Football Card Prices Rising September 2026: Market Trends & Top Movers

Estimated reading time: 8 min

Key Takeaways

• Football card prices have shown notable increases in September 2026, influenced by rookie quarterback interest and vintage sales.
• Topps Flagship and Topps Chrome remain among the most sought-after football card sets by collectors.
• PSA 10 graded cards often command premiums over raw cards, though grading bottlenecks and fees can affect supply and market dynamics.
• Players like Caleb Williams, Josh Allen, and Kyler Murray are key figures behind recent price movements.
• Midpoint’s AI grading and centering tools assist collectors in pre-assessing cards before submitting them for grading.

The football card market in September 2026 is experiencing upward momentum, with price increases observed across both rookie and vintage segments. Collectors and investors are monitoring rookie quarterback cards, grading trends, and early-season NFL developments to inform their buying, holding, or selling decisions. This listicle outlines key factors influencing the market, highlights trending football cards, and offers practical insights for collectors navigating this evolving landscape.

30-day price movers — live data from Midpoint's card database, as of 2026-09-04. Prices move; Midpoint refreshes these daily.

	Card	Raw	PSA 10	30-day
	Arch Manning [Gold Ice] #22 2025 Panini Prizm Draft Picks New Recruits	$19.31	$273.74	+83.7%
	Jim Brown #62 1958 Topps	$550.00	$153,619	+47.2%
	Buford Ray #108 1948 Bowman	$118.84	$46,086	+43.5%
	Tom Brady #DT-22 2020 Panini Donruss Optic Downtown	$2,000	$20,800	+31.4%
	Mike Ditka #17 1962 Topps	$233.66	$40,000	+27.5%
	Kenny Washington #95 1949 Leaf	$107.77	$28,585	+21.4%
	Mick Tingelhoff #204 1971 Topps	$21.48	—	+19.3%
	Tom Brady [Championship Ticket Autograph] #144 2000 Playoff Contenders	$2,638	$789,096	+15.9%
	Caleb Williams #21 2024 Panini Donruss Downtown	$1,151	$3,294	+14.7%
	The Four Horsemen #68 1955 Topps All American	$153.29	$33,723	+13.7%
	Marion Motley #109 1951 Bowman	$61.66	$16,523	+6.4%
	Knute Rockne #16 1955 Topps All American	$114.78	$29,555	+6.1%

Look up any card's current raw and graded value in Midpoint — and get an estimated grade before you pay to submit.

1. Football Card Prices Rising September 2026: Market Overview

September 2026 appears to be a strong period for football card prices, supported by interest in rookie quarterbacks and vintage cards. As of 2026-09-04, prices for rookie QBs such as Caleb Williams and Kyler Murray have increased, with Caleb Williams’ 2026 Topps Chrome rookie card raw value around $320 and its PSA 10 graded edition approximately $950. This growth in both raw and graded values indicates collector interest. For a detailed analysis, see our Football Card Prices Rising September 2026: Top Market Movers.

Higher-end legacy sales also reflect this trend, with vintage quarterback cards like Joe Montana’s 1981 Topps PSA 10 recently selling near $3,200, suggesting ongoing appreciation for iconic players.

Overall, the football card market in September 2026 is trending upward but remains subject to short-term volatility, especially early in the NFL season when player performance news can quickly influence demand.

2. Rookie Quarterback Hype Driving Prices

Rookie quarterback cards continue to be significant price drivers this month. Caleb Williams has multiple Topps Chrome and Flagship rookie cards that have increased in value by an estimated 15%-25% recently. Josh Allen’s 2018 Topps Chrome rookie card PSA 10 has also seen price gains, reportedly reaching around $1,100, influenced by both on-field performance and market interest.

Strong performances by these rookies in Week 1 and subsequent games have contributed to increased collector enthusiasm, supporting price increases.

• Caleb Williams 2026 Topps Chrome raw: approximately $320 (up around 22%)
• Caleb Williams 2026 Topps Chrome PSA 10: approximately $950 (up around 18%)
• Josh Allen 2018 Topps Chrome PSA 10: approximately $1,100 (up around 12%)

3. Vintage Quarterback Cards and High-End Legacy Sales

While rookie cards attract much attention, vintage quarterback cards have also shown appreciation. Collectors are bidding on high-grade vintage cards, driven by limited supply and nostalgia. Cards of players like Joe Montana and Dan Marino, especially in PSA 10 condition, have experienced steady price increases.

For example, Montana’s 1981 Topps PSA 10 recently sold near $3,200, reflecting a modest increase from previous months. This suggests vintage cards continue to hold value alongside rookie card interest.

