Lego and Brick Collector Secondary Market — 2026-09-08
The LEGO Group’s record H1 2026 financial results, with revenue up 21%, are reshaping collector expectations for upcoming sets, while the September wave of new releases—including the Batman Returns Batmobile and Star Trek Enterprise—has already begun influencing resale listings. Meanwhile, the "retiring soon" list has shrunk to just 20 sets, with many discounted 20–40%, signaling a strategic shift in inventory clearance that impacts secondary market entry points.
Lego and Brick Collector Secondary Market — 2026-09-08
Top developments
LEGO Group H1 2026 Results Signal Strong Demand at Both Price Extremes
The LEGO Group reported a 21% increase in revenue to DKK 41.9 billion (US$6.54 bn) and a 22% rise in operating profit for the first half of 2026. CEO Niels Christiansen highlighted strong sales across both high-end and value-priced segments, indicating that the secondary market's reliance on premium sets remains supported by robust primary demand. This financial strength suggests continued investment in licensed IP and large-scale collector sets, which are key drivers of long-term appreciation in the resale market.
September 2026 New Releases Include High-Demand Licensed Sets
LEGO launched its September 2026 lineup on September 1, featuring highly anticipated sets such as the Tim Burton Batman Returns Batmobile (76355), the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge (11385), and SpongeBob SquarePants: Bikini Bottom (11386). These releases, heavily driven by popular culture licenses, are expected to see immediate secondary market activity as collectors compete for limited initial stock. The release of the Shrek Minifigure Collectible Series also taps into nostalgia-driven demand, a consistent trend in the adult fan segment.
"Retiring Soon" List Shrinks to 20 Sets with Significant Discounts
As of early September 2026, LEGO’s official "Retiring Soon" list has been reduced to just 20 sets, with many available at discounts ranging from 20% to 40%. This aggressive clearance strategy aims to clear retail inventory before the December retirement wave, potentially delaying immediate price spikes in the secondary market but offering resellers low-cost entry points into future appreciated assets. Collectors should monitor these discounts as they represent the final opportunity to acquire these sets at below-retail prices before they enter the scarcity-driven appreciation phase.
Chinese "Clone Brick" Industry Faces Regulatory Pressure and Market Shifts
Recent coverage from Chinese media highlights the ongoing impact of strict intellectual property enforcement on the domestic brick industry, following landmark cases like the "Lepin" infringement ruling which resulted in fines exceeding RMB 300 million. While low-cost clones remain popular, the market is shifting toward brands with original designs to avoid legal risks, altering the competitive landscape for affordable building blocks that often serve as entry-level alternatives to LEGO products. This regulatory tightening may reduce the volume of counterfeit goods in global secondary markets, potentially increasing the relative value of authentic retired sets.
Local view
German-language outlets such as Stonewars.de and Brick-Tracker.de have extensively covered the September 2026 new releases, focusing on the pricing and availability of exclusive sets like the Batmobile and SpongeBob sets. These platforms provide detailed price comparisons and highlight the immediate consumer interest in these new licensed products, which serves as a leading indicator for secondary market demand. Additionally, Giga.de reported on the rising value of specific minifigures, noting that some rare figures now command prices comparable to used cars, reflecting the intense speculation in the micro-collector segment.
Context & numbers
- H1 2026 Revenue: DKK 41.9 billion (US$6.54 bn), up 21% year-over-year.
- Operating Profit Growth: Up 22% in H1 2026.
- Retiring Soon Discounts: Current discounts on retiring sets range from 20% to 40%.
- Historical Appreciation Data: Retired sets commonly see an average appreciation of 35% or more in the first twelve months post-retirement, with some UCS and Modular Building sets seeing 200% to 500% appreciation over longer periods.
On the radar
- BrickCon 2025th Anniversary: The 25th annual BrickCon convention is scheduled for September 12-13, 2026, in Bellevue, Washington. This event typically showcases original adult creations and can influence trends in custom builds and MOC (My Own Creation) markets.
- LEGO Fan Expo Nashville: Scheduled for October 3-4, 2026, this event will feature special guests and vendor zones, potentially driving local secondary market activity and new collector acquisitions.
- December Retirement Wave: Industry analysts anticipate a second, larger wave of set retirements in December 2026, which will likely trigger increased resale activity and price adjustments for affected sets in Q4.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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