Pokémon Card Grading Service Suspends Operations Due to 10 Million Card Backlog

Pokémon cards can fetch impressive prices, but to maximize their value, you need an official grading. The leading player in this arena is Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), and business is booming. However, the overwhelming influx of cards for grading has led PSA to struggle to keep up with demand.

Recently, PSA announced it would discontinue its “value” tier grading services, which collectors often use for more common Pokémon cards. You might wonder why anyone would pay to grade a standard card. Well, cards in good condition can still command respectable prices. For instance, sending in a cherished Pikachu card for grading can double its value, even if it won’t reach the heights of rare cards. It’s a fun way to engage with the hobby, and many collectors are willing to pay for that experience.

However, the excitement surrounding Pokémon cards has created a challenging environment. Last year, The Pokémon Company printed a staggering 10 billion cards, and due to resellers, finding these cards at retail prices can be a struggle.

In May 2026, PSA reported a 20% increase in submissions for grading. Despite a $200 million investment to enhance their grading infrastructure, the company is overwhelmed, currently facing a backlog of nearly 10 million cards awaiting evaluation. Collectors often find themselves waiting close to a year for their submissions to be returned.

“While our daily grading output is at an all-time high, with capacity increased fivefold since 2021, continuing to accept submissions at this breakneck pace would strain our operations and delay existing orders,” PSA stated in a blog post.

In addition to halting grading for value cards, PSA is warning customers about longer turnaround times for standard submissions without expedited options. They will still complete evaluations for value cards already submitted, and those who are part of subscription services will retain access to value grading.

“Our goal is to reduce the backlog to 5 million cards, and we anticipate it will take up to four months to reach this target,” PSA mentioned, adding that they have implemented a public backlog tracker for transparency.

Now, if you want a card graded, the minimum fee is $79.99 per card, with express service starting at $149.99. The premium tier costs $599.99, which includes a grading explanation, a fitted sleeve, and a turnaround time of one week.

“By temporarily pausing the influx of our most sought-after service levels, we are allowing our upgraded facilities, advanced machine-learning logistics, and new team members the necessary space to operate efficiently,” PSA explained.

In a notable sale, a two-year-old Pokémon card known as Bubble Mew recently sold for six figures, raising concerns among trading card game enthusiasts.