Global Card Collectors

James  @MadCityCollector  recently launched his podcast, The Soccer Card Collective, a phenomenal survey of the soccer card world and a deep dive into what it means to be an “omniscient collector,” borrowing the phrase from Chris Hoj. In this episode, he and John @istanbulcards discuss 2017 Topps Chrome and 2018 Prizm Landmarks, two iconic sets from what many consider the golden era of global soccer cards. Please come up with ten potentially viral titles for this episode

In this episode, Will sits down with Global Card Collectors regular guest and Pokémon market expert Kieran @shinykiwitcg to break down everything happening in the Pokémon TCG world right now.They cover:• What they’ve both been up to recently• New personal purchases and sales• The current state of the Pokémon market — which continues to surge• Upcoming sets including Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising (Greninja), and the highly anticipated Darkrai/Rayquaza set• The approaching 30th Anniversary and why it could send the hobby into overdrive• Ongoing supply issues and the continued lack of booster box reprints• PSA price increases, the Beckett acquisition, and wider grading industry shakeups• The Logan Paul Illustrator Pikachu sale• Growing investor interest and the Liquid Marketplace controversy• Their past predictions — including why they expected a slowdown six months ago• Where they believe the market is heading next• Practical advice for collectors navigating an increasingly competitive and expensive landscapeSix months ago, they thought the bubble might burst. Instead, the market has gone from strength to strength - and with the 30th Anniversary on the horizon, things may only get even more intense.

Will sits down with John again for a brand new episode of Global Card Collectors, and this one is a must-listen for serious hobby heads.The conversation centers around John’s three-year odyssey to acquire his ultimate grail card: the 2015 National Treasures International Treasures Nikola Jokić rookie, numbered to just /85. Ultra-rare, on-card auto, and far from cheap — this is the kind of card that defines an entire collection.From there, Will and John naturally segue into a deep dive on why International Treasures is one of the most underrated sets in the hobby. Incredible photography, massive flag imagery, true limited print runs, and a literal who’s who of international basketball players across eras — all capped off with on-card autographs.John breaks down the International Treasures players he’s already collected, from Giannis Antetokounmpo to Andrei Kirilenko, and shares the key cards he’s still chasing, including Rony Seikaly and Luka Dončić.This is a fun, detailed episode that will especially resonate with card fanatics who love to nerd out over niche sets, grail cards, and thoughtfully built collections.

The PCTR Winter Card Festival in Kozyatağa, Istanbul ended up being one of the most encouraging card shows we’ve attended in Turkey.Going in, expectations were low. The event leaned heavily toward Pokémon and One Piece, and as sports card vendors, we weren’t sure what to expect. What we found instead was real interest, real conversations, and a growing group of collectors who genuinely care about sports cards.In this video, Will sits down with his good friend Berk to review the show from a vendor’s perspective - what went right, what surprised us, and why this event felt like a positive signal for collecting in Turkey.We also talk honestly about the challenges the Turkish card market still faces:- Limited access to product- Price gouging- Heavy and often frustrating taxesBut most importantly, we talk about the people we met — new collectors, passionate hobbyists, and moments that made the day feel bigger than just buying and selling cards.This isn’t hype. It’s just us taking a minute to think about where the hobby in Turkey stands right now - and where it might be going.If you collect, sell, or are just curious about the card scene in Turkey, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will and John break down one of the biggest moments in Will’s collecting journey: finally landing a Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie autograph with his early, full signature after more than a year of chasing it.They walk through the entire process behind the acquisition, from missed bids and dead ends to offers, counteroffers, and ultimately getting the deal done. From there, the conversation opens up into a broader discussion about how collecting changes over time, moving away from impulse buys and toward patience, intention, and having a clear sense of direction.The episode also dives into one of John’s favorite insert sets, International Treasures, and what makes it resonate with collectors. With its focus on international players and a design that centers on flags, the set stands out as something for collectors who value rarity, context, and storytelling within the hobby, they're also perfect for global citizens.It’s a relaxed, in-depth conversation between friends who know the hobby well and enjoy unpacking the why behind the chase.

