What are your 2026 collecting goals?

[Silphnaut]

I have a few goals for the next year:

1. Get one of each Mega Era PC ETB to make a display on a wall
2. Grab a Japanese, English, and Eng Reverse (Japanese reverse instead if available but not each type of Japanese reverse in high class sets just the cheapest one) of each normal art I like per set (very few cards per set as I am picky) and fill 9 pocket binder pages that way
3. Complete Phantasmal Flames in English since it is tiny. Base master set with promos that come in products (no store stamp or repeat art with new stamp bs)
4. Continue slowly working on my BB/WF Japanese AR/SAR/BWR set

[bbobrob]

@lyleberr

4: Collect 1M+ cards of assorted bulk

Maybe going for a Guiness World Record?

Also, what are the Kanto Starter Collections?

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I haven’t quite thought about what exactly the next steps are for my collection post finishing my major collection goals (likely) this year. I definitely need to take a step back to organize things, both TCG and non-TCG, as a lot of items are just sitting in piles right now. I think my goals would look something like this:

1. If I haven’t finished the reverse holo Expedition set this year (one card away), finish that.

2. Organize cards/collections and get things into binders rather than piles and boxes.

3. I have at least two non-TCG resource articles in my mind that I’d like to post next year. Both of them shouldn’t be too difficult to do; I just need to set time aside to scan and compile things (e.g. images). Also, possibly update the Topsun/Top VS card article.

4. I still want to trade stuff with people. I haven’t done of a lot of it this year, but I’ve been saving some non-TCG stuff in the back to see if any species collectors might be interested in them. Hopefully those will help spur some trades when I reach out.

5. Probably make some progress on some side collections (e.g. Chinchou/Lanturn species collections, Sachiko Adachi artist collection, etc.), but I’m not too concerned about adhering to any % completion or anything. Things will just progress at their own pace.

6. Try to go to the Worlds E4 meetup this year, as Worlds is basically taking place where I live. Not entirely sure if I want to go to Worlds itself, but this is probably the one opportunity that would require the least effort by me, so I am considering it. I generally don’t like traveling all that much and am not a fan of heavily attended events (or social events in general). I’m in California but never even considered going to Worlds this year, even though it was in Anaheim (not that I would have been able to make it anyway).

I always have a lot of things I’d like to do but just never have time to do them. I think this list of things is pretty reasonable to expect to achieve (and is vague enough, anyway).

[Josh]

• Begin collecting languages by learning Spanish to a moderately competent conversational level, already started.
• Collect more longevity and aesthetic points by getting leaner by losing 8kg bodyweight, 3 down 5 to go.
• Collect a better motorbike by upgrading to an adventure/sport tourer.
• Collect more bitcoin and sealed pokemon product if we re-enter normal market conditions.
• Collect more self-respect points by starting boxing and judo, and increasing the frequency of lifting and explosive cardio workouts.

[Silphnaut]

Fellow Californian here - Sac County (area not jail )

For your number 6, you should absolutely go to the E4 meet-up if you are willing and able.

As someone who joined the site last year I was a little nervous as I felt like a noob in the collector space compared to a lot of the people who went from here (and rightfully so in my opinion) everyone was so relaxedand friendly whether there were more introverted folks just observing or more extroverted ones making rounds, mingling, and doing various activities. I did the the former and latter.

The passion for the actual hobby and franchise was infectious, yet it felt cozy, never had that feeling hitting local card shows or card shops (I am only a casual/once in a while customer at 2 of mine so that is why).

I was also stoked to be in the same room with the dudes who run Pokebeach (waterpokemonmaster) , Pokumon (Humanforscale) , and Art of Pkmn (Kev) and talk to all of them.

People also had their collection binders and slabs on display for others to browse so that was a gallery in itself.

I would also highly recommend going to Worlds for at least 1 day, if you can get a ticket and are able to put up with the crowds. Full disclosure, I am an ambivert but definitely heavy on the extrovert side.

I had a weekend pass, and picked one up for my little brother from a competitor. It felt nice being amongst so many people who share similar interests in Pokémon whatever part of it they may be into. There was plenty to do and see.

I was, to my surprise, really excited to watch the tcg and vgc matches on the screens and finally understood why people who like watching sports are so into it.

