thrill of the chase, checking the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist for these specific bounty targets is a must.
Why You Should Care About This Set
I think the reason Goodwin stays popular year after year is that it's just fun. Sometimes the card hobby can get a little too serious. Everyone is worried about "investing" or "grading" and "flipping" for a profit. Goodwin reminds us that collecting can just be about finding cool stuff.
The 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist is a perfect example of this. It's a set where you can appreciate the art, the history, and the sheer randomness of the subjects. It's great for families to rip together because kids love the animal cards and the shiny inserts, while the adults can hunt for the big-name autographs.
Plus, the price point for Goodwin is usually pretty reasonable compared to some of the high-end "luxury" brands. You get a lot of variety for your money, and you're guaranteed a few hits per box, which isn't always the case with other products.
Some Final Thoughts for Collectors
If you're planning on jumping into this set, my best advice is to keep an open mind. Don't just look for the "big four" sports. Look at the names you don't recognize. Look at the "World Traveler" map relics or the "Legendary Shipwrecks" inserts. There's a lot of value tucked away in the corners of the 2023 upper deck goodwin champions checklist that people might overlook if they're only focusing on Michael Jordan or Connor Bedard.
It's also a great set for set-builders. Since there are so many different types of cards, you can choose a specific "mini-set" to complete without breaking the bank. Maybe you want to collect all the Goudey short prints, or maybe you just want all the cards featuring different types of birds. Whatever your niche is, Goodwin probably has something that fits.
At the end of the day, the 2023 release is another solid entry in a long line of Goodwin Champions sets. It keeps the core identity of the brand alive while bringing in some fresh faces and new concepts. So, if you're looking to add some personality to your card collection, go ahead and take a closer look at that checklist. You might just find something you didn't even know you were looking for.