RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN POP CULTURE LICENSED MERCHANDISE & EXPERIENCES
VOTED ON BY FANS & INDUSTRY PROS
Presented by The Pop Insider, The Collectors’ Choice Awards recognize excellence in licensed merchandise in the world of pop culture. This first-in-kind award program highlights mass-produced licensed products, limited-edition drops, Comic Con-exclusive collectibles, and multi-brand collaborations.
From toys and art statues to apparel and home goods, The Collectors’ Choice Awards features the best officially licensed merch, brands, and experiences of the year, as voted on by a panel of industry experts and pop culture fanatics.
More than 25,000 fans voted in the inaugural awards, showing their support to the brands, companies, products, and experiences they love most. “The Collectors’ Choice Awards are all about giving fans a voice,” says Marissa Silva, Editor-in-Chief of The Pop Insider. “More than 25,000 fans voted to determine this year’s winners, proving just how passionate collectors are about the products, collaborations, and experiences that bring their favorite fandoms to life.”
This year’s awards program also introduces the Collectors’ Choice Fan Awards, a special group of awards dedicated to the people who make a difference in fandoms of all kinds. Cosplayers, collectors, and other fans can nominate themselves or their fellow fans for a reduced fee of $10.
The 2026 awards kick off Sept. 15, 2026.
THE CATEGORIES
The Collectors’ Choice Awards features 25 total categories, including an overall Collectors’ Choice Award and the new Fan Awards. While most of the awards focus on specific product launches, some categories highlight companies, events, designers, and more. See the complete list of categories below.
INDUSTRY CATEGORIES
- Best Overall Collectible Line (action figures, statues, replicas, and more!)
- Best High-End Collectible (premium figures, statues, replicas valued at $200+)
- Best Action Figure Line (1:6-scale figures, 3.75-inch scale figures, and more that are part of a set, line, or series)
- Best Individual Collectible (standalone or one-off collectibles that aren’t a part of a specific line or series)
- Best Blind Box Collection (mystery boxes and surprise collectibles)
- Best Prop Replica (collectibles based on props and other items from a franchise)
- Best Apparel Collection (capsule collections, licensed apparel)
- Best Home Goods Line (kitchenware, decor, furniture, etc.)
- Best Tabletop Gaming Collab (board games, tabletop accessories)
- Best Fandom Collab (a crossover or unique licensing deal involving two or more brands)
- Best Accessory Line (jewelry, watches, bags, makeup, etc.)
- Best Con Exclusive (limited to SDCC, NYCC, and other con-exclusive collectibles)
- Best Limited-Edition Drop (collectibles produced in a quantity of 1,000 or fewer)
- Best Branded Experience (permanent installation, interactive experience, or limited activation featuring a brand or IP)
- Licensing Program of the Year (licensors)
- Merch Maker of the Year (licensees)
- Retailer of the Year (key fandom merch shopping destinations, online and/or brick-and-mortar)
- The Underdog Award (small businesses and industry members who make a difference)
- Breakout Hit of the Year (up-and-coming brands and collectibles that hit the scene)
- Designer of the Year (recognizing designers behind the merch)
FAN CATEGORIES
- Cosplayer of the Year (a cosplayer who has made an impact on their fandom and community)
- Cosplay Group of the Year (a cosplay group that has made an impact on their fandom and community)
- Fan of the Year (a fan who has made an impact on their fandom and community)
- Fan Group of the Year (highlights a non-cosplay fan group that has made an impact on their fandom and community)
- Collector of the Year (a fan with an expansive and iconic collection)
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Collectors’ Choice Awards is a unique, new awards program that encourages both industry participation and fan voting. The finalists and winners will be heavily featured on thepopinsider.com, on @thepopinsider’s Instagram and TikTok, and within the pages of an upcoming print issue of The Pop Insider.
The judging process and timeline will be as follows:
- Sept. 15-Oct. 30: NOMINATION PERIOD: Manufacturers, retailers, designers, publicists, marketing agents and more nominate the best products, experiences, and more for a Collectors’ Choice Award.
- Early bird discount: $150 per nomination through Oct. 1
- $200 per nomination Oct. 2-30
- $10 per Fan Award nomination
- Nov. 16-30: FINALIST SELECTION: A panel of 20 industry professionals from the worlds of licensing, pop culture, and entertainment, including licensing agents, journalists, influencers, industry vets, and retailers, will vote to determine 6-8 finalists in each category.
