7 MIN READ
Top 3 Trading Card Games To Collect in 2026

Bryson Sellers
Co-Founder & Creative Director


7 MIN READ
Top 3 Trading Card Games To Collect in 2026

Bryson Sellers
Co-Founder & Creative Director


Where cards become culture
Some of our best friendships didn’t start with small talk. They started with a deck of cards on a table. While gaming today often lives online, there’s still something irreplaceable about the bonds formed through shared obsession, friendly rivalries, and trading cards passed hand to hand. In this blog, we’re spotlighting three trading card games that aren’t just growing in popularity, but are quietly building the kinds of communities that stick. These are the TCGs we believe are on track to become household names by 2026.

Where cards become culture
Some of our best friendships didn’t start with small talk. They started with a deck of cards on a table. While gaming today often lives online, there’s still something irreplaceable about the bonds formed through shared obsession, friendly rivalries, and trading cards passed hand to hand. In this blog, we’re spotlighting three trading card games that aren’t just growing in popularity, but are quietly building the kinds of communities that stick. These are the TCGs we believe are on track to become household names by 2026.

#3 One Piece TCG
What is One Piece TCG?
It is a competitive trading card game based on the globally adored anime and manga One Piece. It serves the anime fans, competitive TCG players and long-term franchise loyalists who want to engage with other series enthusiasts in a strategic, tactile way.
Who Built it?
The One Piece TCG is published and developed by Bandai Namco, a company that knows a thing or two about turning beloved franchises into long-lasting play experiences. Thanks to the massive global fandom behind the One Piece universe, newcomers don’t have to search far to jump in. Local game stores, online communities, and content creators have already built welcoming on-ramps into the game. On the competitive side, it has quickly earned a reputation as a tournament favorite, balancing fast-paced matches with mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master. In other words: it’s approachable enough to start playing tonight, but deep enough to keep you showing up week after week
How does it work?
Players build decks around iconic characters like Luffy, Zoro, Kaido, etc. Each deck leverages a leader card that defines the playstyle. The game blends fast-paced strategy with character-driven mechanics, rewarding both skill and fandom knowledge.
#3 One Piece TCG
What is One Piece TCG?
It is a competitive trading card game based on the globally adored anime and manga One Piece. It serves the anime fans, competitive TCG players and long-term franchise loyalists who want to engage with other series enthusiasts in a strategic, tactile way.
Who Built it?
The One Piece TCG is published and developed by Bandai Namco, a company that knows a thing or two about turning beloved franchises into long-lasting play experiences. Thanks to the massive global fandom behind the One Piece universe, newcomers don’t have to search far to jump in. Local game stores, online communities, and content creators have already built welcoming on-ramps into the game. On the competitive side, it has quickly earned a reputation as a tournament favorite, balancing fast-paced matches with mechanics that are easy to learn but hard to master. In other words: it’s approachable enough to start playing tonight, but deep enough to keep you showing up week after week
How does it work?
Players build decks around iconic characters like Luffy, Zoro, Kaido, etc. Each deck leverages a leader card that defines the playstyle. The game blends fast-paced strategy with character-driven mechanics, rewarding both skill and fandom knowledge.
Why is One Piece TCG on this list?
One Piece proves how legacy IPs can successfully re-enter the collectibles space while energizing a new generation of fans and players with simple but effective and entertaining gameplay.
What's our long term view?
We see the One Piece TCG as proof that story-first universes don’t just survive, but rather compound. With decades of manga, anime, films and games feeding into a single shared mythology, the card game benefits from a content engine that just keeps going. That momentum only accelerates as new audiences discover the world through Netflix’s live action adaptation, pulling in fans who may have never touched a booster pack before. Also when moments like actor Mackenyu Arata (Zoro) placing third in a competitive One Piece TCG tournament start circulating online, it reinforces that this fandom extends well beyond the page or a TV screen. In 2026 we expect One Piece TCG to feel less like a niche collectible and more like a cultural constant.

Why is One Piece TCG on this list?
One Piece proves how legacy IPs can successfully re-enter the collectibles space while energizing a new generation of fans and players with simple but effective and entertaining gameplay.
What's our long term view?
We see the One Piece TCG as proof that story-first universes don’t just survive, but rather compound. With decades of manga, anime, films and games feeding into a single shared mythology, the card game benefits from a content engine that just keeps going. That momentum only accelerates as new audiences discover the world through Netflix’s live action adaptation, pulling in fans who may have never touched a booster pack before. Also when moments like actor Mackenyu Arata (Zoro) placing third in a competitive One Piece TCG tournament start circulating online, it reinforces that this fandom extends well beyond the page or a TV screen. In 2026 we expect One Piece TCG to feel less like a niche collectible and more like a cultural constant.