My favorite part had to be the live artist interviews (shocked not too many people went to it), and BB/WF tcg art gallery.

From my Anaheim experience there were a bunch of people but they were friendly and mostly kept to themselves/their groups. A lot of people talked to me but it’s because I always make eye contact with anyone passing by, which really annoyed my little bro (very introverted and quiet dude)

Trading area was a little chaotic and the store was the most chaotic but even then it was managed well by the organizers/staff and people did not act like animals or push/shove.

With so many people it was noisy, although having been to 3 Aftershocks in a row a few years back, the noise was minimal in comparison.

[hian_43]

My goals for 2026 are pretty simple.

1. Complete my Battle Styles Master Set (2 Cards!).

2. Pick up one or two Gym Challenge holos.

Other than that I’m hoping 2026 is a better year for finding deals on eBay, large lots in 2025 always seemed to go for around market price of the singles.

[dromanyte]

In 2026, my goals are almost the same as the previous years:

• Dark Magician Girl collection: Currently 111/1400 (7.93%) … (almost) all variants in all languages … involves alternate forms (The Dragon Knight, Toon, etc) + cameos (Dark Burning Magic, Dark Burning Attack, etc) … This year I focused on Portuguese so much … … I think the next year will be the same (just that I’ll start looking for Spanish cards locally and Korean cards from sellers located in USA) …

• Omanyte/Omastar/Delibird Species Collection: Add some cards for the Species Collection. Currently focusing on rare variants that are affordable for me (believe it or not, this combination exists) … especially if they’re in Latin American Spanish

• Spanish cards: Especially Latin American Spanish cards. Probably I’ll search also for Spanish Unseen Forces Non-Holo cards

• 2 Spanish Unseen Forces cards: Buying 2 Spanish Unseen Forces cards from a friend … I think I’ll focus first on this

• Trainers Magazines: I’m just missing 7 out of the 22 volumes … Ironically, most of them are the most common volumes (Vol.4 or Vol.7 for example). I already have found almost all the rarest volumes (I have in hand from Vol.14 to Vol.21) … I’m missing the Special Volume (Summer 2002), but being realistic, I won’t achieve it for 2026 … It’s something that I’ll start searching in the next years (but definitely this goal has not been discarded)

And the most important thing … Have fun and make new friends from all over the world!!!

[Ratequaza]

I already stated it elsewhere, but for the record: Since my goal for 2025 of finding the last missing Staraptor card is now completed, the goal for 2026 regarding my Staraptor collection would simply be to keep up with potential new releases (although with Staraptor typically only getting one card per generation, I wouldn’t really expect another card to release next year). Another goal which isn’t really TCG, but still Pokémon related would be to complete my collection of all (known) versions of Pokémon Battle Revolution, which I would also like to show off in a collection post one day. That one should actually be relatively doable in comparison, so I might even check that off pretty early next year.

[lyleberr]

Whoops, i meant Kalos Starter Collection.

Its a deluxe deck packaging that was the 3rd variant release for the xy kalos starter set decks. They came with the deck, 2 packs, and a pin of the starter.

Its been years since ive seen one pop up as most of them i assume have been opened for the packs. I want them for my deck collection but due to their rarity (and that its a variant packaging release) i count them as extended goals.

[frostyalpaca]

Going on a crazy modern grading frenzy that’s been successful so far and very rewarding.

The sole purpose is to blow it all at a larger card show later in the year into an auto + sketch from either Himeno or Arita. Anything left over would be to hunt a high grade of either Pokekyun Shaymin or Sylveon.

[beccazican]

I remember when I used to think a couple hundred for a card was a lot. Now it’s just kind of standard lol

[bbobrob]

@Silphnaut Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s great to hear good feedback about both events I’m less concerned about not enjoying the E4 meetup, but Worlds has me wondering what there is to do if I don’t follow the TCG or VGS or any other games. I know how to play the TCG and used to watch some competitive streams, so maybe I’d still enjoy watching the competition despite not knowing the current meta (or maybe I’ll just catch up a bit before I attend). But it’s good to hear there are other events and enough things to keep me occupied.

@dromanyte

Dark Magician Girl collection: Currently 111/1400 (7.93%)

That’s a lot of cards/cameos!

