TCG Market Index Up 8% in January: Pokemon Vintage Leads Recovery
Base Set holos and WOTC-era sealed product lead a broad market recovery after six months of consolidation. Analysts call the rally "healthier" than 2021.
The broader trading card market posted an 8% gain in January 2026 according to the TCG Market Composite Index, ending a six-month period of consolidation. Pokemon vintage cards drove most of the upside, with Base Set holos and early WOTC-era sealed product seeing renewed demand.
The recovery comes after a difficult 2025 that saw peak-pandemic valuations correct by 20-40% across most categories. Industry analysts describe the current rally as "healthier" than the speculative mania of 2021, driven primarily by collector demand rather than pure investment speculation.
Modern Pokemon cards showed mixed performance. Singles from recent competitive sets held steady, while bulk and mid-tier cards continued to drift lower. The market increasingly bifurcates between high-end collectibles — which act as alternative assets — and gameplay cards priced by tournament demand.
Magic: The Gathering reserved list cards also posted gains, with dual lands appreciating 5-7% on average. Yu-Gi-Oh and One Piece markets were roughly flat.
