Guides
Sports Card Grading 2026: PSA vs SGC vs CGC vs Beckett
Sports card grading in 2026 from each grader's own pages: PSA, SGC and CGC fees, turnaround and value caps, what Beckett has open and how to submit.
Sports card grading in 2026 means choosing between PSA, SGC and CGC, with Beckett only partly open. This guide puts each grader's own fees, turnaround and value caps side by side, as listed on October 10, 2026, and walks through a submission.
TL;DR: As of October 10, 2026: CGC starts at $17 (Bulk) and $20 (Economy); SGC at $50 (40+ business days); PSA at $59.99 (Standard, 90 to 100 business days), with its Value tiers paused. Fastest posted options: CGC WalkThrough 2 working days ($300), SGC expedited 2 to 3 days (from $150), PSA Premier 7 to 10 days ($599). Beckett has paused Base and Standard; Express is open through a temporary form.
Sports card grading in 2026 (quick answer)
Sports card grading is sending a card to a company that checks it is authentic, grades its condition on a 1 to 10 scale and seals it in a labelled holder. In October 2026 the cheapest posted tiers are CGC at $17 to $20, SGC at $50 and PSA at $59.99. Beckett has paused its Base and Standard tiers. Fees and turnaround below are each grader's own figures, dated.
Key Takeaways
- Cheapest posted tier: CGC Bulk $17 (25-card minimum, up to $500); for a single card CGC Economy $20, SGC $50, PSA Standard $59.99.
- Fastest posted tier: CGC WalkThrough, 2 working days; SGC expedited, 2 to 3 business days; PSA Premier, 7 to 10 business days (PSA's graphic also lists Premium at 5 to 7).
- PSA: Value tiers paused since June 2, 2026; backlog 8.2 million units on October 6.
- SGC: service levels adjusted September 2, 2026; more changes expected late 2026 to early 2027.
- Beckett: Base and Standard paused, Express open via a temporary form, website offline (October 10).
- Declared value matters: CGC can move an undervalued card to a higher tier and charge the difference; PSA and SGC tiers carry value caps.
Overview: how sports card grading works
PSA's services page spells out the order of work: "Grading can only take place after a trading card has been deemed authentic," and "PSA grades the condition of each card on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best." The finished slab carries a label; at PSA, "The card's grade and certification number are displayed on the PSA LightHouse label."
CGC describes its label the same way, with one addition: "An enclosed certification label provides a detailed description of the card, its grade, its unique CGC certification number and a QR code to facilitate quick verification." CGC also says "Every CGC-certified card is backed by the CGC Guarantee of authenticity and grade."
SGC uses the 1 to 10 scale too, with a named top grade. Its scale page describes the Pristine 10 as "virtually flawless" with "50/50 centering."
Image: PSA
The cert number on the label is not the card's own serial number. A /25 parallel carries its print run on the card; the grader's number identifies the slab. Our numbered cards guide covers that difference.
Analysis: sports card grading fees by company (October 10, 2026)
Each grader prices by tier, and each tier has a value cap and a turnaround estimate. The tables below are copied from each company's pricing page as read on October 10, 2026.
PSA (US). PSA's banner reads "Value Services Are Temporarily Paused." The open tiers:
| PSA tier | Price per card | Max insured value | Estimated turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $59.99 | $1,000 | 90-100 business days |
| Priority | $79.99 | $1,500 | 70-80 business days |
| Express | $199.00 | $2,500 | 20-30 business days |
| Super Express | $349.00 | $5,000 | 10-15 business days |
| Premier | $599.00 | $10,000 | 7-10 business days |
| Premium (PSA graphic) | $999+ | $25,000+ | 5-7 business days |
PSA's September 9 announcement explains the names: Standard opened September 14 at "$59.99 per card," "Priority is the new name for our $79.99 service level (previously Regular)," and Premier replaced the walk-through tier at "$599 per card." PSA's Canadian site lists different prices (Standard at $84.99 with a $1,400 cap), so make sure you are on the US page if you ship from the US. Our PSA fees guide, linked below, goes through every PSA rule.
