PSA to Reopen Value Grading Tier for Collectors
The company will resume its lowest-priced service tier globally starting October 29.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Collecting
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Professional Sports Authenticator is set to reopen its Value service tier on October 29, 2026, following a suspension initiated in June. The service, priced at $39.99 per card, returns as the company works to manage a 7.2 million card backlog.
Why it matters
The return of the Value tier aims to balance consumer demand with operational capacity after a period of overwhelming submission volume. By managing pricing and tier structures, the company seeks to stabilize its workflow while continuing to address its massive backlog.
The Value tier is priced at $39.99 per card, with other tiers set at $59.99 for Standard and $79.99 for Priority. Professional Sports Authenticator graded 2.47 million cards in September 2026, supported by a $200 million investment in technology and infrastructure.
The players
Professional Sports Authenticator
This company is a leading provider of authentication and grading services for trading cards and collectibles.
The details
Professional Sports Authenticator has implemented infrastructure improvements and opened a new grading facility in Frankfurt to increase output. These steps have helped boost weekly grading capacity by 46 percent in 2026, marking a 150 percent increase in pace compared to the 2020-2025 period.
Timeline
May 2026: Collectors invested $200 million into Professional Sports Authenticator.
June 2026: The company halted all Value service tiers.
September 2026: A new European grading facility opened in Frankfurt.
October 28, 2026: The reopening of the Value tier was announced.
October 29, 2026: The Value service tier reopens globally.
Culture Shift
This move reflects the ongoing adjustment in the high-stakes collectibles market as it transitions from speculative pandemic-era growth to a more sustainable operational model. The industry is currently shifting toward modernized global infrastructure to meet long-term collector demand.
Collectors can now resume submitting cards at the $39.99 price point, though they should anticipate estimated turnaround times of 90 to 100 business days. New submissions will be processed following the current backlog of 7.2 million cards.
The takeaway
Collectors should carefully weigh the 90 to 100 business day turnaround time against the costs of higher-priority tiers before submitting new items. Managing expectations regarding processing times remains essential given the company's current multi-million card backlog.
What happens next
Professional Sports Authenticator expects to reduce its total backlog to five million cards by the end of 2026, with plans to reopen the Value Bulk service tier at a future date.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving market for cards in our Collecting section.
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