Product Overview
When Fleer/SkyBox released Metal Universe to the hockey card industry in 1996, the cards were unlike anything collectors had seen. Now, six years into a reboot by Upper Deck, 2025-26 SkyBox Metal Universe Hockey still has a unique look when compared to other cards from the company.
Collectors ripping into a hobby box should expect to find an autograph or Precious Metal Gems (PMG) parallel, a rookie card in every pack, and many other inserts.
2025-25 SkyBox Metal Universe Hockey Checklist Overview
The base set runs 150 cards, split between 100 veterans and 50 rookie cards, which are inserted once per pack.
There are four levels of numbered PMG parallels, which cover all 150 cards, starting with the traditional Red (/100), Green (/10), and Gold (1/1) PMGs.
Blue PMGs are numbered to /50 and are found only in Hot Boxes, which contain one Blue PMG in all 15 packs.
Select base cards also have Autograph parallels, falling at 1:80 packs for veterans and 1:60 for rookies. Parallels are Green (/10) and Gold (1/1).
Additional autographs can be found from the following sets:
SkyBox Premium Prospects (1:120 packs)
Fresh Foundation (1:240)
Championship Galaxy (1:600)
Circle Button (1:600)
Lethal Weapon (1:600)
Lunar Cycle (1:600)
All-Galactic Team (1:1,200)
SkyBox Premium Prospects – Star Emeralds /25
Inserts play a significant role in Metal Universe, and this year’s product delivers plenty of returning favorites and first-year concepts.
Tying back into the product’s nostalgia are 2013 Metal Universe Retros, which feature custom art and more PMGs. But, these are tough finds at 1:240 packs or once per case.
The Red and Green PMGs combine for a production run of 100, with the first 10 of the print run in Green and the final 90 in Red. Additional PMGs are Blue (/50) and Gold (1/1).
Another insert that harkens back to another era is SkyBox Premium Prospects. Collectors find these once in five packs, and the search will be on for parallels: Star Rubies (/50), Star Emeralds (/10) and Star Diamonds (1/1).
Four easy-to-find inserts have three levels of parallels in Purple (/349), Red (/99) and Gold (/10).
Fresh Foundation (1:10 packs)
Championship Galaxy (1:12)
Lunar Cycle (1:12)
All-Galactic Team (1:15)
Circle Button (1:15) and Lethal Weapon (1:15) both have Red (/100) and Green (/10) parallels, while Outer Limits (1:7.5) has a Gold (/99) parallel.
The next tier includes Planet Metal (1:60), Magnetic Field (1:80), Rave Review (1:80), and Copperheads (1:120).
Four other inserts have odds at one per case or longer, including Dark Matter (1:240), A Cut Above (1:267) and Brush Off (1:267).
The toughest finds are the die-cut Platinum Portraits cards, which are seeded at 1:1,200.
2025-26 SkyBox Metal Universe Hockey at a glance:
Cards per pack: Hobby – 6Packs per box: Hobby – 15Boxes per case: Hobby – 16Set size: 150 cardsRelease date (subject to change): TBA
Can’t wait for the new set? Shop for past years’ SkyBox Metal Universe Hockey cards on eBay:
Hobby Boxes
Precious Metal Gems
What to expect in a hobby box:
Autographs or Precious Metal Gems – 1 Total
Additional Chase Cards – 1
Numbered Parallels – 1
Outer Limits Inserts – 2
Additional Inserts – 10
Rookies – 15