4. Topps Flagship and Topps Chrome Football Products Leading Collector Interest

Among football card products, Topps Flagship and Topps Chrome remain popular with collectors in September 2026. Topps Chrome’s glossy finish and inclusion of rookie autographs attract demand, while Topps Flagship’s affordability and broad player coverage appeal to a wide range of collectors.

Collectors report consistent price appreciation in these sets, with early-season rookies primarily driving interest.

5. Raw vs Graded Football Card Values: PSA 10 Premiums

PSA 10 graded cards generally command premiums over raw cards. For example, Kyler Murray’s 2019 Topps Chrome rookie card raw value is around $280, while the PSA 10 version can reach approximately $850, representing a significant premium.

This premium reflects grading companies’ authentication and market preference for high-grade cards. However, grading bottlenecks and rising fees can affect supply and contribute to short-term price fluctuations.

6. Grading Bottlenecks and Higher Fees Affect Supply and Prices

Demand for grading services has increased alongside card price rises, leading to backlogs at PSA and other grading firms. These delays can slow the supply of high-grade cards entering the market, potentially affecting prices.

Additionally, grading fee increases in 2026 have led collectors to carefully consider submission costs. Many are using AI-based pre-grading tools to estimate potential grades and avoid submitting cards unlikely to achieve top grades. Midpoint’s AI digital grading and centering measurement tools help collectors assess card condition before paying grading fees.

7. Notable Recent Football Card Sales and Record-Breaking Examples

September 2026 has featured several notable football card sales, including:

• Caleb Williams 2026 Topps Chrome PSA 10 selling for approximately $950, marking a high for his rookie edition.
• Joe Montana 1981 Topps PSA 10 reaching around $3,200, indicating strength in vintage cards.
• Josh Allen 2018 Topps Chrome PSA 10 fetching about $1,100, reflecting ongoing demand for established quarterbacks.

These sales provide reference points for collectors and investors considering market timing.

8. Week 1 and Early-Season NFL News Impacting Card Values

Early NFL season performances influence football card prices. Strong showings from rookies like Caleb Williams and Kyler Murray have supported price increases, while injuries or underperformance can reduce enthusiasm.

Collectors are encouraged to follow NFL updates closely, as football card prices can be volatile and responsive to real-time player news and sentiment.

9. Players and Cards Gaining Most in September 2026

Cards gaining value this month include:

• Caleb Williams: 2026 Topps Chrome and Flagship rookies up an estimated 18-25%.
• Josh Allen: 2018 Topps Chrome PSA 10 showing steady appreciation.
• Kyler Murray: 2019 Topps Chrome raw and PSA 10 cards with gains around 15-20%.
• Other QBs: Emerging players like C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence have seen modest but growing interest.

These trends highlight the premium placed on quarterback performance and rookie potential.

10. Buying, Selling Timing and Short-Term Volatility in the Football Card Market

Given the dynamic nature of football card prices in September 2026, collectors should time transactions carefully.

Short-term volatility is often high around NFL weeks featuring breakout performances or injuries. Buyers may find opportunities during brief price dips, while sellers can benefit from hype-driven peaks. Tools like Midpoint, which track portfolio value and provide digital pre-grading, can support informed decision-making.

Conclusion

The football card market in September 2026 remains active, with rookie quarterback interest and vintage card strength contributing to price appreciation. Topps Chrome and Flagship sets continue to lead collector interest, while grading premiums and supply constraints influence market behavior. Staying informed on player performance, grading trends, and utilizing AI-driven tools like Midpoint for card evaluation can help collectors navigate this market effectively.

FAQ

Q: Why are football card prices rising in September 2026?

A: Prices have risen due to strong rookie quarterback performances driving demand, vintage card appreciation, and supply limitations related to grading bottlenecks and fees.

Q: Which football cards are going up the most right now?

A: Rookie quarterback cards such as Caleb Williams 2026 Topps Chrome and Josh Allen 2018 Topps Chrome PSA 10 are among the leading gainers, along with high-grade vintage quarterback cards.

Q: Are rookie quarterback cards still a good buy in September 2026?

A: They remain attractive, especially for rookies with strong NFL starts. However, collectors should consider market volatility and use pre-grading tools to assess card condition before investing.

Q: How do grading fees and PSA 10 prices affect football card values?

A: Higher grading fees and backlogs can limit supply of top-grade cards, potentially increasing PSA 10 premiums. AI grading tools like Midpoint help collectors estimate grades and avoid unnecessary fees.

Q: Which football card sets are strongest this month, Topps Chrome or Topps Flagship?

A: Both sets are popular; Topps Chrome leads in premium rookie cards and autographs, while Topps Flagship is favored for affordability and broad player coverage.

Q: Are vintage football cards rising too, or only rookie cards?

A: Vintage cards, particularly high-grade quarterback cards like those of Joe Montana and Dan Marino, have also shown steady price increases alongside rookie card gains.