- Dec. 7: FINALIST ANNOUNCEMENT
- Jan. 18-Feb. 28: FAN & INDUSTRY VOTING: Public voting opens! Fans and industry professionals will vote for their favorite fandom-forward products, experiences, and more.
- March 17: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS: Awards will be presented for the 2026 Collectors’ Choice Award Winners
The world of licensed merchandise moves fast — products launch, trends peak, and even the most incredible creations can get lost in the shuffle. We created the Collectors’ Choice Awards to give those standout pieces the lasting recognition they deserve — to make sure they live on not just on collectors’ shelves, but in the spotlight where they belong.”
JUST THE FAQS
What types of products, experiences, etc. are eligible?
Products and experiences should be available/take place between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026.
We accept all types of products from all categories.
If your product/company/experience is not technically “licensed” but features an original IP, that is totally fine and acceptable!
Who can nominate a product, experience, company, or individual for a Collectors’ Choice Award?
Easy answer — anyone! Anyone is free to nominate anyone or anything for any of the categories listed. There is no guarantee any nomination will be a finalist or winner.
What do the winners receive?
In addition to supreme bragging rights, Collectors’ Choice Award Winners will receive a free-to-use seal for use on any physical or digital assets; a trophy; and promotion within a print issue of The Pop Insider, digital and social features, press releases, and more.
Winners will also likely enjoy retail and sales advantages, industry credibility, and more. This isn’t just a one-time honor. Your award seal becomes an evergreen marketing tool, boosting your brand reputation and product legacy for years to come.
Why is there a submission fee?
The submission fee is designed to cover the costs of running an award program of this magnitude, support marketing efforts, and more. A portion of all submissions fees will also be donated.
I am a fan, how do I vote?
Welcome, welcome, welcome. Voting opens on Jan. 18, because it’s nice to have something to look forward to in the dead of winter. We will send out the voting link closer to that date!
Why are you launching an awards program?
Licensed collectibles in the world of pop culture are unique in that, often, these collabs live on for decades on collectors’ shelves and in closets, but Collectors’ Choice Awards helps give immediate, deserved recognition to products, experiences, designers, and companies. The awards will live on long after collections and limited-edition drops sell out. And when it comes to fandom, sales are not everything. We will celebrate minute design details, unique elements, creativity, and more.
Also: It’ll be really fun!
Who is on the finalist voting committee?
Well, if we tell you, then we’d have to… you get it.
We will keep the judges’ information private to protect the integrity of the awards. Rest assured this is a well-vetted panel of insiders, including licensing execs, retailers, influencers, and journalists in the toy, licensing, and entertainment space.
What if we missed the nomination deadline?
Then you’re too late! Well… OK… maybe we can help you. We do love to make magic happen, after all. Just email Ashley for help: ashley@popinsider.com
OK but you STILL haven’t answered my question.
OK no problem, we’re happy to help! Hit us up.
Are samples required?
For product-based categories, one sample may be requested to share with industry voters, if we are wholly unfamiliar with your product. We will let you know as soon as possible if this is the case. If samples are not available, that’s fine, they are not required.
CHARITY PARTNERS
In honor of the late Lori Rubin, the long-time, beloved Controller at Adventure Media & Events, a portion of all nomination fees will be donated to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, to help establish a new physical therapy gym in the MediSys Cancer Center, as a haven for patients on their wellness journey.
Additionally, another donation will be made to Magic Wheelchair, a nonprofit organization that builds epic wheelchair costumes — at no cost to families, with a mission to bring communities together to create unforgettable moments by transforming their wheelchairs into magic.
ABOUT US
Launched in 2018, The Pop Insider is the only multimedia publication in North America exclusively dedicated to licensed merchandise. The Pop Insider’s website is home to news, new product listings, and special features about the world of fandom merch. Find information about all the latest convention exclusives, limited-edition drops, and more at thepopinsider.com.
The Pop Insider is produced by Adventure Media and Events, LLC, publisher of The Toy Book, the leading toy industry multimedia trade publication, and The Toy Insider, the go-to source for information about children’s toys, tech and entertainment. For more information, visit thepopinsider.com and follow them on Instagram.