If you're hunting for the next big CJ Stroud or Anthony Richardson hit, you've probably spent some serious time staring at the 2023 select football hobby checklist trying to make sense of the chaos. Select is one of those sets that collectors either absolutely love or find slightly overwhelming because there's just so much going on. It's not like Prizm, where it's a straightforward hunt for a silver; Select is a multi-layered beast with tiers, colors, and short prints that can make your head spin if you aren't prepared.
Let's be real, the 2023 season was a wild ride for card collectors. With a heavy-hitting rookie class, Panini really leaned into the variety this year. If you're looking to rip a hobby box or even just buy singles on the secondary market, understanding how the checklist is structured is the only way to make sure you aren't overpaying for a common parallel when you could be snagging a true rarity.
The Famous Four-Tier Base Set
The thing that defines the 2023 select football hobby checklist more than anything else is the tiered base set. Unlike most other products where a base card is just a base card, Select breaks things down into four distinct levels of rarity.
First, you've got the Concourse level. These are the most common cards in the set. You'll find plenty of these in every box, and while they look great, they don't carry the same weight as the higher tiers. Next up is the Premier Level. These are slightly harder to find and feature a different design. Then we move into the Club Level, which is where things start getting interesting for collectors looking for value.
Finally, we have the Field Level. This is the "white whale" of the base tiers. If you pull a Field Level rookie of a top-tier quarterback, you've had a very good day. These are much shorter-printed than the Concourse cards, and the market reflects that. When you're looking at the checklist, always keep an eye on which tier you're bidding on—a Silver Prizm Field Level is worth significantly more than a Silver Prizm Concourse.
Chasing the Rainbow of Parallels
If you like color, the 2023 select football hobby checklist is basically your playground. Panini didn't hold back on the parallels this year. You've got your standard Silvers, which are a staple of any chrome-style set, but the hobby-exclusive stuff is where the real money lives.
Hobby boxes are the only place you're going to find specific parallels like the Tie-Dye (/25), Gold (/10), and the legendary Green (/5) or Black Finite (1/1). There's something about that Tie-Dye pattern on a Select card that just looks right—it's flashy without being too over-the-top.
We also have to talk about the "animal" prints. The Zebra parallels are back, and they remain some of the most sought-after case hits in the hobby. They aren't numbered, which drives some people crazy, but their scarcity is well-documented. If you see a Zebra pop out of a pack, it doesn't matter who the player is; you've usually got something worth holding onto. This year, the checklist also includes the Elephant and Tiger prints in various formats, but the Zebra remains the king of the jungle for most hobbyists.
The Rookie Class that Carries the Load
The success of any checklist usually comes down to the guys wearing the helmets, and the 2023 rookie class is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Because this set dropped well after the season was underway, the hype for players like CJ Stroud and Anthony Richardson was already at a fever pitch.
But it's not just the QBs. The 2023 select football hobby checklist is loaded with talent across the board. You've got Puka Nacua, who came out of nowhere to break records, and Bijan Robinson, who remains a hobby favorite despite the ups and downs of the Falcons' season.
One of the coolest things about Select is the XRC Mystery Redemptions. These are cards you pull that represent players from the following draft class (the 2024 class). It's basically a way to get a head start on next year's stars like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels before their official cards even hit the shelves. These are hobby-exclusive and are always a massive highlight of the checklist.
Inserts and Case Hits to Watch For
While the base tiers and parallels are the meat and potatoes of the set, the inserts are the dessert. The 2023 select football hobby checklist features some returning favorites and some stunning new designs.
Color Blast is arguably the most beautiful card in the entire hobby. It's a white-background card with an explosion of color behind the player, and the pull rates are incredibly low. If you manage to find a Color Blast in your box, you've essentially hit the lottery.
Then there's Starlight. This is another non-numbered short print that has a distinct, "starry" holo pattern. It's subtle compared to a Color Blast, but it has a dedicated following. Other inserts like Snapshot, En Fuego, and Phenomenon fill out the checklist, giving you something extra to look for in every pack. They might not always be worth hundreds of dollars, but they look fantastic in a display case.
Autographs and Memorabilia (The RPAs)
You can't talk about a hobby checklist without mentioning the hits. Select is famous for its Rookie Patch Autographs (RPAs). These cards usually feature a piece of player-worn jersey alongside a hard-signed signature.
The 2023 select football hobby checklist includes several RPA variations, mostly found in the hobby boxes. The Prime Selections and Jumbo Rookie Swatch autographs are always big hits. Keep an eye out for the Tie-Dye RPAs—those are usually numbered to 25 and are some of the most visually striking cards Panini produces.
A quick tip for the collectors out there: pay attention to whether the autograph is "on-card" or a "sticker auto." While most high-end Select hits aim for that on-card feel, some of the lower-tier inserts might use stickers. For long-term value, the on-card RPAs from the 2023 select football hobby checklist are always going to be the safer bet.
Why Select Stays Relevant
You might wonder why people obsess over the 2023 select football hobby checklist when there are so many other sets out there. It really comes down to the "shelf life" of the product. Select has a premium feel that bridges the gap between mid-tier sets like Donruss and high-end sets like National Treasures.
It's durable, it's shiny, and the tiered system means there's always a "better" version of a card to chase. It creates a natural hierarchy that collectors love. Plus, the hobby boxes are structured to give you a decent amount of "hits" (usually three autographs or memorabilia cards per box), which makes the opening experience a bit more rewarding than gambling on a "hit-or-miss" product.
Final Thoughts on the Set
Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just getting back into the hobby, the 2023 select football hobby checklist offers something for everyone. It's got the big-name rookies, the rare case hits, and enough parallels to keep you busy for a lifetime.
Just remember to keep your expectations in check. Hobby boxes can be expensive, and while the "ceiling" for a box is sky-high, the "floor" can be a bit shaky if you don't hit one of those top-tier QBs. But that's the thrill of the hunt, right? If you're buying singles, focus on those Field Level parallels and the hobby-exclusive colors. They tend to hold their value much better over time.
Happy hunting, and hopefully, your next rip includes a Zebra or a Gold 1/1!