Replay Sports Cards Expands National Trading Card Franchise for Modern Collectors and Investors

Replay Sports Cards is tapping into one of the fastest-growing categories in modern collectibles, the evolution of trading cards from childhood keepsakes into serious, data-driven investment assets. As the global trading card market surges from $14.9 billion in 2023 to a projected $52.1 billion by 2034, Replay positions itself as the first national franchise. The Replay Sports Cards franchise is built to modernize, unify, and scale the local card shop experience for a new generation of hobbyists, investors, and entrepreneurs.

A New Era: Trading Cards as a High-Growth Alternative Asset

To start, the release emphasizes an important truth: trading cards have become one of the decade’s most compelling alternative asset classes. Record-breaking auction prices, like the $1.1 million Paul Skenes rookie debut patch, have pushed the category into mainstream financial conversations. Meanwhile, livestream selling platforms such as WhatNot and TikTok Shop have transformed card breaks and real-time auctions into billion-dollar engines of online commerce.

Replay Sports Cards sits squarely at the intersection of sports culture, market speculation, and digital engagement. Today’s collectors now behave more like analysts, tracking comps, monitoring grading populations, analysing player performance, and making buy-sell decisions with portfolio-level discipline. In this environment, cards no longer function as simple memorabilia; instead, they operate like tangible, culture-connected assets linked to scarcity and real-world performance.

Co-Founder Mike Weinberger describes the shift perfectly:

“The rise of trading cards mirrors the evolution of digital stocks in the 2000s – only this time, it’s physical assets tied to culture, nostalgia, and scarcity.”

Bringing Standardization to a Fragmented Industry

While trading cards have grown explosively, local card shops have remained highly inconsistent. Replay aims to change that by delivering national-brand consistency without losing the community spirit that defines the hobby.

The franchise delivers:

• Standardized operations and customer experience

• Grading and authentication support

• Uniform community events such as trade nights and youth programs

This consistency matters now more than ever. As higher-value cards enter circulation and institutional money flows into the space, collectors need professional, trustworthy, and repeatable systems. Replay intends to become the Starbucks or Apple Store of trading cards, where customers know exactly what experience to expect, no matter the city.

The Financialization of Fandom

Replay’s strategy also aligns with a major cultural trend: the blending of passion and profit. Modern collectors treat cards as both emotional artifacts and financial opportunities. Whether they are reselling singles, running livestream breaks, or managing inventory like small business operators, today’s hobbyists are active participants in a booming micro-economy.

Co-Founder Brent Schepel captures this shift clearly:

“The average collector today isn’t just chasing nostalgia – they’re tracking markets.”

Replay already has traction in major sports regions such as Denver, Charlotte, and Boca Raton, with a goal of 101 locations in development within three years. This signals a move toward true national scale while the category is still accelerating.

Key Momentum Metrics

Replay highlights several headline numbers that reinforce its growth strategy:

• $52.1B projected global trading card market by 2034

• 1+ million cards donated to youth programs

• Multiple active markets, including Denver, Charlotte, and Boca Raton

• 101-store expansion target within three years

The brand’s “Replay Gives Back” initiative strengthens its community identity, bringing kids into the hobby early and reinforcing Replay’s role as steward of the culture.

Built for Holiday Demand and Omnichannel Commerce

Seasonality is a major factor in the card industry, and Replay’s franchisees are well-positioned to capitalize on it. Q4 historically drives massive traffic to hobby shops, with families shopping for sealed wax boxes, collectors seeking rare singles, and investors targeting high-value slabs.

Replay’s tech infrastructure supports both:

• In-store retail (wax, singles, graded cards, supplies)

• Online livestream sales (breaks and auctions that can sell out in minutes)

This dual model connects local card culture to digital momentum, a critical advantage in today’s hybrid retail landscape.

A Turnkey Franchise Opportunity in a $52B Market

Replay frames its franchise as a modern, turnkey entry point into a booming but under-franchised industry. Owners receive:

• Full operational playbooks for buy-sell-trade-grade

• Inventory and pricing technology

• Brand-level marketing

• Templates for outreach and community events

Co-Founder Mike Martin sums up their vision:

“We’re building the Apple of trading cards: a familiar, trusted experience that connects the passion of the hobby with the professionalism of a national brand.”

In that sense, Replay isn’t simply selling products; it’s building an ecosystem designed for long-term scalability.

Final Thoughts

Replay Sports Cards isn’t just announcing a franchise expansion; it’s outlining the future of the trading card marketplace. With trading cards emerging as both cultural icons and financial assets, the industry needs consistency, trust, innovation, and structure. Replay is positioning itself to deliver exactly that.

For entrepreneurs, the brand offers a chance to enter a fast-growing, emotionally resonant category with national support.
For collectors and investors, it promises a polished, reliable, and community-driven experience tailored for the modern $52.1 billion trading card economy.