SGC. SGC's standard-size table:
| Max declared value | Standard (40+ business days) | Expedited (2-3 business days) |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $50 | not offered |
| $3,500 | $85 | $150 |
| $7,500 | not offered | $250 |
| $20,000 | not offered | $500 |
| $50,000 | not offered | $1,000 |
| $100,000 | not offered | $2,000 |
| $100,000+ | not offered | $3,750 plus $375 per extra $10,000 |
SGC's service-level update says the change took effect September 2, 2026, and that "Future adjustments to service levels should be expected between late 2026 and early 2027."
CGC Cards. CGC's grading tiers:
| CGC tier | Max value per card | Fee per card | Turnaround (working days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (25-card minimum, mixed types allowed) | $500 | $17 | 150 |
| Economy | $1,000 | $20 | 90 |
| Standard | $3,000 | $55 | 10 |
| Express | $10,000 | $100 | 5 |
| WalkThrough | $100,000 | $300 | 2 |
| Unlimited Value | Unlimited | $300 + 1% of FMV | 2 |
CGC set the Bulk fee at $17 and Economy at $20 on March 24, 2026, per its announcement. Members get "10% on grading" at the Associate and Premium levels and "20% on grading" at Elite.
Beckett (BGS). Beckett's grading page redirected on October 10, 2026 to a notice titled "Express Submissions Remain Open." It says Beckett has "temporarily paused Base and Standard card grading submissions," that "Express is currently available through the temporary submission form," and that "Beckett's digital platforms, including Beckett.com and the Beckett mobile app, remain temporarily offline." Beckett's fee table was not readable, so we list no Beckett prices.
Image: CGC Cards
GODEEPER: Before paying to grade a rookie, check it is a true RC. Rookie Cards Explained: RC Logo, 1st Bowman and 2026 Classes →
Cheapest posted tier by card value
Because every grader caps its tiers by value, the cheapest option changes with what the card is worth. Reading the three fee tables above together (our comparison, prices as of October 10, 2026):
| Card value up to | CGC | SGC | PSA |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $17 Bulk (25-card minimum) or $20 Economy | $50 | $59.99 Standard |
| $1,000 | $20 Economy | $50 | $59.99 Standard |
| $1,500 | $55 Standard | $50 | $79.99 Priority |
| $3,000 | $55 Standard | $85 | $349.00 Super Express |
| $10,000 | $100 Express | $500 expedited (up to $20,000) | $599.00 Premier |
The cheaper tiers are also the slower ones: CGC's $20 Economy is a 90 working day estimate and PSA's $59.99 Standard is 90 to 100 business days, while CGC's $55 Standard is 10. At $3,000 PSA has no tier between Express (capped at $2,500) and Super Express (capped at $5,000), which is why the jump looks steep.
Analysis: turnaround times and the 2026 backlog
Posted turnaround is an estimate, and each grader counts it differently. SGC says "Turnaround time begins once the order has been unboxed and logged into our system." CGC says its times "reflect the estimated number of working days to complete a submission delivered at our facility today." PSA marks its estimates with an asterisk and queues new tiers behind older ones.
PSA's backlog tracker gives its own account of this year's delays: "Due to a 20% spike in submissions which resulted in our backlog approaching 10 million, we announced a temporary pause to Value tiers effective June 2, 2026." At the time, PSA projected it would "take 5-6 months to reach our target of bringing the backlog down to 5 million units." The tracker's later updates:
| Date (PSA tracker) | Active backlog |
|---|---|
| August 25, 2026 | 10.9 million units |
| September 8, 2026 | 9.9 million units |
| September 22, 2026 | 9 million units |
| October 6, 2026 | 8.2 million units |
PSA's Standard tier, launched September 14, does not jump that queue: "Standard orders will be processed following existing Value and Bulk orders." It is also "not a replacement for our Value tiers, which remain paused."
Speed costs money at every grader. At PSA the step from Standard (90 to 100 business days) to Premier (7 to 10) is $59.99 to $599. At SGC, standard to expedited at the $3,500 cap is $85 to $150. At CGC, Economy to Standard is $20 to $55 for 90 working days down to 10, per the posted estimates.
