The Hobby Wire🏅

Sports card news, analysis & product reviews | Helping collectors stay ahead.

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

We've got a proper address now. The Hobby Wire lives at https://t.co/QCHONa7kFk. Old links still work, nothing changes on your end.

Back to your regularly scheduled hobby coverage.

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

In light of the confirmation that a hobby box of Allen & Ginter has 24 packs, we’ve updated our Wax Watch & Value Index accordingly.

#thehobby #allenandginter

https://t.co/OfLBjdoymD

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

2026 Allen & Ginter is out now!

Confirmed 24 packs per hobby from Dave & Adams product photos.

We’ll be updating the Wax Value Index later today along with any changes in value across the formats.

Stay tuned!
#sportscards #thehobby @CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

@EarningsSeasons Absolutely wild. The increases aren't even incremental anymore.

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Full Allen & Ginter breakdown on our Stubstack
https://t.co/JfnUUkNbPm

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

After dissecting the odds of Allen & Ginter, these look like the formats to go after if you're hunting specific cards.

Base Chrome - Hobby
Stained Glass Minis - Fat Pack
Daguerreotype Variations - Value
Rip Cards - Hobby
Mini Autos - Hobby
Relic Autos - Fat Pack
Cut Signatures - Hobby & Fat Pack

#thehobby @CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

2026-27 Topps Flagship Basketball Preorders are Live
Hobby - $169.99
Jumbo - $339.99
Mega Box - $59.99
Value Box - $29.99

Feels like we're getting closer to a tipping point with these prices. With Flagship Hobby Boxes inching closer to $200 a box, people might actually start to turn away.

#sportscards #thehobby

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

@WaxMetrix This class is either going to be on par with or slightly better than last year. The top four could all be franchise altering talents.

Caleb Wilson in particular might even be considered a steal at 4th.

It's going to be a year worth collecting.

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Allen & Ginter gets a mixed reception every year.

For some, it's their favorite set on the calendar. Others can't stand the amount of non-sport jammed into it.

We're firmly in the latter camp.

But can a rookie class this good change our minds?
#sportscards #AllenandGinter
@Ca@CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Has Allen & Ginter really been cut to 18 packs per Hobby Box?

Blowout, Steel City, and Dave & Adams all list 2026 Allen & Ginter Baseball as having 24 Packs like last year. But the info direct from Topps shows 18.
Gotta assume the Topps number is correct, but it's surprising to see them cut a quarter of the packs just like that.
#thehobby #sportscards @CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Check out our full October State of the Hobby at https://t.co/QCHONa7SuS

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

The last 30 days were loaded with sports card news.

An $8 million Cooper Flagg sale
PCA solidifying his case for MVP
A Justin Herbert selloff as the Chargers go 0-3

What do you think was the biggest story to come out of September?

#thehobby @CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Full odds breakdown on our Substack

https://t.co/wIEnEaNLGC

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Bowman Football has been out for 24 hours and these look like the best formats to pull what everyone is chasing.

Paper Parallels — Value
Chrome Parallels — Value
FireFractors — Mega
Red RC Variations — Mega & Value
SSP Inserts — Mega
Chrome Autos — Hobby & Jumbo
Dual Autos — Jumbo

Any luck with your rips?
#thehobby @CardPurchaser

[Topps @Topps]

BREAKING: Arch Manning's 1-of-1 Superfractor surfaced on Bowman Football release day.

The autograph variation is still out there 👀

(📸 thecardshack1/IG)

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

@OffDaHook35 Not right away. Might be a short term dip, but the hobby usually gives players the benefit of the doubt.

They'll certainly remember it though. If it happens again, there could be a downturn.

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Check out our full deep dive on our Substack

https://t.co/ArbCD7jkOu

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Since we got back into this hobby, we keep hearing the same "fact" about grading.

A PSA 10 can double, or even triple, your card's raw value.

So we put it to the test. Comped 100 different cards of different types and different eras.

It's not as simple as people are making it sound.
#thehobbywire #sportscards

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Full breakdown on our Substack
https://t.co/acakc0XpbS

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

2026 Bowman Football drops tomorrow.
We're torn on this one. The '26 rookie class is weak but the prospects look great.

Might pickup a couple blasters for fun. What formats are you looking at?

#thehobby #bowman @CardPurchaser

[The Hobby Wire🏅 @TheHobbyWire]

Bowman's back in the NFL tomorrow for the first time since 2016. And it's bringing the college kids with it.

We cover the players you want to collect, the cards you want to chase, and what each format has to offer in today’s Wax Watch.

Check it out!
https://t.co/fri4Lio8I2

#bowmanfootball #sportscards