2025–26 Leaf NLL: Box Lacrosse Gets Its Own Throwback Chase

Jeff Teat's 2025–26 Leaf NLL preview puts the action first: helmet, gloves, stick and captain's letter all fit inside a narrow gold-and-white frame. It looks like a card for people who watch box lacrosse. The position printed beneath his name is part of that identity, and Leaf carries the idea through a release that gives forwards, defenders, goalies and transition players their own inserts.

Leaf expects the release in November 2026. The printed 2025–26 season stays on the product, while the box contains six packs of four cards, or 24 cards. The base set and its autograph version cover established players and rookies across the league.

A familiar frame, then a change of era

Ryan Keenan's autograph preview shows the regular design's practical strengths. His green uniform stays separate from the white signing area, and the blue signature has a broad panel below the photograph. The illustrated card is numbered 15/99. Leaf also identifies Gold Foil as the only 1/1 parallel for the base and base autograph cards; that statement applies to those groups rather than every insert in the release.

The official product page gives the throwbacks a different draw. Classic designs receive on-card autograph versions, with names including CJ Kirst, Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith. Leaf puts those on-card throwback autographs at roughly one per case. That is a case-level average, distinct from the 24-card box configuration.

Position and nationality become collecting paths

Forward, Defense, Goalie and Transition are the four position-focused insert groups. Their separation suits this sport: a favorite goalkeeper or transition player has a named place in the insert program alongside the attacking stars. A player collection can follow that role through the base design and its corresponding insert.

Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada take the selection in another direction. Leaf describes the national-themed inserts as short prints. O Canada has English and French versions, with an autograph parallel numbered to five. The language variation gives that particular insert a distinction beyond changing the border color.

The most appealing tension in Leaf NLL is between its straightforward action photography and the older card designs. Teat's base preview gives the game its immediate visual identity; the on-card throwbacks give collectors a separate reason to follow the signatures. Both belong comfortably in a release built specifically around the NLL.