The card grading industry graded a record 3.5 million cards in June 2026. PSA alone graded 2.5 million — up 21% from May and 74% year over year — and that record was set with the Value tier closed. The grading landscape has shifted dramatically in 2026, with paused tiers, acquisitions, and new entrants changing the calculus for every collector.
Here is a comprehensive comparison of every major grading company as of August 2026, with specific guidance for Canadian collectors.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
PSA remains the default choice for many sellers because buyers recognize the holder and use PSA population data when comparing cards. The tradeoff is the current active entry price.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Price | Turnaround | Status | |------|-------|------------|--------| | Value Bulk | $15/card | — | PAUSED since June 2 | | Value | $25/card | — | PAUSED since June 2 | | Value Plus | $45/card | — | PAUSED since June 2 | | Value Max | $100/card | — | PAUSED since June 2 | | Regular | $79.99 | 40-50 business days | Active | | Express | $149.99 | 10-15 business days | Active | | Super Express | $299.99 | 5-7 business days | Active | | Walk-Through | $599.99 | 2-3 business days | Active |
Key Facts
- Backlog: Approximately 11 million cards (down from 14 million)
- Value tier reopening: Projected for winter 2026-27, estimates have slipped from October
- Resale premium: Highest in the industry by a wide margin
- Canadian submissions: Available through PSA Canada facility in Mississauga or 16 authorized partners
When to Use PSA
- Cards worth $250+ where the resale premium covers the grading cost
- Cards you plan to sell — PSA slabs have the broadest buyer recognition
- High-value vintage cards where population data matters
When to Avoid PSA
- Cards worth less than $250 (at $80/card, the math doesn't work)
- Bulk submissions of 100+ cards (wait for Value tier to return)
- Cards you're keeping for your personal collection (KSA is cheaper)
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
Beckett uses a distinct value proposition: detailed subgrades and rare top labels. The pending acquisition by Collectors Holdings (PSA's parent company) is the single biggest structural story in grading right now.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Price | Turnaround | Subgrades | |------|-------|------------|-----------| | Base (no subgrades) | $14.95 | 75+ business days | No | | Base (with subgrades) | $17.95 | 75+ business days | Yes | | Standard | $34.95 | 40-50 business days | Yes | | Express | $79.95 | 15-20 business days | Yes | | Priority | $124.95 | 5-10 business days | Yes |
Key Facts
- Volume: 146,000 cards in 2026, up 132% year over year
- Acquisition: Collectors Holdings (PSA parent) announced acquisition in December 2025
- Black Label: Pristine 10s across all subgrades — the rarest and most valuable BGS label
- Subgrades: Provides individual grades for centering, corners, edges, and surface
When to Use BGS
- Premium cards where subgrade transparency adds value
- Autograph cards (BGS auto subgrades can produce premium pricing)
- Cards where you want to understand specific condition weaknesses
- MTG and gaming cards where subgrades are valued
When to Avoid BGS
- Cards you need graded quickly (75+ business days at Base tier)
- Modern sports cards for resale (PSA carries higher resale premium)
SGC
SGC remains the go-to for vintage, where the black-tuxedo slab has genuine collector preference. Now under the same ownership as PSA (Collectors Holdings), there are questions about how independently the brands will be positioned long-term.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Price | Turnaround | Best For | |------|-------|------------|----------| | Standard | $15 | 40-50 business days | Cards up to $1,500 declared value | | Expedited | $150+ | 2-3 business days | High-value vintage |
Key Facts
- Entry price: $15 for cards declared up to $1,500 — lowest entry point among major graders
- No membership required — Simple, accessible submission process
- Vintage expertise: Historically more consistent grading on vintage than PSA
- Ownership: Same parent company as PSA (Collectors Holdings)
When to Use SGC
- Vintage cards (pre-1980) — SGC's tuxedo slab presents vintage beautifully
- Cards where you want a lower entry price than PSA
- T206, 1950s-60s Topps, and other classic sets
When to Avoid SGC
- Modern sports cards for resale (PSA has stronger buyer recognition)
- If you need the card back quickly (40-50 business days at Standard)
CGC (Certified Guaranty)
CGC has carved out strong recognition in trading card games — Pokemon, Magic, One Piece — but meaningfully weaker recognition in sports cards.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Price | Turnaround | Minimum | |------|-------|------------|---------| | Bulk | $17 | 120 working days | 25 cards | | Economy | $20 | 65 working days | None | | Standard | $55 | 35-55 working days | None | | Express | $100 | 15-20 working days | None | | WalkThrough | $300 | 5-7 working days | None |
Key Facts
- Volume: 763,000 cards in 2026, up 78% year over year
- Sports resale: Trades below both PSA and BGS
- TCG resale: Genuinely competitive — first choice for many Pokemon collectors
- Turnaround risk: Economy has pushed toward 100+ business days
When to Use CGC
- Pokemon, Magic, One Piece, and other TCG cards — CGC is genuinely competitive here
- Budget grading for cards worth $50-250 where PSA's $80 tier doesn't make sense
- Bulk submissions (25+ cards at $17 each)
When to Avoid CGC
- Modern sports cards for resale (significant discount vs PSA)
- If you need cards back quickly (120 working days at Bulk)
TAG (Tech Authentication & Grading)
TAG combines computer vision, machine learning, and human verification. Its slabs include a familiar 1-10 grade, a granular 100-1000 score, and QR-linked digital reports.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Price | Status | |------|-------|--------| | Basic | $22 | Sold out | | Standard | $39 | Sold out | | Express | $59 | Sold out | | Priority | $149 | Limited | | Walkthrough | $299 | Available |
Key Facts
- Growth: Volume up roughly 40% year over year
- Innovation: Computer-vision grading with subgrade transparency
- Constraint: Tiers sell out regularly — capacity is the main limitation
- Resale: Still lags established graders, though the gap has narrowed
When to Use TAG
- When you want granular, data-driven grading with subgrade transparency
- Cards where the DIG report adds value for potential buyers
- If you can actually get a tier (they sell out fast)
When to Avoid TAG
- Cards for maximum resale value (PSA still dominates)
- If you need guaranteed turnaround (tiers sell out unpredictably)
KSA (KSA Grading and Authentication Services)
KSA is a Canada-based grading company offering CAD-denominated pricing and domestic service. It is primarily a Canada-first grader with a focus on the Canadian market.
