Panini Absolute Football Countdown Calendar Returns for 2026 With Kaboom Chase and Holiday Memorabilia Cards

Panini America is bringing back its Absolute Football Countdown Calendar for 2026, giving football card collectors 24 days of packs to open during the holiday season. The calendar contains 24 individual doors, with a three-card pack waiting behind each one. That gives collectors 72 cards across the full countdown, with a mix of current college players, established stars from the past and holiday-themed cards from the Absolute Football lineup.

Among the college names featured are Trinidad Chambliss, Dante Moore and Julian Sayin, while former NFL stars Calvin Johnson and Eli Manning are among the veterans included on the checklist. Panini’s announcement also highlights CJ Carr among the college players collectors can find.

The holiday format goes beyond simply dividing the packs across 24 days. Collectors can find Base White Snow cards as well as exclusive parallels and inserts created for the countdown product. One of the biggest chases is Panini’s ultra-rare Kaboom! insert. The distinctive insert has become one of the company’s most recognizable football card designs, and Panini specifically lists Kaboom among the cards collectors should watch for in the 2026 calendar.

Each calendar also averages one Holiday Suit Memorabilia card, adding a memorabilia hit designed specifically around the seasonal release. Panini says calendars average 24 inserts or insert parallels in addition to the memorabilia card.

With 24 packs containing three cards apiece, each calendar holds 72 cards. Panini says a full case contains eight calendars for a total of 576 cards. The 2026 Panini Absolute Football Countdown Calendar is available now through Panini’s website and select retailers. Panini’s announcement specifically lists Target, Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Best Buy among the retailers carrying the product.