Clemente’s Corner: 3 Things Hockey Collectors Can Expect in 2026
I don’t have a crystal ball, but all indications are that this will once again be a big year for trading cards and collectables.
In a year where you have NHL stars competing at the Winter Olympics, Upper Deck pumping out new sets and some big shows filling our days and nights, the year is likely to be one of the most interesting and potentially impactful 12 months for hockey card collectors. Whether your focus is on Young Guns, international stars or show exclusives, this is a year worth planning for.
Here are three things to watch for this year.
NHL Players at the Winter Olympics
For collectors, the backbone of the year is the remainder of the 2025-26 NHL season. This season, however, is especially important because it includes an Olympic break — something that hasn’t happened since NHL players last participated in the Winter Games in 2014. It comes off the success last year of the 4 Nations Face-Off, proving there is an appetite for international competition.
From a card perspective, this season supplies the bulk of the rookie class that will appear in flagship products like Upper Deck Series 1 and Series 2, O-Pee-Chee, Allure and The Cup. Any rookie who establishes themselves in the coming months will likely see strong hobby momentum through the first half of 2026, especially once Series 2 comes out in the spring.
The pause for the Milano-Cortina Games, which will run from Feb. 6-22, may also influence card values in subtle ways. With no NHL games during that stretch, attention shifts heavily to international play, which can temporarily boost interest in players representing their nation on the world stage. The U.S. will feature Auston Matthews, the Tkachuk brothers – Brady and Matthew – and Matt Boldy. Canada, meanwhile, has a star-studded roster with Connor McDavid and six players with a Stanley Cup on their resume: Sidney Crosby, Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, Anthony Cirelli, Brayden Point and Mark Stone.
Historically, Olympic success can elevate interest in established stars rather than create brand-new collectibles. A gold-medal performance by a top NHL player can renew interest in their years-old rookie cards and autographs. Collectors may also gravitate toward national-team-themed cards, including past international releases of USA Hockey or Team Canada products.
New Hockey Card Releases
Collectors will once again see a steady stream of products, followed later in the year by the start of 2026–27 releases, which usually starts in late summer with MVP, followed by Upper Deck Series 1.
I’m looking forward to UD Series 2 (with a March 11 release date) and its expanded Young Guns checklist. I also like to buy O-Pee-Chee and O-Pee-Chee Platinum, popular for rainbow chases.
I’m not a big fan of Allure and its colorful parallels, but it’s a thing collectors do enjoy. Then there’s The Cup. The super high-end release has gotten pricier over the years, but RPAs of top rookies still command top dollar for anyone who pulls them.
Another thing I’m looking forward to are the various Centennial sets, specifically the New York Rangers set scheduled for March. And don’t forget PWHL cards, arguably among the best releases of 2025.
Major Sports Card Shows
Hockey fans could test their shooting accuracy at Fanatics Fest 2025. [Photo by Clemente Lisi]Card shows remain a major pillar of the hobby – and that won’t change in 2026, especially as collectors look for in-person experiences that go beyond online breaks.
The centerpiece event is the National Sports Collectors Convention, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 2. For hockey collectors, the National offers access to rare singles, vintage and autograph signers. We can all hope there will be more of all three this summer.
If not, there’s the Sport Card Expo in Toronto (one in the spring and fall) and across other locations in Canada. If you’ve never been to the Toronto Expo, make it your resolution to attend this year. I’ve been to both the spring and fall editions in recent years and definitely want to return in 2026.
Lastly, there’s the expanded Fanatics Fest in New York City, set for July 16-19. The NHL has activations and exhibits and the show’s third year is expected to once again give collectors plenty of hockey to buy and experience.
Whether you’re chasing the next big rookie, revisiting established stars or simply enjoying the hobby at shows, 2026 will offer up something for every collector out there.
Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on X/Twitter @ClementeLisi.
Clemente Lisi is a lifelong Rangers fan who first started collecting cards in 1986. He collects both vintage and modern with a focus on rookie cards. Follow him on Twitter @ClementeLisi.
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