Why is One Piece TCG on this list?
One Piece proves how legacy IPs can successfully re-enter the collectibles space while energizing a new generation of fans and players with simple but effective and entertaining gameplay.
What's our long term view?
We see the One Piece TCG as proof that story-first universes don’t just survive, but rather compound. With decades of manga, anime, films and games feeding into a single shared mythology, the card game benefits from a content engine that just keeps going. That momentum only accelerates as new audiences discover the world through Netflix’s live action adaptation, pulling in fans who may have never touched a booster pack before. Also when moments like actor Mackenyu Arata (Zoro) placing third in a competitive One Piece TCG tournament start circulating online, it reinforces that this fandom extends well beyond the page or a TV screen. In 2026 we expect One Piece TCG to feel less like a niche collectible and more like a cultural constant.

#2 VeeFriends TCG
What is VeeFriends TCG?
VeeFriends is a modern TCG born from Web3 culture, built around personal growth, entrepreneurship, and creator-led communities. It serves collectors who value access, values, and meaning as much as rarity.
Who built it?
The VeeFriends TCG was created by Gary Vaynerchuk and launched in 2022 as a way to translate the energy of Web3 and NFTs into something far more tangible and playable. Produced in partnership with experienced tabletop manufacturers, the game was designed to meet collectors where they already were, while also bringing in families and first time players who might be curious about the world of NFTs. At its core, VeeFriends pulls inspiration from classic TCG mechanics, modern creator culture, and self development themes, wrapping them all in hand-drawn characters that feel more notebook doodles than corporate mascot. The result is a community made up of entrepreneurs, collectors, parents and fans who aren’t just playing a game. They’re buying into a shared language of values, access and long-term participation.
How does it work?
The VeeFriends TCG blends traditional deck-building with modern “keys, not just cards” thinking. Players collect physical cards featuring VeeFriends characters, each with traits, rarity levels, and strategic abilities that shape how decks are built and played. Certain cards connect to digital counterparts that unlock access to events, exclusive content, and real-world experiences. In this way, collecting becomes a way to stay active in the VeeFriends ecosystem rather than just chasing wins or perfect combos.
#2 VeeFriends TCG
What is VeeFriends TCG?
VeeFriends is a modern TCG born from Web3 culture, built around personal growth, entrepreneurship, and creator-led communities. It serves collectors who value access, values, and meaning as much as rarity.
Who built it?
The VeeFriends TCG was created by Gary Vaynerchuk and launched in 2022 as a way to translate the energy of Web3 and NFTs into something far more tangible and playable. Produced in partnership with experienced tabletop manufacturers, the game was designed to meet collectors where they already were, while also bringing in families and first time players who might be curious about the world of NFTs. At its core, VeeFriends pulls inspiration from classic TCG mechanics, modern creator culture, and self development themes, wrapping them all in hand-drawn characters that feel more notebook doodles than corporate mascot. The result is a community made up of entrepreneurs, collectors, parents and fans who aren’t just playing a game. They’re buying into a shared language of values, access and long-term participation.
How does it work?
The VeeFriends TCG blends traditional deck-building with modern “keys, not just cards” thinking. Players collect physical cards featuring VeeFriends characters, each with traits, rarity levels, and strategic abilities that shape how decks are built and played. Certain cards connect to digital counterparts that unlock access to events, exclusive content, and real-world experiences. In this way, collecting becomes a way to stay active in the VeeFriends ecosystem rather than just chasing wins or perfect combos.
Why is VeeFriends TCG on this list?
VeeFriends represents a new collectible model where the cards serve as community keys, not just playable objects. We love what VeeFriends in doing both in the physical and digital collectors space and a have a particular affinity for their multi-generational, nostalgia aware approach to building a lasting product.
What's our long term view?
What sets VeeFreinds apart is that its value doesn’t stop at the card edge. From day one, the brand has treated collectibles as relationship builders and tools for unlocking access to real world experiences over time. While more established IPs rely on decades of lore, VeeFriends is actively writing its story alongside it’s community, evolving in real time rather than looking backward. In 2026 and beyond, we expect this unique approach to become far more common, making VeeFriends one of the clearest trendsetters in the modern collectibles space despite being the youngest IP on this list.

Why is VeeFriends TCG on this list?
VeeFriends represents a new collectible model where the cards serve as community keys, not just playable objects. We love what VeeFriends in doing both in the physical and digital collectors space and a have a particular affinity for their multi-generational, nostalgia aware approach to building a lasting product.
What's our long term view?
What sets VeeFreinds apart is that its value doesn’t stop at the card edge. From day one, the brand has treated collectibles as relationship builders and tools for unlocking access to real world experiences over time. While more established IPs rely on decades of lore, VeeFriends is actively writing its story alongside it’s community, evolving in real time rather than looking backward. In 2026 and beyond, we expect this unique approach to become far more common, making VeeFriends one of the clearest trendsetters in the modern collectibles space despite being the youngest IP on this list.

Why is VeeFriends TCG on this list?
VeeFriends represents a new collectible model where the cards serve as community keys, not just playable objects. We love what VeeFriends in doing both in the physical and digital collectors space and a have a particular affinity for their multi-generational, nostalgia aware approach to building a lasting product.
What's our long term view?
What sets VeeFreinds apart is that its value doesn’t stop at the card edge. From day one, the brand has treated collectibles as relationship builders and tools for unlocking access to real world experiences over time. While more established IPs rely on decades of lore, VeeFriends is actively writing its story alongside it’s community, evolving in real time rather than looking backward. In 2026 and beyond, we expect this unique approach to become far more common, making VeeFriends one of the clearest trendsetters in the modern collectibles space despite being the youngest IP on this list.

