What Really Happened at The National Card Show? 10 Honest Takeaways | [E25] Behind the Breaks

We’re back from The National Sports Collectors Convention 2025 in Chicago, and this episode is our full recap and reaction. As credentialed media, not just hobbyists, we walked the floor, interviewed vendors, connected with breakers, and experienced the biggest trading card event in the world.In this episode of Behind the Breaks, Matt and RJ break down eight key takeaways from The National:The state of the trading card market and signs of a healthy, growing hobbyWhich brands delivered value and fan engagement, and which missed opportunitiesHow live breaks, content creation, and community-driven experiences are reshaping the industryInsights into pricing strategies, informal trading, and collector behaviorA look at the evolving line between hobby and business, especially for younger collectorsTechnology tools that helped navigate the show, like the Ludex appInclusion efforts and charity initiatives from vendors and show organizersBehind-the-scenes stories and what we’ll do differently next year as mediaWe also highlight strong brand performances from Whatnot, eBay Live, Panini, Upper Deck, and more — and where other companies left room for improvement.Whether you're into sports cards, breaking, buying on Whatnot, or just following where the trading card hobby is headed, this episode offers a detailed, honest view from inside the show.Subscribe for upcoming interviews and feature stories from across the hobby.