Q1 2026 Trading Card Market Report: Strong Start

Q1 2026 started strong across all segments, building on 2025's positive year-end momentum.World Cup AnticipationSoccer card sales increased 45% quarter-over-quarter as collectors positioned ahead of the June 2026 World Cup. Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League and Panini Prizm Premier League saw the biggest gains. Mbappé and Bellingham cards led the price increases.Pokemon 30th AnniversaryThe Pokémon Company announced anniversary celebration sets, driving pre-order demand and increasing prices on vintage Base Set cards. The nostalgia narrative continues to bring new adult collectors into the hobby.Modern SportsBaseball spring training generated buzz around new prospects. Basketball's playoff race created volatility in player-specific cards. NFL was in its quieter offseason phase but draft speculation started early.Key MetricAverage transaction value on SuperCatch increased 18% YoY, driven by more graded card sales and higher-value vintage transactions. The market is maturing — buyers are spending more per card rather than buying more cards.