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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: right"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May&nbsp;8, 2025.</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>FORM&nbsp;S-8</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Vericel Corporation</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Michigan</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>94-3096597</B></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(State
    or other jurisdiction</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(I.R.S.
    employer identification no.)</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">of
    incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>64 Sidney St.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02139<BR>
</B></FONT>(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Vericel
Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan<BR>
</B></FONT>(Full title of the plans)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Dominick Colangelo<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
Vericel Corporation<BR>
64 Sidney St.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02139<BR>
</B></FONT>(Name and address of agent for service)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(617) 588-5555</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Telephone Number,&nbsp;Including area code, of
Agent for Service)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Copy to:</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Keith M. Townsend</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Robert J. Leclerc</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">King&nbsp;&amp; Spalding LLP</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Atlanta, Georgia 30309</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Tel: (404) 572-4600</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of &ldquo;large accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;accelerated filer,&rdquo; &ldquo;smaller reporting company&rdquo;
and &ldquo;emerging growth company&rdquo; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Large
    accelerated filer </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt">x</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Accelerated
    filer </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt">o</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Non-accelerated
    filer </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt">o</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Smaller
    reporting company </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt">o</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Emerging
    growth company </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt">o</FONT></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;7(a)(2)(B)&nbsp;of the Securities Act. </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">o</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.25in">This Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8
(the &ldquo;Registration Statement&rdquo;) is filed by Vericel Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the &ldquo;Company&rdquo; or the
 &ldquo;Registrant&rdquo;) pursuant to General Instruction E to Form&nbsp;S-8. The contents of the Registration Statement on <A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887359/000110465915048503/a15-14866_1s8.htm">Form&nbsp;S-8 previously filed on June&nbsp;29, 2015 (File No.&nbsp;333-205338)</A>, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof,
except as supplemented, amended or superseded by the information set forth below. This Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 is filed
by the Company to register an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Company&rsquo;s common stock, no par value (the &ldquo;Common Stock&rdquo;),
which are reserved for issuance under the Vericel Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the &ldquo;Amended
and Restated ESPP&rdquo;). The reservation of such shares was approved by the Company&rsquo;s shareholders on April&nbsp;30, 2025, at
the annual meeting of the Company&rsquo;s shareholders.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt; width: 0.5in"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887359/000130817925000169/vcel4391153-def14a.htm#lvcela031"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">4.1</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887359/000130817925000169/vcel4391153-def14a.htm#lvcela031"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Vericel
    Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, attached as Appendix II to the Company&rsquo;s Proxy Statement,
    filed on March&nbsp;20, 2025, incorporated herein by reference (File No.&nbsp;001.35280).</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex5-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">5.1*</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex5-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Opinion
    of Dykema Gossett PLLC.</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex23-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">23.1*</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex23-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Consent
    of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,&nbsp;Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex5-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">23.2*</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex5-1.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Consent
    of Dykema Gossett PLLC (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto).</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="#a_001"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">24.1*</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="#a_001"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Power
    of Attorney (included in signature pages&nbsp;to this Registration Statement).</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex-filingfees.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">107*</FONT></A></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding: 0.25pt"><A HREF="tm2514102d1_ex-filingfees.htm"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Filing
    Fee Table</FONT></A></TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">* Filed herewith.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"></P>

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    <DIV STYLE="break-before: page; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><P STYLE="margin: 0pt">&nbsp;</P></DIV>
    <!-- Field: /Page -->

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B><A NAME="a_001"></A>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&nbsp;S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Cambridge, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on May&nbsp;8, 2025.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>VERICEL CORPORATION</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/ Dominick
    Colangelo</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Dominick Colangelo</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">President
    and Chief Executive Officer </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">We, the undersigned officers and directors of
Vericel Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Dominick Colangelo and Joseph Mara, and each of them singly, our true and
lawful attorneys, with full power to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any amendments to this Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally to do all things in our names and on our behalf in
our capacities as officers and directors to enable Vericel Corporation, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration
