AGAWAM, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Excitement is growing as the World Cup comes closer to the Commonwealth and local businesses are already seeing a boost.

Brandon Rocco with Fearless Cards and Collectibles said the upcoming tournament is driving significant business. “It’s going to be big. It’s really going to be big,” he said.

Rocco added the U.S. hasn’t hosted a World Cup since 1994, bringing more mainstream interest to his store. He said the card and collectible market in 1994 wasn’t anything like it is now with social media, global superstars, and big cards selling. “So the hype is definitely there,” he noted.

Beyond the excitement of having a favorite player’s memorabilia, Rocco said these collectibles are essentially stocks. “Things will go up and down, so a player plays really well. You know, for example, like we were talking about earlier, like Drake Maye in football. We got to the Super Bowl. His stuff pumped up. So, if a player plays good, the team wins, players go up. If the hype comes around the player, if one of these guys wins the World Cup, forget about it. Their stuff’s going to go up 200 percent,” he explained.

For those new to collecting, Rocco advised against getting caught up in the emotion of opening packs. “Don’t get caught up in all the, you know, the emotion of, ‘Oh, I ripped the box, but I didn’t get anything.’ You know, that’s the name of the game and if you don’t like that gambling aspect, just go for cards,” he added.

He said it’s about the fun of the hobby, with fathers doing it with their kids and passing it down from the 1980s and 1990s. Rocco added that’s what he does with his son, who is into Pokemon right now.

The card Rocco said he’s seeing sold the most is Yamal. He said the 17-year-old’s biggest card sold at auction was $395,000.

Whether looking for soccer, football or even Pokemon, Rocco said now is the time to invest. “Cards have been around forever, but they’ve never been hotter. Like, right now is the time to invest,” Rocco said.

Fearless Cards and Collectibles has events lined up as the World Cup approaches.

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