The swap shops including in Birmingham trying to meet demand in the World Cup sticker hunt
Collectors are flocking to swap shops in Birmingham to trade stickers for the 2026 Panini World Cup album. With 980 stickers required to complete the collection, fans are using social media and in-person events to find missing pieces.
Why it matters
It highlights the enduring popularity of physical collectibles and the community-building aspect of hobbyist culture.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Annie Delaney Senior producer, in Birmingham BBC Zac was hunting high and low in the swap shop meet to find this sticker of Jean-Kévin Duverne You can almost smell the desire to get this mammoth task finished from Zac's family - as his mom, Michelle, said: "It's just taken over our lives."
She is very much not alone during this World Cup, when it comes to achieving that most coveted of prizes, a complete 2026 Panini World Cup album.
Mbappe, Kane, Haaland, Bellingham, Messi and Ronaldo… an elusive line-up on the pitch, but off it they are just as sought after by sticker book collectors.
"It's just been a bit crazy. You just end up doing crazy things, like driving all over the place," Michelle admits.
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