Current Pricing and Turnaround
| Tier | Cards | Price (CAD) | Turnaround | |------|-------|-------------|------------| | Walk-Through | No limit | $150/card | Same day | | Express | No limit | $100/card | 1 business day | | Express | No limit | $50/card | ~5 business days | | Regular | 1-19 | $30/card | ~20 business days | | Bulk | 20-49 | $25/card | ~30 business days | | Bulk | 50-99 | $20/card | ~30 business days | | Bulk | 100+ | $15/card | ~30 business days | | TCG Regular | 1-19 | $25/card | ~20 business days | | TCG Bulk | 20+ | $15/card | ~30 business days | | Reholder Express | No limit | $25/card | ~5 business days | | Reholder Regular | No limit | $15/card | ~20 business days |
Key Facts
- Canadian: Based in Canada, pricing in CAD
- Grading scale: 1-10, with "10 - Gem Mint" as the top grade
- Cross-grade reality: KSA slabs typically cross-grade 1-2 points lower at PSA/BGS
- Resale: Easier to sell within Canada than internationally
When to Use KSA
- Personal collections you don't plan to sell internationally
- Cards you're selling within Canada
- Budget grading ($15-30 CAD per card for bulk)
- Fast turnaround (same-day walk-through available)
When to Avoid KSA
- Cards you plan to sell on the U.S. or international market (buyers may discount unfamiliar slabs)
- High-value cards where maximum resale premium matters
- Vintage cards (cross-grade results have been inconsistent)
Decision Framework: Which Grader Should You Use?
Card Worth Under $50
Do not grade it. At current pricing, there is no tier where the math works. Sell it raw or keep it raw.
Card Worth $50-250, Modern Sports
CGC Economy ($20) or TAG (if available). Accept the resale discount and the wait. KSA ($25-30 CAD) is also viable for Canadian domestic sales.
Card Worth $50-250, Pokemon or TCG
CGC is genuinely competitive here, not a compromise. CGC has strong recognition in TCG markets.
Card Worth $250+, Modern Sports
PSA Regular ($80). The resale premium covers the cost. Use PSA Canada in Mississauga to avoid tariff fees.
Vintage of Any Value
SGC ($15) or PSA. Vintage buyers have strong slab preferences and both are safe. SGC's tuxedo slab is preferred by many vintage collectors.
Bulk of 100+ Cards
Wait. If PSA's Value tier returns this winter, waiting four months is cheaper than any alternative available today. KSA bulk at $15 CAD/card is the best current option for Canadian collectors.
Autograph Cards
BGS for subgrade transparency, PSA for general resale. BGS with auto subgrade can produce premium pricing on cards with strong "auto 10" subgrades. PSA with PSA/DNA authentication is the broader resale standard.
What to Watch in the Rest of 2026
1. PSA Value tier reopening — The single most consequential event for anyone with bulk. Estimates have moved from October toward winter. 2. Beckett acquisition closing — Three of the five major graders under one owner will reshape pricing across the board. 3. Fall product wave — New releases on October 2 and November 6 will generate submission surges. 4. CGC turnaround stabilization — If economy pushes past 100 business days, the accessible tier stops being accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grading company has the highest resale value?
PSA commands the highest resale premium in sports cards by a wide margin. For Pokemon and TCG, CGC is genuinely competitive. For vintage, SGC has genuine collector preference.
What is the cheapest way to grade cards in Canada?
KSA offers the lowest entry point at $15 CAD per card for bulk submissions of 100+ cards. SGC Standard at $15 USD is also accessible. PSA's Value tier, when it returns, will offer $15-25 per card.
Should I grade my cards now or wait for PSA Value tier?
If your cards are worth $250+, grade now through PSA Canada. If your cards are worth $50-250 and you can wait, the PSA Value tier reopening (projected winter 2026-27) will be the cheapest option.
Is TAG a legitimate grading company?
Yes. TAG uses computer vision and machine learning alongside human verification. Its slabs include a 1-10 grade, a granular score, and QR-linked digital reports. The main limitation is capacity — tiers sell out regularly.
