Baseball cards have been collected by fans for generations as a fun way to connect with their favorite players and teams. While dedicated card shops have long been the main source for collectors to find new packs and singles to add to their collections, in recent decades big box retailers like Walmart have emerged as major players in the baseball card market.

Walmart supercenters began stocking baseball (and other sports) card products in the late 1980s and early 1990s as the hobby experienced a resurgence. Finding cards on shelves at the same store families went to for groceries, clothing, and other essentials helped spark new interest in the pastime from younger generations just getting into the sport. Whereas specialty shops appealed more to serious enthusiasts, Walmart made cards widely accessible both physically and financially.

Today, the sporting goods or trading card aisle of any Walmart will have shelves stocked with various trading card products throughout the year. The largest assortment is available during the official release season from late winter through early summer for the upcoming major league baseball season. Walmart carries packs, boxes, and special collector’s sets from all the major card manufacturers including Topps, Panini, Leaf, and Upper Deck. Some exclusive Walmart-only items may also be found from time to time.

For collectors on a budget, loose packs of the current year’s flagship Topps Series 1, 2, and Update Series can usually be found for around $1-3 per pack depending on the size. Harder to find inserts and parallels have a chance of being pulled from these random pack purchases. Jumbo packs with more cards per pack are also a budget-friendly option available for around $5 usually containing over 20 cards instead of the standard 5-10.

Boxed sets of wax packs are a popular way for card collectors and kids alike to participate in group breaks. The standard 36-pack box runs $20-30 on Walmart shelves while special boxes with extra pack guarantees or autographed cards inside sell from $30-100 depending on the product. Breaking a whole box with friends means everyone gets to keep all the cards pulled from the packs.

Walmart also carries the more premium high-end limited edition release boxes from Topps, Panini, etc. Luxury boxes filled with autograph or memorabilia cards can run $100-500 though special one-of-one memorabilia boxes have sold for over $1000. These boxes are aimed more at serious adult collectors chasing the biggest hit cards. Display boxes that preserve the unopened packs and serve as a collectible display can also be found in the $50-150 range.

While the selection of individual hobby boxes or complete original team/player sets has been known to vary by store location and product availability, most supercenters will stock some options for sealed hobby box shopping. Usually found within the $50-200 price range, these boxes contain between 8-36 packs and are the preferred way for collectors chasing specific rookies, stars or inserts to target certain releases. Multi-box bundle discounts are also often offered around the holidays.

For those strictly seeking singles to complete an existing collection, loose card buying can be hit or miss depending on the thoroughness of the in-store sorting from pack searches. Commons can be had cheaply while more coveted stars or rookie cards may not turn up. Still, with such a large quantity of cards filtering in from opened packs over time, periodically checking the dollar and 25-cent bins remains a cards hunter’s ritual.

Much like the card shop experience of searching boxes and talking cards with fellow collectors, spending an afternoon flipping through the various Walmart options and maybe getting lucky on a bargain find is a fun way for families to bond over baseball. The convenience and lower prices at big box stores versus card shops have surely helped pass the baseball card collecting tradition to a new generation. And with annual seasonal restocks guaranteed, you can bet the shelves will be full come pack release time again this spring at your local Walmart.

While the focus will always remain on dedicated card shop supporting the hobby, mass retailers like Walmart play an important supplementary role in sustaining baseball card collecting’s popularity. With new card products and special local promotional deals each visit, the low-pressure environment encourages casual fans young and old to set aside a few dollars here and there towards building their favorite team’s collection. Whether seeking a quick pack or two fix for the ride home or digging for treasures among the commons, Walmart keeps the card collecting accessible and affordable for all.