[dromanyte]

@bbobrob

That’s a lot of cards/cameos!

Yes, it’s a lot of cards & cameos … It’s not something I’ll complete next year or the following … It’s going to take a long time. Currently I’m building the base …

If you’re wondering, this is the list of cards involved (and progress)

[bbobrob]

Holy moly, that is a lot of reprints for just the original Dark Magician Girl (511 cards…).

[Remcoudb]

Great goals you all.

I started collecting again this year, with the main focus on my Lapras collection. Got the English set done and working on Japanese and very slowly on other languages. So the goals for next year will be:

• Keep up with the possible new releases of Lapras cards;
• Add 10-15 Japanese Lapras cards to the collection;
• Add a few European language Lapras cards every now and then;
• Add 3 graded Lapras cards to the collection when they pop-up;

Then the non Lapras related stuff:

• I’m working on a binder with a full art of every first gen. Pokemon. At the moment I’m missing 32 cards. Gonna try to bring that down to like 15-20.
• As I love the first gen. Pokemon I have this bold goal of getting every English card possible. So not every variation, but just every possible art of a Pokemon. I already know it’s impossible for the populair ones, but I’ll try to complete 5 Pokemon. Don’t mind it being the very cheap ones.

[dromanyte]

@bbobrob

Holy moly, that is a lot of reprints for just the original Dark Magician Girl (511 cards…).

It’s because there’re like 8 artworks … Almost all variants in all languages together gives you the current number: 511 cards (“almost” because 3 cards have been excluded from chart: 24OT-JASG1, 24OT-AESG1 & 2024-KR001 … which are tournament prize cards with extremely low POP)

Europe is going to be painful due to cards have more saturation and bold card name … They’re kinda difficult to distinguish from English. I’m unsure if Europe exists for all cards … (haven’t started searching Europe yet, but they have slot in the chart)

Edit: For those wondering about G3-11 (Secret Rare) … I’ll just buy a proxy in AliExpress at some point … That’s the only reason I’ve considered it in the chart … It’s the only case I’ll do that …

[xliveandplay]

[trainerred661]

The main goal for 2026 is to complete my Japanese BW Full Art PSA 10 set (Unlimited). I’ve been working toward this for the past two years, and I’m hoping 2026 is finally the year I finish it.

I managed to get some low pop beauties at auctions this year, but this one still eludes me:

[tinyroadadhi]

Seeing everyone’s goals makes me want to write down mine too. Nothing too fancy, but still something to look forward to outside of work.

1. I primarily want to continue completing my English Mudkip collection, especially the cards within my price range. I might focus more on Mudkip cameos in 2026, in whatever capacity, whether they’re from main sets or even from World Championship decks.

2. I want to kick off my English Magikarp–Gyarados binder collection. I already have the list, but a few months of delivery issues made me pause collecting for a while.

3. This can be for 2026 or 2027: a Gyarados GX Rainbow Rare PSA slab. I already have the English Gyarados VMAX Rainbow Rare PSA 10, and it sits prettily on my home office table. I’m not in a rush and am waiting for the price to dip a little before buying the GX. If it doesn’t dip, I might need to get the Japanese version or a lower grade in English. Either way, it will be a nice Pride Month gift for myself and a step toward having all rainbow rare versions of Gyarados.

Wishing everyone luck on their goals for next year!

Cheers,
Adhi

[Vertemes]

I have a few goals actually for 2026:
Broad Rayquaza goals:

• Buy at least 50 non tcg rayquaza items and 10 plushies (I need a plush army!)
• Achieve 30% completion of my rayquaza collection

Niche:

• Buy a Rayquaza TG20 card (after selling mine prematurely)
• Give my mom a rayquaza card for her collection (already completed lol)
• Complete the reverse holos for all rayquaza cards

Non Rayquaza goals:
-Grab every Journey Together and Temporal forces SIRS

• Send my cards in to PSA
• Get my mom a fidough plushie
• Get through 2026 without doing something outrageous on E4

[ddk]

@Vertemes

Send my cards in to PSA

@Vertemes

Get through 2026 without doing something outrageous on E4

The first step is to not ask PSA for “free shipping” like you did with CGC