The year in collectibles: Have repacks had a positive impact?

As we flip the calendar to 2026, cllct is assessing the current state of the hobby.

We've assembled a panel of the top experts in the industry to recap some of the biggest trends of the past 12 months — both the good and the troubling.

Plus, we've looked into our crystal ball to try to forecast what lies ahead in 2026.

In the eighth installment of our two-week series, we look at the phenomenon of repacks and the massive impact they've had on the hobby.

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(Answers have been lightly edited for brevity and clarity. Questions were distributed before Collectors' acquisition of Beckett on Dec. 15.)

How have repacks impacted the hobby? Do you think they are a net positive?

David Hunt, president, Hunt Auctions:

While repacks are not part of our current business model, I do understand the impact. The chance-related portion of this industry cannot be ignored. Although it has been around for a very long time, it has grown to be a major portion of the industry.

If handled properly, and provided it does not supplant or replace other portions of the industry, I think it can be a net positive driver of overall growth.

Andy Broome, vice president, CGC Cards:

Repacks had one of the biggest impacts on the hobby in 2025. I think they can be a net positive, but this is an area where transparency is important. No different than your preferred grading company, trust and reputation are everything.

Elizabeth Gruene, GM of pop culture, PSA:

I understand the draw of repacks and the thrill of trying to get a chase card. In many ways this is a more fun and accessible way to get grails, especially with digital repacks, which make it super easy.

So long as there is transparency and trust, it is a positive thing and a new way for people to enter the hobby and collect different categories.

Adam Ireland, VP and general manager of global collectibles, eBay:

Repacks have introduced a new kind of entertainment into the hobby by tapping into the excitement of discovery and the social side of collecting. We’re seeing real demand for formats such as Arena Club’s weekly Slab Pack drops on eBay, which shows there’s an audience for it.

As the hobby evolves through formats such as breaks and live shopping, our role at eBay is to make sure these experiences are transparent and trusted for collectors.

Chris Ivy, director of sports auctions, Heritage Auctions:

While repacks are not something that directly impacts the type of auction business Heritage finds itself in, it is abundantly clear this business has tapped into the same kind of excitement that appeals to those who enjoy breaking current products in hopes of landing a “chase” card.

It’s the mystery of not knowing what might lurk inside that intrigues people, and it’s hard to imagine that part of human nature changing anytime soon. This, of course, assumes buyers of those products experience enough success to keep coming back for more.

Jason Masherah, president, Upper Deck:

Repacks tend to highlight a segment of the hobby that is more focused on chasing value than truly enjoying the collecting experience.

No matter whether you are buying a repack or a hobby box, you are taking a chance on what you might find inside. However, repacks also further the distance from the core aspects of collecting that translate to long-term passion for the hobby.

The opportunity to learn about new players or characters and potentially find a card that is meaningful beyond money are the things that repacks diminish.

I also believe there is too much gambling when it comes to online repacking services, when the collector is immediately offered cash for the card they just opened. There is clearly a market that is hungry for repacks, but I don’t believe it is the core hobby community that collects for more than just the one big chase.

Evan Parker, founder, Mantel:

There are 1,000 ways to collect, and for some people, the repack hits the right spot. I like how it creates liquidity for collectors in a way that we haven't seen before, and I like the gamification/innovation from the repack apps such as Arena Club, Courtyard and Tradible.

We need to make sure there is transparency with regard to odds and checklists, and there is industry support for people with a gambling addiction, because let's face it, repacks toe the line.

**Matt Quinn, vice president, CGC Cards: **

Repacks are a great way to get the excitement of opening a traditional booster pack, but with the possibility of pulling something that has been out of print for decades.

Certified repacks with full transparency have been the new trend, and larger companies can put their reputation behind them to help ensure confidence in the product.

Nat Turner, CEO, Collectors:

I think overall very positive. For two reasons. First, I think unfortunately there is a growing concern that when you open a new box of cards from a new release, the “expected value” you get from that new box can be quite low, or maybe they start high but then the values fade as the next new release comes out. However, the expected values of a lot of these repacks (not all) are designed to be much higher.

And second, many collectors really want a broader set of chase cards to pull, whereas a new box of cards only has cards from that one set and year.

For example, I might want to pull a Patrick Mahomes rookie card for whatever reason. There might not be a single card shop in America right now that I could drive to or a live break on my phone that I could join to be able to buy an unopened pack of a 2017 Panini football product to scratch that itch. But there certainly are many football repacks I could join to chase that Mahomes rookie just like opening a pack.

And maybe I don’t pull that Mahomes rookie card, but I pull a Josh Allen, or a Steve Young rookie card, etc.

Oh, and by the way the cards are already graded in most cases, so I don’t have to figure out the condition of the card, too. I think that’s a net positive, as it opens up a whole new world of merchandising cards and making it fun.