PSA backlog falls to 9.9 million
PSA’s September 8 tracker update shows the backlog down 1 million units in two weeks. Value tiers are still paused, but PSA says a reopening could be evaluated this month.
By Jamie Budesky · Published September 8, 2026
In short
PSA's backlog tracker shows 9.9 million units on September 8, 2026, down from 10.9 million on August 25. PSA says that if the pace holds it will be in position to evaluate reopening a service tier this month. Value tiers remain paused, so do not ship cards for a tier that has not reopened.
What PSA posted on September 8
PSA's Backlog Tracker update dated September 8, 2026 reads: “Our active grading backlog is down to 9.9 million units, from 10.9 million reported August 25. The teams at all five grading hubs have kept the pace up, and if that holds we'll be in position to evaluate reopening a Service tier this month.”
That is a drop of about 1 million units in two weeks, and 2.5 million below the 12.4 million PSA reported on July 28.
How we got here
| Tracker update | Active backlog | What PSA said |
|---|---|---|
| June 2 | Approaching 10M | Value tiers paused after a 20% spike in submissions |
| June 30 | ~12M | Trending down |
| July 14 | 11M | Output accelerating |
| July 28 | 12.4M | Fifth facility opens in Plano, Texas |
| Aug 11 | 11.85M | July set a monthly graded-units record |
| Aug 25 | ~10.9M | Steady output across five hubs |
| Sept 8 | 9.9M | Could evaluate reopening a service tier this month |
In its June 2 update, PSA said it projected 5 to 6 months to reach its target of 5 million units, said it was moving forward with a $200 million investment to increase capacity, and said the pause “is tied strictly to operational milestones, not arbitrary dates.” At 9.9 million, the backlog is still 4.9 million units above that target.
What it means for your submission
- Value is still paused. PSA says it may evaluate reopening a service tier this month. It has not said which tier, at what price, or when. Our PSA Value pause explainer covers what is open today.
- Do not ship cards on the assumption that a tier will reopen. Wait for PSA to publish the tier, price and turnaround.
- Use the wait to sort your cards. When a cheaper tier does reopen, the cards you have already screened are ready to go. Our PSA grading cost breakdown and backlog tracker roundup help with the math.
Get your list ready before a tier reopens
When PSA reopens a cheaper tier, the collectors with screened cards move first. CardGrade gives you a photo-based pre-screen of visible condition so you can decide which cards are worth the fee. It is not an official grade, authentication or appraisal, and CardGrade is not affiliated with PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC or TAG. Try a pre-screen
What we could not confirm
- Which service tier PSA may reopen, and at what price.
- How PSA counts “units” (for example, whether non-card items are included).
- How the backlog splits across PSA's five hubs.
Sources
- PSA Backlog Tracker (September 8, 2026 update, plus June 2 to August 25, 2026 updates)
Frequently asked questions
What is the PSA backlog right now?
PSA’s September 8, 2026 tracker update puts its active grading backlog at 9.9 million units, down from 10.9 million on August 25.
When will PSA reopen Value?
PSA has not given a date. On September 8 it said that if the current pace holds it will be in position to evaluate reopening a service tier this month, without naming the tier.
Why did PSA pause Value tiers?
PSA paused Value tiers on June 2, 2026 after a 20% spike in submissions pushed its backlog toward 10 million units.
What is PSA’s backlog target?
In its June 2 update PSA set a target of bringing the backlog down to 5 million units and said it expected that to take 5 to 6 months.
How often does PSA update the backlog tracker?
PSA says the tracker is updated biweekly using the same data reviewed by PSA management.