2025-26 Topps Inception Basketball First Day Issue Drops Today: A $1,500 Dutch Auction Box Built Around Cooper Flagg
Topps Inception Basketball First Day Issue boxes went live June 18 via a Dutch auction opening at $1,500. Here is what is in the high-end product, from First Milestone Auto Relics to the Cooper Flagg rookie chase.
Inception Goes First With a High-End Basketball Box
One of the year's most premium NBA products is here. 2025-26 Topps Inception Basketball First Day Issue boxes dropped today, June 18, 2026, through a Dutch auction on Topps.com that opened at a steep $1,500 per box. Hobby pre-orders follow on June 23.
First Day Issue is Topps' way of releasing a small, early allotment with an exclusive parallel before the wider hobby version arrives. For a layered, autograph-and-relic product like Inception, that early access carries a real premium, and the Dutch auction format means the price floats down from $1,500 until buyers meet it.
A Checklist Built on the Rookie Class and the Legends
Inception leans on its glossy, color-saturated design and a subject list that spans eras:
- Rookies: Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel headline the incoming class.
- Veterans and stars: LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama anchor the active checklist.
- Legends: Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson bring the all-time names.
The Hits That Matter
The chase is built around autographs and game-used memorabilia. Look for NBA First Milestone Auto Relics, which pair a signature with memorabilia from each rookie's debut game, plus Rookie Jumbo Relic Autographs, Rookie Relic Booklet Autographs, and Dual Rookie Relic Autographs. Inception Silver Signatures and the rookie-driven autograph subsets round out the box.
A First Milestone Auto Relic tied to a player's first NBA game is exactly the kind of card that holds value if that rookie pops. With Cooper Flagg, the entire product is a bet on his ceiling.
Is It Worth Chasing on Day One?
At a $1,500 opening price, First Day Issue is a product for collectors who specifically want the early-release parallel and are comfortable with high-end variance. If you are buying to flip, remember that the hobby version landing June 23 will reset much of the supply picture. For most collectors, waiting for the standard release, or buying the specific singles you actually want on the secondary market, is the more disciplined play.