Image: PSA
Analysis: declared value, insurance and the rules that change your bill
Each tier has a value cap, so the value you declare decides the tier and the fee. CGC states what happens if you declare too low:
- CGC: "The declared value is the submitter's best estimate of the current FMV of the collectible," and if CGC finds a card undervalued, "it may adjust the tier and charge the appropriate difference." CGC also caps any loss compensation at the declared value.
- PSA: each tier has a Max Insured Value, which PSA defines as "the maximum amount you can receive as compensation, up to the item's fair market value, if your collectible is damaged or lost while in PSA's care." Coverage starts on receipt, "up to the lesser of its fair market value or the applicable Max Insured Value."
- Inbound shipping: "PSA does not insure inbound packages. However, you can elect to purchase shipping insurance from third-party providers."
- SGC: above $100,000, "For each additional $10,000 over $100,000 in card value, add $375 to the base fee." Crossovers without a minimum grade "will have longer turnaround times."
How to submit cards for sports card grading
PSA's shipping guide is the most detailed official checklist we found, and the steps carry over to the other graders.
1. Choose the grader and tier. Match the card's fair market value to the tier cap and accept the posted turnaround.
2. Gather supplies. PSA lists "your submission form, clear penny sleeves, semi-rigid card holders, cardboard dividers, rubber bands, a new shipping box, bubble wrap, and packing tape."
3. Sleeve and hold each card. "Place each card into a clear penny sleeve. Avoid solid or opaque sleeves, which can cause delays." Then "Slide each sleeved card into a semi-rigid holder. Make sure both sides are fully visible. Do not use toploaders, tape, pull tabs, or sticky notes." For standard cards, the holder must be 3 5/16" x 4 7/8".
4. Match the order to the form. PSA asks you to stack cards "in the exact sequence listed on your submission form, starting with Item #1 on top."
5. Pack and seal. "Use packing tape to seal all seams securely. Avoid painter's tape, scotch tape, or reused tape." Buy inbound insurance from a third party if the cards are valuable, since the grader does not cover the trip in.
6. Track and wait. At SGC, turnaround starts when the order is unboxed and logged, not when you ship; CGC counts working days from delivery at its facility.
Image: SGC
Grading Guides: Fees, Graders and Prep
These guides go deeper on each grader and on preparing cards. New guides are added here as they publish.
- PSA Grading Fees 2026: Every Tier, Price and Turnaround: every PSA tier after the September 2026 changes, with the rules that change the bill.
Community: what collectors are saying about graders in 2026
The slowdown has been a running topic. In May, u/BrendanSCN summed up the market in an r/sportscards post: "With PSA and TAG pausing value grading and CGC extending turnaround times." (thread). A reply from u/VendettaKarma added: "And BGS and SGC are owned by PSA's parent company so expect more of the same. TAG is overwhelmed. CGC is Pokémon swamped too." (comment).
On Beckett, an r/psagrading thread from September 24 was titled "Beckett reopened Base and Standard tiers…lasted maybe a week or two; already shut back down." In it, u/One-Knowledge5930 wrote: "Even more embarrassing because I am now at 100 business days wait time for my submission." (comment). These are individual accounts, not company figures.
Our take
Based on the fee tables and notices cited above: in October 2026 the choice of grader is mostly a choice between price, cap and wait. CGC posts the lowest entry fees and the shortest fast tiers. SGC's $50 tier covers cards up to $1,500 with a 40+ day estimate. PSA's cheapest open tier is $59.99 at 90 to 100 business days, with its Value tiers paused and Standard queued behind them. Beckett is not a full option until Base and Standard reopen. Whichever you pick, declare value honestly, follow the packing rules, and recheck the price page on submission day: SGC and PSA both changed tiers in September, and SGC says more changes are coming. This is fee data, not advice on whether a card is worth grading.
Frequently Asked Questions
The six questions above cover the cheapest and fastest grading options, Beckett's status, grading scales, declared value and PSA's backlog.
What is the cheapest way to grade a sports card in 2026?
On the graders' own pages as of October 10, 2026, CGC's Bulk tier is $17 per card (25-card minimum, up to $500 value, 150 working days) and its Economy tier is $20. SGC starts at $50 and PSA's cheapest tier taking orders, Standard, is $59.99, while PSA's Value tiers are paused.