In this episode, of Global Card Collectors Will sits down with Kaan, the organizer of PCTR Winter Card Fest, an upcoming trading card event taking place in Istanbul on February 1, 2026The interview starts with Kaan’s personal card collecting origin story—from collecting as a kid, to a life-changing trip to Japan where he opened a pack of Chilling Reign and pulled a chase card that reignited his passion for Pokémon cards.From there, we dive deep into what it really takes to organize a large-scale card show. Kaan opens up about the challenges, stress, and risks involved, and why he believes the effort will be worth it once collectors come together under one roof.We also talk about the explosive growth of the card market in Turkey:-Physical TCG stores growing from just 2–3 to nearly 10 in only two years-Online card shops jumping from 1–2 to over 30-How events like the Istanbul Card Show helped create a real collector community-Why PCTR Winter Card Fest is another important step for the sceneFinally, we share our personal thoughts on the Pokémon card market and sealed products—not investment advice, just honest opinions on what we’re buying and why.Will PCTR Winter Card Fest be a success? Time will tell—but the passion and effort are clearly there. So if you’re into Pokémon cards, TCG events, or the global growth of the hobby, this one’s for you.

This week, John (@istanbulcards) is joined by Conor Sen, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist who loves sports cards like the rest of us, but also brings a sharp understanding of the macroeconomic forces shaping the hobby. Conor discusses how broader economic trends dovetail with the sports card market, reflects on his childhood and young-adult sporting heroes, and shares how he’s thoughtfully re-entering the hobby in recent years alongside his kids.

In this episode of Global Card Collectors, Will, John, and Justin come together to share their Top 5 card pick ups from 2025 which is wide-ranging and engaging collection of cards that spans over 100 years of trading card history.

They showcase an impressively diverse lineup, featuring everything from vintage boxing and vintage football to ultra-modern cards. Across all three Top 5 lists, a few themes quickly emerge:🔥 Patches on every list✍️ Plenty of autographs💎 Significant rarity❤️ Strong personal connections to the cards

Whether the focus is football, boxing, basketball, vintage classics, or modern releases, this episode highlights what makes collecting special — the stories behind the cards, the shared passion, and the connections built through the hobby.

In this episode Will and John sit down to catch up after The Card Clan Trade Day, their final event of the year. While it may not have been the biggest show on the calendar, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable. As vendors, they had the chance to slow down, reconnect with familiar faces, and spend real time talking about collecting, sports, and the hobby with regulars who make days like this worthwhile.From there, the conversation shifts back to what they’re most excited about in collecting right now: consolidation. Selling bulk and lower-end cards to focus on fewer, higher-end pieces—especially rare cards of players they view as true GOATs. Will dives into his ongoing Giannis rookie auto chase, debating whether now is the time to finally pull the trigger with Giannis’ market sitting near historic lows. John shares his own near-miss story with a Luka Dončić International Treasures, including how close he came to landing a version numbered to just /10.They wrap things up with a discussion on the current state of grading, where it stands today, and how it’s impacting collectors and the hobby moving forward.As always, it’s a laid-back but thoughtful conversation about collecting with intention, enjoying the process, and navigating the hobby as it continues to evolve.

Dive into the world of Spanish sports cards with this special episode featuring Jon @eurofractor a passionate collector, historian, and expert on Spain’s unique place in the hobby. We break down his latest grail pickup (a stunning Sergio Rodríguez card), explore how Spanish collectors approach basketball vs. football, and dig into why teen star Hugo González is generating major buzz among NBA-focused collectors in Spain.

Jon also walks us through the country’s card-collecting culture: the biggest shows, the rise of modern basketball collecting, how Spain’s legendary players are valued in the hobby, and what makes the Spanish market different from the U.S. scene.

Whether you're into European basketball, international markets, or just love hearing collectors talk about their passion, this episode is packed with insight, stories, and hobby wisdom.