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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Shownotes:

In this episode of Collector Nation, host Ryan Alford sits down with Alex Bruh, CEO and Co-Owner of Wax Poetics, to explore the explosive intersection of music history, hip-hop culture, and high-value collectibles.

From the lost Mariah Carey demo tape that just broke a world auction record, to a never-before-released early hip-hop recording that Alex calls “one of the most historically significant pieces of hip-hop history ever,” this episode goes deep inside the stories behind the music.

Wax Poetics has worked directly with artists and producers behind Mariah Carey, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Bootsy Collins, and more, creating an editorial-driven collectibles marketplace built on trust, storytelling, and cultural preservation.

If you care about music history, hip-hop culture, vinyl, tapes, rare recordings, or alternative collectibles, this is a must-listen.

Topics Covered:

• The untold story behind Mariah Carey’s lost demo tape

• How a leaked snippet sent Reddit into a frenzy

• Why Wax Poetics believes storytelling matters more than transactions

• The future of music collectibles and auctions

• A mystery hip-hop recording launching this January

• Why this upcoming release could change hip-hop history forever
  
  

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Collector Nation is here—and it’s changing how the hobby tells its story.

In this episode, Ryan Alford is joined by Brian Ludden, Founder & CEO of LUDX, to officially launch Collector Nation, a new media platform built by collectors, for collectors.

They break down why the hobby needs a professional media ecosystem, how LUDX is becoming the data backbone of collecting, and what the future looks like as technology, AI, and media collide in sports cards and collectibles.

From AI-assisted grading and collection management to vintage vs modern card strategies, monetization models, and why first-party data matters more than ever, this conversation blends industry insight, opinion, and behind-the-scenes perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why Collector Nation was created

• The LUDX partnership and media vision

• How AI and ChatGPT can pre-grade cards

• LUDX scanning 158M+ cards in one year

• Vintage vs modern cards as an investment

• Collecting with passion vs ROI

• Predictions for the hobby in 2026
  
  

Whether you’re a longtime collector, new to the hobby, or building a brand in the space, this episode sets the tone for where collecting is headed next.

Links & Resources

• Download the LUDX app (iOS & Android)

• Be on the lookout for Collector Nation Website!

In this episode of Trading Cards & Collectibles, Ryan Alford is joined by Gordy Bonkers to break down why vintage sports cards are increasingly being viewed as a serious alternative asset class.

Gordy explains what separates true investment-grade vintage cards from modern products, why scarcity and historical significance matter more than hype, and how high-end vintage continues to attract long-term collectors and sophisticated investors. The conversation covers iconic players like Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Ken Griffey Jr., and why their cards still anchor value in today’s market.

Ryan and Gordy also dive into grading realities, population reports, PSA 8s vs. 9s, and why gem mint vintage cards rarely change hands. They discuss speculation, gambling-driven behavior in the hobby, the rise of live selling as media, and what newer collectors should understand before entering the vintage market.

Whether you’re actively buying vintage, transitioning from modern, or just trying to understand where the hobby is headed, this episode delivers clear, practical insight without the noise.

Topics Covered

• Why vintage sports cards are gaining investor attention
• What drives long-term value in vintage cards
• PSA grades, scarcity, and population reports
• Vintage vs modern card market dynamics
• Entry points for collectors new to vintage
• Gambling, speculation, and market psychology
• Live selling and content-driven commerce
• The future of high-end sports cards

About the Guest

Gordy Bonkers is a well-known voice in the sports card hobby, focusing on vintage education, market structure, and long-term collecting discipline. He hosts The Gordy Bonker Show on Sports Cards Nonsense and publishes a popular Substack newsletter covering the hobby.

SUMMARY

In this episode of the "Trading Cards and Collectibles Podcast" on the Radcast Network, hosts Ryan Alford and Brian Ludden discuss how recent sports performances and injuries are impacting trading card values. They share success stories, analyze market trends, and examine the implications of PSA acquiring Beckett Grading Services. The conversation highlights investment strategies, the evolving grading industry, and the importance of brand value, while also inviting listeners to engage with the community and explore the Ludx app for managing collections.

TAKEAWAYS

• Impact of recent sports events on trading card values
• Notable player performances and their influence on collector interest
• Investment success stories within the trading card hobby
• Analysis of specific player card price fluctuations (e.g., Trevor Lawrence, Josh Allen, Bo Nix)
• Discussion on the volatility of card values due to player injuries
• Business implications of PSA's acquisition of Beckett Grading Services
• The evolving grading industry and its effects on collectors
• Importance of brand value and legacy in the grading market
• Challenges of maintaining brand identity during operational scaling
• Community engagement and promotion of tools for managing collections

SUMMARY

In this episode of the "Trading Cards and Collectibles" podcast, host Ryan Alford announces the upcoming opening of Collector Station, a new destination hobby store in Easley, South Carolina. Ryan details the store’s unique “retail tainment” concept, featuring a pack bar, drive-through pack pickup, consignment area, live selling, and community events like trade nights. He discusses hands-on store development, industry trends, and the growing mainstream appeal of collectibles, emphasizing Collector Station’s role as a community hub for collectors to connect, trade, and enjoy the hobby together.

TAKEAWAYS

• Development and vision of the new physical store, Collector Station, in Easley, South Carolina.
• Concept of "retail tainment" blending retail, entertainment, and media.
• Unique features of Collector Station, including a pack bar and drive-through pack pickup.
• Community-focused events such as trade nights and live selling opportunities.
• Integration of technology for card valuation and streamlined buying/selling/trading.
• Consignment area for local collectors to buy, sell, and trade.
• Broader trends in the trading card and collectibles industry, including mainstream appeal.
• Role of major companies like Topps and Fanatics in shaping the market.
• Emphasis on community engagement and personal connections within the hobby.
• Future outlook on the collectibles industry and its cultural significance.