We kick off 2026 with Leighton Sheldon and Paul Hickey, and we go straight into the real stuff collectors are feeling right now: the hobby is bigger than ever, the content and event volume is getting overwhelming, and card shows are evolving fast. We dig into the Strongsville changes, the “curtain” concept, the rise of niche shows, and the growing tension around sports and TCG sharing the same floor space. Paul also shares early market observations that are starting to feel a little like 2021, and we talk through what it means if more new people keep entering the hobby.

In this episode:

• 2025 hobby takeaways and why 2026 is almost guaranteed to surprise us

• The “too much intake” problem: content, auctions, card shows, and burnout risk

• Strongsville’s shift and the big question: can the hobby support another vintage only show?

• Where would a new vintage show even fit on the calendar?

• Sports vs TCG at shows: when “just walk past it” stops being realistic

• Why niche events and niche businesses keep winning

• Paul’s early pricing notes and what they might signal about demand

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