What does the future of the sports card hobby really look like?

In this episode of Collector Nation, Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden unpack the most important trends shaping sports cards heading into 2026 — from grading and raw cards to breakers, Fanatics, Pokémon, and playoff-driven market spikes.

Inside the conversation:

• Why grading has become mainstream — and won’t reverse

• The role breakers play in driving demand and visibility

• How raw cards still matter in a graded-dominated world

• Why the hobby economy may be far larger than reported

• What Fanatics and Topps could mean for pricing and access

• Playoff quarterback cards and potential market upside

• Which hobby trends could fade — and which are accelerating

This episode is a must-listen for collectors, investors, and anyone serious about understanding where the hobby is going next.

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The sports card and collectibles hobby is entering a new phase—one driven by content, community, and digital discovery.

In this episode, we’re joined by Shivam Patel, a collector and content creator with a front-row seat to how modern collectors engage with sports cards, trading card games, and pop-culture collectibles.

Shivam shares insights on how media influences demand, why younger collectors think differently, and what the hobby needs to understand as it continues to evolve.

• How media and storytelling impact collecting

• Why community is now central to the hobby

• Differences between sports card and TCG collectors

• How new collectors enter the hobby today

• Trends shaping the future of collectibles

• Social: @notshivam

• Podcast: The Vaulted Podcast

• Covers: Sports cards, TCGs, collectibles, and hobby culture

Welcome to the first episode of the new year on Collector Nation.

To kick off 2026, Ryan Alford is joined by his son Hudson for an honest conversation about where the sports card hobby is today — and where it’s headed next. From ripping Donruss Football blasters to debating game-worn patches, breaking culture, and affordability, this episode explores the growing gap between adult collectors and the next generation.

The sports card hobby is evolving fast — but are adults and kids even playing the same game anymore?

They dive into why collecting today is just as much about entertainment and media as it is about value, how kids enter the hobby through online breaks, and what brands like Topps and Panini need to do to keep young collectors engaged.

This is a rare look at the future of collecting — straight from someone living it.

• Why the hobby feels adult-priced but youth-driven

• Kids vs adults: modern cards vs vintage

• The role of live breaks and online platforms

• What makes cards “cool” vs actually valuable

• Blasters, hobby boxes, and affordability

• Thoughts on licensed vs unlicensed cards

• Building Collector Station as an experience-first card shop

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📲 Follow Ryan on Instagram: @RyanAlford
🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube