Here's what fans want from your next collectibles launch

EQL surveyed more than 800+ collectibles fans to find out what they want more of (and less of) from launches in 2026. Fill out the form below to get the full report.

EQL is trusted by the world's best collectible brands.
Hand holding phone showing a report titled 'Drop Signals 2026: Collectibles' with a green robot sketch.

A great launch doesn't end at sell-through

The best launches create anticipation, reward the people who care most, and give fans a reason to come back. That's how drop moments become momentum.

What today's collectors are telling brands

Today's collectors aren't casual. They're building routines around the brands they love, with more than half buying weekly or daily.

From sealed boxes to live breaks, trading cards continue to command collector attention and shape the culture around them.

Bots, site crashes, and checkout failures leave lasting impressions. Fairness and trust matter more than ever.

Collectors want launches they can believe in and experiences that recognize the fans who keep showing up.

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80%

say fairness drives loyalty.
Fans remember when they get a genuine shot.

57%

have left after one bad launch.
How you launch matters as much as what you launch.

Keep

the launch

fair

Keep

the trust

alive

Built to plug in to your stack quickly and hold up when demand peaks. Whether you're launching through EQL or our Shopify app, setup is quick and easy. Behind the scenes, our tech is ensuring product reaches real fans, and creating the kind of experience that builds loyalty long after the drop.

“It let us focus on delivering an unforgettable fan experience—without getting bogged down in tech.”

Mike Armstrong, SVP, Fanatics Events
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