The trading card exchange frenzy was nonstop at the Iberian Card Show, with collectors swapping Panini cards throughout the event.
Barcelona once again became Spain’s premier hub for card collecting this weekend with the Iberian Card Show 2026, an event that underscored the unstoppable growth of a hobby once reserved for small niche groups but now drawing thousands of attendees as the industry expands by leaps and bounds.
Held at Fira Barcelona on May 9 and 10, the fair attracted around 6,000 visitors and occupied over 7,000 square meters of exhibition space, making it the most ambitious edition of the event to date.
The event was a resounding success at Fira Barcelona, featuring hundreds of vendor tables, grading companies, specialized shops, content creators, and collectors from across Spain and other European countries.
The global trading card phenomenon has been growing for years, especially since the pandemic, and the Iberian Card Show proves that Spain has fully embraced a trend that generates millions of dollars annually in markets like the United States. One of the biggest stars of the event was once again Pokémon, the franchise that maintains absolute dominance in the Spanish market, with the ever-friendly Pikachu as its emblem.
Ferran, owner of ‘Euro Soccer Cards’, was present at the event, showcasing his collection.
The growth of other products was also evident. Panini and Topps collections filled the tables, featuring footballers like Lamine Yamal, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi as the most sought-after cards among collectors. Meanwhile, vintage enthusiasts—like this writer—gravitated toward classic offerings, including early La Liga collections and Panini’s first World Cup album from 1970, where Pelé was the most coveted card.
Edu Expósito, Espanyol player, signed cards alongside Panini during the weekend.
The event also featured Panini, one of the historic brands in sports collecting, which set up its own stand. Former Barça player Julio Salinas, along with Espanyol’s Edu Expósito and Girona’s Iván Martín, stopped by to sign cards and spend time with fans, marking one of the fair’s most notable actions for football and sports card enthusiasts.
Content creators such as Iker Ruiz ‘Elefútbol’, ‘Cacho01’, and ‘Davileti’—all key figures in the Spanish trading card and sports card community—also made appearances. The growth of the Iberian Card Show clearly reflects the consolidation of a collecting event circuit in Spain.
Without a doubt, the Iberian Card Show has taken another leap in size and organization. What began as a relatively small gathering of enthusiasts has transformed into a massive event that now stands shoulder to shoulder with some of Europe’s major fairs in the sector. And if you’re a card fan and missed this one, don’t worry: the circuit will continue, with a next edition on the horizon.