Could Cheaper Grading Return Before Christmas?

Millions of cards, frustrated collectors, and a grading giant finally catching up!

PSA has been buried under mountains of trading cards, but there’s finally some good news for collectors and resellers. The grading giant just knocked another 1 million cards off its backlog in only two weeks!

After reaching a whopping 12.4 million cards in July, PSA’s backlog has dropped to just 7.2 million as of October 20. That’s nearly a 42% reduction from its summer peak!

Millions of cards awaiting processing, July–October 2026

Sources: PSA backlog updates and Sports Collectors Daily.

So, When Will Cheaper Grading Return?

That’s the million-dollar question!

PSA temporarily suspended its popular Value grading services back in June after submissions exploded. The company wanted to bring its backlog down to approximately 5 million cards before reopening those cheaper options.

Now, with only 2.2 million cards separating PSA from that goal, late November is looking like a possibility if the current pace continues.

But don’t start packing those cards just yet! PSA hasn’t officially announced a reopening date.

What About Grading Prices?

PSA introduced a new Standard service in September, priced at $59.99 per card with an estimated 90–100 business-day turnaround.

That’s an option, but for collectors grading $10, $20, or even $50 cards, the math still isn’t very attractive.

Cheaper Value and Bulk grading options could make a major difference for everyday collectors trying to flip cards without sacrificing their profits to grading fees.

What Does This Mean for the Card Market?

Here’s where things get interesting.

If PSA reopens its lower-cost services, we could see another wave of sports cards, Pokémon cards, and other collectibles heading to grading facilities.

That’s potentially good news for collectors, but it could also create more competition for resellers.

More graded cards hitting the market means increased supply. And when supply grows faster than demand, prices can take a hit, especially on common modern cards.

A PSA 10 can bring a premium, but that doesn’t mean every card deserves to be graded!

BuckBully’s Take: Buy Smart, Grade Smarter!

PSA’s progress is encouraging, especially heading into the holiday season. But collectors shouldn’t confuse a smaller backlog with guaranteed faster service or higher resale values.

Before sending off your next stack of cards, check recent sold listings, population reports, grading fees, and the potential difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how many cards you grade. It’s about how much value you’re creating!

Be Bullish On What You Hold.

Follow the latest numbers on the official PSA Backlog Tracker.