Statement and all amendments thereto.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May&nbsp;8,
2025.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; text-align: center; width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid; text-align: center; width: 49%"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Dominick C. Colangelo</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">President and Chief Executive
    Officer, Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Dominick C. Colangelo</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Executive Officer)
    </FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Joseph A. Mara</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chief Financial Officer </FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Joseph A. Mara</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">(Principal Financial Officer)
    </FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Jonathan D. Siegal</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Vice President and Corporate
    Controller</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Jonathan D. Siegal </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;(Principal Accounting
    Officer)</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Robert Zerbe, M.D.</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Chairman of the Board of Directors</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Robert Zerbe, M.D. </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Alan L. Rubino</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Alan L. Rubino </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Heidi M. Hagen</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Heidi M. Hagen </FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Kevin F. McLaughlin</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Kevin F. McLaughlin</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Paul K. Wotton</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Paul K. Wotton</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: black 1pt solid"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">/s/
    Lisa Wright</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; font-size: 10pt">Lisa Wright</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
  </TABLE>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "tm2514102d1_s8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 27347}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "Vericel Corp", "cik": "0000887359", "assigned-sic": "2836", "organization-name": "03 Life Sciences", "ein": "943096597", "state-of-incorporation": "MI", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-287079", "film-number": "25926126"}, "business-address": {"street1": "64 SIDNEY ST.", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02139", "phone": "7349305555"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "64 SIDNEY ST.", "city": "CAMBRIDGE", "state": "MA", "zip": "02139"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "AASTROM BIOSCIENCES INC", "date-changed": "19960428"}}
Registration No. 333-
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on May 8, 2025.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Vericel Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
Michigan
94-3096597
(State
    or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S.
    employer identification no.)
of
    incorporation or organization)
64 Sidney St.
Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02139
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Vericel
Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Dominick Colangelo
President and Chief Executive Officer
Vericel Corporation
64 Sidney St.
Cambridge,
Massachusetts 02139
(Name and address of agent for service)
(617) 588-5555
(Telephone Number, Including area code, of
Agent for Service)
Copy to:
Keith M. Townsend
Robert J. Leclerc
King & Spalding LLP
1180 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Tel: (404) 572-4600
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant
is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.
See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company"
and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
    accelerated filer
x
Accelerated
    filer
o
Non-accelerated
    filer
o
Smaller
    reporting company
o
Emerging
    growth company
o
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.
o
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") is filed by Vericel Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Company" or the
 "Registrant") pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8. The contents of the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 previously filed on June 29, 2015 (File No. 333-205338)
, as amended, is incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof,
except as supplemented, amended or superseded by the information set forth below. This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed
by the Company to register an additional 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, no par value (the "Common Stock"),
which are reserved for issuance under the Vericel Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "Amended
and Restated ESPP"). The reservation of such shares was approved by the Company's shareholders on April 30, 2025, at
the annual meeting of the Company's shareholders.
EXHIBIT INDEX
4.1
Vericel
    Corporation Amended and Restated 2015 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, attached as Appendix II to the Company's Proxy Statement,
    filed on March 20, 2025, incorporated herein by reference (File No. 001.35280).
5.1*
Opinion
    of Dykema Gossett PLLC.
23.1*
Consent
    of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
23.2*
Consent
    of Dykema Gossett PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
24.1*
Power
    of Attorney (included in signature pages to this Registration Statement).
107*
Filing
    Fee Table
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8
and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Cambridge, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on May 8, 2025.
VERICEL CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Dominick
    Colangelo
Dominick Colangelo
President
    and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned officers and directors of
Vericel Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Dominick Colangelo and Joseph Mara, and each of them singly, our true and
lawful attorneys, with full power to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below, any amendments to this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents
in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and generally to do all things in our names and on our behalf in
our capacities as officers and directors to enable Vericel Corporation, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said Registration
Statement and all amendments thereto.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 8,
2025.
Signature
Title
/s/
    Dominick C. Colangelo
President and Chief Executive
    Officer, Director
Dominick C. Colangelo
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/
    Joseph A. Mara
Chief Financial Officer
Joseph A. Mara
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/
    Jonathan D. Siegal
Vice President and Corporate
    Controller
Jonathan D. Siegal
(Principal Accounting
    Officer)
/s/
    Robert Zerbe, M.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Robert Zerbe, M.D.
/s/
    Alan L. Rubino
Director
Alan L. Rubino
/s/
    Heidi M. Hagen
Director
Heidi M. Hagen
/s/
    Kevin F. McLaughlin
Director
Kevin F. McLaughlin
/s/
    Paul K. Wotton
Director
Paul K. Wotton
/s/
    Lisa Wright
Director
Lisa Wright