· By Mike Gogno
PSA Raises Grading Prices & Extends Turn Around Times Again
What Changed From 2025 to February 10, 2026 and What It Means for the Hobby
PSA just adjusted its grading structure again.
As of February 10, 2026, several of PSA’s most commonly used service levels now cost more and take longer than they did in 2025. These changes apply only to new submissions created on or after that date. Anything entered into PSA’s system before February 10 remains under prior pricing and turnaround estimates.
Here is the clear comparison.
2025 vs 2026 PSA Pricing
Below are the core tiers most collectors actually use. This is what they cost in 2025 versus what they cost as of February 10, 2026.
| Service Level | 2025 Price | 2026 Price |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bulk | $21.99 | $24.99 |
| Value | $27.99 | $32.99 |
| Value Plus | $44.99 | $49.99 |
| Value Max | $59.99 | $64.99 |
| Regular | $74.99 | $79.99 |
Every one of these tiers increased by $5 per card.
There were no price changes to Express, Super Express, or higher premium levels in this update.
For collectors submitting volume, that $5 difference compounds quickly. A 50 card submission at the Value tier now costs $250 more than it would have under 2025 pricing.
This is also only showing late 2025 prices. PSA raised their prices last year as well. That changes grading math.
2025 vs 2026 Turnaround Times
PSA also extended estimated turnaround times on several mid tier services.
Here is how estimated business day timelines shifted:
| Service Level | 2025 Estimated TAT | 2026 Estimated TAT |
|---|---|---|
| Value Plus | ~40 business days | ~45 business days |
| Value Max | ~30 business days | ~35 business days |
| Regular | ~20 business days | ~25 business days |
Each of these services gained approximately five additional business days.
Value Bulk and standard Value tier timelines remained the same compared to late 2025 estimates.
In practical terms, that means:
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Mid tier submissions now take about one additional week.
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Capital is tied up longer.
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Flips move slower.
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Market timing becomes more important.
Why PSA Is Doing This
PSA has cited sustained high submission volume and capacity balancing as the reason for the changes. Demand continues to exceed throughput across certain service levels, particularly the tiers most hobbyists use.
Instead of restricting submissions, PSA adjusted price and time expectations to better align with real processing volume.
This is not a one time correction. It reflects structural demand.
What This Actually Means for Collectors
The impact is not emotional. It is economic.
1. The grading threshold just moved higher
At $32.99 for Value, a raw card needs a meaningful upside to justify submission. Lower end modern base cards are becoming harder to justify grading unless:
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Population is extremely low
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Demand is proven
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You are building long term PC value
Spray grading is less attractive than it was in 2024 and early 2025.
2. Liquidity slows at mid tiers
If you are grading at Value Plus, Value Max, or Regular:
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Expect about a week longer hold time.
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That matters in breakout cycles.
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That matters in playoff runs.
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That matters in hype driven spikes.
Grading timing now requires more strategy.
3. PSA remains dominant
Despite price increases, PSA still commands the strongest resale premiums in most segments of the market. That reality has not changed.
Collectors are not simply asking who is cheaper.
They are asking who the market trusts most.
The Bigger Picture
Compared to 2025, PSA grading in 2026 is:
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More expensive across key tiers
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Slightly slower in mid level services
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Structurally tightening the economics of mass submission
This is not a collapse. It is a recalibration.
As grading costs rise, selectivity increases. As selectivity increases, population growth may moderate. As population growth moderates, scarcity dynamics become more important.
That changes how serious collectors think.
And serious collectors are who shape this hobby long term.
