PSA’s grading backlog is moving in the right direction, but collectors waiting for cheaper grading options still have a reason to be patient. In its September 22, 2026 backlog update, PSA reported that its active global backlog had fallen to approximately 9 million items, down from 9.9 million on September 8. The update comes shortly after PSA launched its new Standard grading tier on September 14.
For Pokémon TCG collectors and anyone deciding whether to grade modern cards, the important story is not simply that PSA added another service level. The bigger issue is how the company is managing millions of existing submissions while attempting to reopen lower-cost grading without creating another major backlog.
Confirmed: PSA’s Backlog Fell to About 9 Million Items
According to PSA’s official Backlog Tracker, the active global backlog stood at approximately 9 million units on September 22. That is down roughly 900,000 from the 9.9 million PSA reported on September 8.
This is a meaningful improvement from earlier in the summer. PSA temporarily paused its Value tiers after a surge in submissions, and its backlog reached 12.4 million units in late July before beginning to decline again.
Confirmed fact: PSA says previously submitted Value and Bulk orders continue to receive priority over incoming Standard orders. Collectors using the new Standard service should therefore not interpret the declining backlog as meaning all older submissions have already been cleared.
What Is PSA’s New Standard Grading Tier?
PSA opened the Standard service level on September 14, 2026. The company lists the service at $59.99 per card, with an estimated turnaround time of 90–100 business days and a maximum insured value of $1,000 per card.
PSA says Standard was introduced as a lower-priced option that balances card value and turnaround time while the company gradually restores services. It is important to note that Standard does not replace PSA’s Value tiers.
Collectors can review PSA’s current service information on its official trading card grading page.
PSA Value and Value Bulk Are Still Paused
As of September 24, PSA’s lower-cost Value and Value Bulk services remain listed as temporarily unavailable. That matters especially for modern Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Union Arena and other TCG cards where the potential graded value may not justify a $59.99 grading fee.
For example, paying nearly $60 to grade a card that may only be worth $30–$50 in a mid-grade slab can quickly turn a collectible into a losing proposition. Collectors should compare the card’s raw value, realistic grade outcome, grading cost, shipping cost and likely graded sale price before submitting.
If you are comparing already graded cards instead, browse the Stratlock Collectibles TCG inventory, which includes raw and professionally graded collectibles as inventory changes.
Why PSA Paused the Cheaper Tiers in the First Place
PSA announced in late May that a 20% submission spike had added approximately 1.6 million cards to its backlog. The company then paused Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus and Value Max submissions beginning June 2.
Since then, PSA has expanded capacity and says its $200 million infrastructure investment has helped increase global production. PSA also opened a grading facility in Frankfurt, Germany, adding another major processing location to its network.
The latest backlog reduction suggests that additional capacity is having an effect, although a 9-million-item queue remains substantial.
What This Means for Pokémon and TCG Collectors
For collectors, there are three practical takeaways.
1. Do not assume cheaper PSA grading is back yet
The $59.99 Standard tier gives collectors another option, but it is materially more expensive than the paused Value services. Lower-value modern cards may still make more financial sense to keep raw, sell raw, or hold until less expensive submission options return.
2. Be selective about what you submit
Centering, corners, edges and surface condition still matter. A card that only makes financial sense as a PSA 10 should be evaluated carefully before paying grading and shipping costs. Stratlock’s recent guide on what to check before grading a Pokémon card covers the basic pre-grading decision process.
3. Existing graded cards may remain attractive to some buyers
When submission costs are elevated and turnaround times are long, buying an already graded example can remove grading uncertainty. That does not mean every slab is a good deal; collectors should still compare recent market sales and the premium attached to the grade.
For an example from current Stratlock inventory, see the Pikachu #58 Celebrations PSA 8.
Confirmed Facts vs. Market Speculation
Confirmed: PSA reported an approximately 9-million-unit active global backlog on September 22; Standard opened September 14 at $59.99 per card with a 90–100 business-day estimated turnaround; existing Value and Bulk submissions retain queue priority; and Value tiers remain paused.
Not confirmed: There is currently no announced date for the full reopening of PSA Value or Value Bulk submissions. Any specific reopening date circulating in collector groups should be treated as speculation unless PSA publishes it directly.
Likewise, it is too early to conclude that the new Standard tier will cause PSA-graded TCG card prices to rise or fall broadly. Slab prices depend on individual card demand, population, raw-card prices, set supply and buyer behavior—not grading availability alone.
What Collectors Should Watch Next
The most important number to watch is PSA’s backlog. PSA has said it plans to reopen additional service levels in phases as capacity improves. Continued declines over the next several backlog updates would strengthen the case that lower-cost services can eventually return without immediately overwhelming the grading pipeline again.
Until PSA announces that change, collectors should treat Value-tier reopening as an unresolved issue rather than a guaranteed near-term event.
Sources: PSA Backlog Tracker, updated September 22, 2026; PSA “Opens New Standard Service Level and Begins Grading in Europe,” published September 9, 2026. This article separates PSA-confirmed operational information from collector-market interpretation.