Over the past few weeks, I’ve been making predictions (both real and silly) about where I think the hobby will be headed in 2026. This is very interesting.
This week, though, I’m putting away my crystal ball and looking inward. These are my personal resolutions for 2026. Less predictions, but things I want to accomplish and achieve. Or at least wait until Quit Day – usually the second Friday in January; 9 days in total.
advertise
Sick.
Credit: Dice Breakers
I want to go in 2026 I really like One Piece. What is One Piece? Man, I really don’t know. But I want to get in! Apparently, so does Mr. Beast.
After his tweet (actually, even before…), the One Piece TCG market boomed. Just in the past seven days, according to ALT data, the five most popular “players” in the card market were Cooper Flagg, Caleb Williams and three characters from “One Piece”.
I know you’re reading this and thinking, “Man, you’re late.” What, the guy who bought the Alyssa Lau car and the Burger King Advent calendar wants to get into a booming industry he knows nothing about? Weird.
advertise
I’m sure the “advice” to start buying Prosperity is terrible, but that’s my vulnerability and wanting less investment and more understanding. The art looks really cool! I want to know everything about it.
I want to go in 2026 Shop for absolutely zero packs of Topps NBA cards. I won’t promise not to buy it singles But I’m not going to spend $80 on a box of products that will outprint the Bible. They were overpriced, overproduced, and I had had enough – and was naive about it.
I want to go in 2026 Stop buying Leaf x SI Kids cards. Sorry, Ye. I’m a big advocate of these, but over the past few weeks their release has become so lazy. what a shame.
Image source: Topps.com
advertise
I want to go in 2026 Also ditched the Topps Now card – at least when it comes to car chases and hits. This is a lost cause. I’ve been critical of the Topps now in the past — when they release a card because a random player has two steals, or when they release a card every time Cooper Flagg drives the ball. Too many. Hang these impossible “hits” beatall these ridiculous releases are annoying.
Shout out to the guys at Topps Now Cards. I love his commitment to it.
I want to go in 2026 Try to treat all rating companies equally. I know you’ve seen me tip my hat to SGC and other random places like TAG and even Arena Club for using technology to actually score their cards – which in my opinion is a better process than the “standard traditional” process.
Arena Club: Hey, we’ll score your card within 15 business days using our state-of-the-art, fully transparent technology every card Our scores only cost you $10.
advertise
PSA: Oh hey, we’ll be grading your card sometime in the next 6 months, the price will be determined later, and we won’t be transparent about anything.
Us: The first one sounds great, but, someone on Instagram said no, I should do the second one… “just because”.
I know the market is the market and we are stubborn about it, but I will do whatever I can to help change hearts and minds. PSA is just the flag bearer because we accept it. This is crazy to me.
Image source: Parkside Collectibles
I want to go in 2026 Go the extra mile and continue investing in women’s sports trading cards. WNBA, PWHL, NWSL, etc. These alliances have come a long way and honestly, if you want collect Then consider that too. The market is less volatile (except Caitlin Clark) so you can actually focus on collect.
advertise
What a concept!
I want to go in 2026 Buy vintage magazines and get a better understanding of the market. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; printing is dead. Great! Remember when we wiped out the penny and everyone was frantically trying to buy Topps Now (yikes!) cards in hopes of getting a penny insert? Bring that energy into print.
The same goes for vintage photography.
I want to go in 2026 Let’s talk less about fast food collectibles. Not completely removing them from my newsletter, but just stepping back a bit. Hey, it’s better for my cholesterol.
I want to go in 2026 Attend more card shows and focus on continuing to build community in the hobby. I mean, isn’t that what it’s all about?
advertise
Hey, we’ve (basically) made it through 2025, and it’s been a wild ride. Shout out to the readers who have been supporting me, the readers who have written and shared their stories, and the Mantel staff who have built an incredible community. See you all next year!