#1 Disney Lorcana
What is Disney Lorcana?
Disney Lorcana is a narrative-driven TCG that blends classic Disney characters with original fantasy lore. It serves families, lifelong Disney fans, casual collectors, and new TCG players.
Who Built it?
Disney Lorcana was created by Ravensburger in close partnership with Disney, combining Ravensburger’s decades of tabletop expertise with one of the most powerful storytelling brands on the planet. Officially released in 2023, the game was designed to slot seamlessly into the wider Disney ecosystem where fandom already thrives across generations. Disney hasn’t been subtle about this either: Lorcana shows up in exclusive gift sets, park -adjacent releases, and even organized play and meetups aboard Disney Cruise Line, where trading cards coexist peacefully with character meet and greets. The result is a TCG that works as a family friendly extension of the Disney universe where grandparents, parents, and kids can laugh, sing and play together.
How does it work?
Players take on the role of “Illumineers,” using ink-based mechanics to summon characters and progress a shared story world. Accessibility, clarity, and lore are central to its design.
#1 Disney Lorcana
What is Disney Lorcana?
Disney Lorcana is a narrative-driven TCG that blends classic Disney characters with original fantasy lore. It serves families, lifelong Disney fans, casual collectors, and new TCG players.
Who Built it?
Disney Lorcana was created by Ravensburger in close partnership with Disney, combining Ravensburger’s decades of tabletop expertise with one of the most powerful storytelling brands on the planet. Officially released in 2023, the game was designed to slot seamlessly into the wider Disney ecosystem where fandom already thrives across generations. Disney hasn’t been subtle about this either: Lorcana shows up in exclusive gift sets, park -adjacent releases, and even organized play and meetups aboard Disney Cruise Line, where trading cards coexist peacefully with character meet and greets. The result is a TCG that works as a family friendly extension of the Disney universe where grandparents, parents, and kids can laugh, sing and play together.
How does it work?
Players take on the role of “Illumineers,” using ink-based mechanics to summon characters and progress a shared story world. Accessibility, clarity, and lore are central to its design.
Why is Disney Lorcana on this list?
Disney Lorcana demonstrates how approachable design, addictive game mechanics and generationally trusted IP can bring entirely new audiences into TCG culture.
What is our long term view?
We believe that Disney Lorcana creates a whole new world within their 100 year old IP that will explode in growth this year and beyond. The game presents a new opportunity to keep aging audiences deeply engaged with the brand while also supporting a new type of entry point for younger audiences. We personally can’t wait to watch the first Disney Lorcana tournament streamed live from Disney Land on Disney Plus within the next decade.

Why is Disney Lorcana on this list?
Disney Lorcana demonstrates how approachable design, addictive game mechanics and generationally trusted IP can bring entirely new audiences into TCG culture.
What is our long term view?
We believe that Disney Lorcana creates a whole new world within their 100 year old IP that will explode in growth this year and beyond. The game presents a new opportunity to keep aging audiences deeply engaged with the brand while also supporting a new type of entry point for younger audiences. We personally can’t wait to watch the first Disney Lorcana tournament streamed live from Disney Land on Disney Plus within the next decade.

Why is Disney Lorcana on this list?
Disney Lorcana demonstrates how approachable design, addictive game mechanics and generationally trusted IP can bring entirely new audiences into TCG culture.
What is our long term view?
We believe that Disney Lorcana creates a whole new world within their 100 year old IP that will explode in growth this year and beyond. The game presents a new opportunity to keep aging audiences deeply engaged with the brand while also supporting a new type of entry point for younger audiences. We personally can’t wait to watch the first Disney Lorcana tournament streamed live from Disney Land on Disney Plus within the next decade.

TCG communities are eating good this year
Together, these three TCGs reveal very different, but equally powerful pages forward: legacy fandoms that never slow down, creator-led ecosystems built on shared values, and story-first worlds designed to welcome everyone to the table. They’re not just games to watch in 2026: they’re communities worth joining. If there's one thing we hope you take away, it’s that modern collectibles like these aren’t just things you own, they’re platforms for connection, creativity, and belonging. Thanks for spending some time with us, and if you’re curious where collectibles, motion and interactivity collide next, explore our related blogs and keep collecting with intention.

TCG communities are eating good this year
Together, these three TCGs reveal very different, but equally powerful pages forward: legacy fandoms that never slow down, creator-led ecosystems built on shared values, and story-first worlds designed to welcome everyone to the table. They’re not just games to watch in 2026: they’re communities worth joining. If there's one thing we hope you take away, it’s that modern collectibles like these aren’t just things you own, they’re platforms for connection, creativity, and belonging. Thanks for spending some time with us, and if you’re curious where collectibles, motion and interactivity collide next, explore our related blogs and keep collecting with intention.

Created by
Bryson Sellers
Date Posted:
Jan 31, 2026
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