Which grading company is fastest?
Among the posted estimates on October 10, 2026, CGC's WalkThrough is 2 working days for $300 (up to $100,000) and SGC's expedited service is 2 to 3 business days from $150. PSA's Premier is $599 at 7 to 10 business days, and PSA's service graphic lists Premium from $999 at 5 to 7 days. Estimates are not guarantees.
Is Beckett grading open right now?
Partly. Beckett's page on October 10, 2026 said it had temporarily paused Base and Standard card grading submissions, that Express was available through a temporary submission form, and that Beckett.com and the Beckett app remained temporarily offline. Beckett runs a waitlist for when Base and Standard reopen.
What grading scale do PSA, SGC and CGC use?
PSA and SGC both use a 1 to 10 scale. PSA grades on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 best, and only after the card is deemed authentic. SGC's top grade is Pristine 10, which it describes as virtually flawless with 50/50 centering. CGC's label shows the card's grade, cert number and a QR code.
What is declared value when you submit cards for grading?
It is your estimate of the card's fair market value, and it sets the tier you must pay for. CGC says it will move a card to the right tier if the declared value is too low. PSA uses a Max Insured Value per tier, which caps what you can be compensated if the card is lost or damaged in PSA's care.
Why are PSA turnaround times so long in 2026?
PSA's backlog tracker says a 20% spike in submissions pushed its backlog toward 10 million units, so it paused Value tiers from June 2, 2026. The tracker reported 8.2 million units on October 6, down from 9 million on September 22. Its new Standard tier is queued behind existing Value and Bulk orders.
How we checked this
Fees, caps and turnaround come from PSA's US services page, its September 9, 2026 announcement and backlog tracker, SGC's pricing page and September 2 update, CGC's services and fees page, its declared value policy and its March 2026 fee notice, all read in a headless browser on October 10, 2026. Beckett's status is quoted from the notice its grading page showed that day. Packing steps come from PSA's shipping guide. Community quotes were read on the Reddit threads linked above. We did not submit cards for this guide. Full source table: data/sources/sports-card-grading-guide-2026.sources.md.
References
- PSA, trading card grading services (US): https://www.psacard.com/services/tradingcardgrading
- PSA, new Standard service level (September 9, 2026): https://www.psacard.com/articles/articleview/15763/psa-new-standard-service-level
- PSA, backlog tracker: https://www.psacard.com/info/backlog-tracker
- PSA, coverage: https://www.psacard.com/info/coverage
- PSA, shipping guide: https://www.psacard.com/info/shipguide
- SGC, services and pricing: https://gosgc.com/card-grading/services-pricing
- SGC, service level update: https://gosgc.com/service-level-update-2026-09-02
- CGC Cards, services and fees: https://www.cgccards.com/submit/services-fees/cgc-grading/
- CGC, Bulk and Economy fee update (March 2026): https://www.cgcgrading.com/news/articles/cgc-updates-bulk-economy-tiers-39EPnFbgfEFcl9dg16hFnr/
- CGC Cards, declared value policy: https://www.cgccards.com/submit/declared-value-policy/
- CGC Cards, about CGC: https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/about-cgc/
- Beckett, grading pricing and turnaround (maintenance notice): https://www.beckett.com/grading-pricing-turnaroundtimes
Related Reading
- Sports Card Release Calendar 2026: Oct and Nov Dates: the fall releases whose rookies and parallels will fill this winter's submissions.
- Sports Card Boxes Explained: Hobby vs Jumbo vs Blaster: where the cards people grade come from, format by format.
- 2026 Topps Update Rookies: All 111 Players on the Checklist: the rookie class collectors will be submitting this fall.
About the author
Editorial desk
The RookieDesk desk. Every article is built from a source file: manufacturer checklists and odds sheets, grading company fee pages, and dated sale data, each linked in the article.
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RookieDesk publishes data, not investment or financial advice. Odds are the manufacturer's published odds, not a promise of what any one box contains. Checklists, release dates, grading fees and prices change after publication; each one here carries the date we checked it. Confirm critical details with the manufacturer, grader or seller before you buy or submit. RookieDesk is not affiliated with any card manufacturer, league or players association; see our independence note.