# Red Rookie Redemption > How the Red Rookie Redemption Program Works The Red Rookie Redemption is a milestonebased rewards program built for collectors When you pull a Red Rook Source: https://support.fanaticscollect.com/en_us/red-rookie-redemption-B1vhmAm6xg Last updated: 2026-04-28T15:13:53.077Z The Red Rookie Redemption program is a milestone-based rewards program built for collectors. When you pull a Red Rookie card (identified by a red "RC" badge) of a player who goes on to win Rookie of the Year, you may be eligible to redeem it for FanCash by submitting your card to [The Vault](https://support.fanaticscollect.com/the-vault-ryZxlahWZl). If that player continues to earn major career accolades, additional rewards may become available over time. ## **Card and player eligibility** To qualify for redemption, all Red Rookie cards must be authentic and in fair condition, free from significant tears or major creases. ### **MLB (Bowman Baseball)** * Only specific Red Rookie cards qualify for this program * Cards must be from Bowman Baseball or Bowman Chrome Baseball * Only Red Rookie cards featuring the player who wins Rookie of the Year in either league qualify for redemption ### **NBA** * Only Red Rookie cards featuring that season’s NBA Rookie of the Year qualify for redemption and should be sent  * Cards must be from Bowman Basketball ## **Redemption windows** Redemption windows are tied to player milestones and vary by league. Cards must be physically received to The Vault location before the applicable window closes for item(s) to qualify. ### **MLB**  **Please note, this year’s MLB Red Rookie Redemption window is currently closed** * The initial redemption window opens after the Rookie of the Year award is announced * Additional redemption opportunities may become available if the player reaches new milestones such as MVP, Cy Young, or Hall of Fame induction * Specific timing and duration of each window will be communicated as part of the program ### **NBA**  * The initial redemption window opens after the Rookie of the Year award is announced in the spring * ** **The first redemption window will close on October 1, 2026** ** Additional windows may open as follows: * If the player wins an MVP award, a new redemption window opens from the time of that announcement * If the player is inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame within 10 years of retirement after winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP, a new redemption window opens Note: If the player doesn’t win an MVP or reach the Hall of Fame, the card will no longer be eligible after the first redemption window closes ## **Rewards and milestones** Red Rookie cards may increase in value as the featured player reaches new career milestones. * The first reward becomes available when the player wins Rookie of the Year * Milestones must be earned in order * Additional rewards may be earned if the player reaches further milestones ### **MLB milestones** ![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/68b87fca6908c096308f416a/2e6c0eaead5c0960c49e7ae41be738c9.png) **NBA milestones** ![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/68b87fca6908c096308f416a/67128c0dde219859e8fccefca61c3a5f.png) Additional rules: * If a milestone window closes, previous rewards cannot be claimed later * Once a card is redeemed, it’s no longer eligible for future rewards * Fanatics Collect takes ownership of redeemed cards In some cases, rewards may be combined: * If a player earns multiple eligible awards in the same season, applicable reward values may be combined * If a player earns both MVP and Cy Young in the same year for MLB, the higher value reward applies ## **Submitting Your Card** You'll need to log in or create a Fanatics Collect account to submit your card for redemption. ### **Submission guidelines** * Each account may redeem up to 50 eligible Red Rookie cards per redemption window * To qualify, cards must be sent through our official submission process and received before submission window closes * Cards sent without a submission will be ineligible and returned at the sender’s expense * Shipping costs and applicable taxes aren’t reimbursed ### **Submission process** When submitting your card, select "Red Rookie Redemption" from the list of submission options. During the process, you'll be able to choose how you'd like to handle your card: * **Option 1:** Redeem it automatically for FanCash once it's received * **Option 2:** Store it in your vault so you can choose to redeem it later, either when your player reaches additional milestones or when the timing feels right [**Click here**](https://members.fanaticscollect.com/submissions/create) **to submit your card** Note: While there are multiple Red Rookie programs, only active ones will appear as submission options. If you don't see a specific program, it may no longer be running. ## **How FanCash works** When you redeem an eligible card, you’ll receive FanCash. * FanCash may only be used on Fanatics platforms * FanCash cannot be exchanged for cash or other monetary value * Credit is issued after the card is verified and processed * FanCash doesn’t expire ## **More help** [Contact support](https://support.fanaticscollect.com/contact-support-HJO070magl) for any questions you may have about the Red Rookie Redemption program. _Topps reserves the right in its sole discretion to deny any Product Defect submission for any reason. The program may be modified or canceled at Fanatics Collect's discretion, including terms, redemption windows, and credit amounts._