Toy shops host swap events to help World Cup sticker collectors complete albums

Shops like The Entertainer are hosting swap events to help families complete their 2026 Panini World Cup sticker albums in a safe and friendly environment.

With 48 teams in this expanded World Cup, the album requires 980 stickers to complete. Demand has been so high that supermarkets and shops regularly sell out, frustrating collectors across the country.

In Birmingham, 12-year-old Zac arrived at a swap shop event needing just two stickers to finish his album. Five minutes later, he had found one of them. His family has been hunting for months, with help from three generations including his great-grandmother Doreen, 85.

Previously, collectors relied on social media groups to arrange swaps by post, which meant extra costs and trusting strangers to follow through. The in-store events offer a more reliable alternative.

The Entertainer said swap shop events will continue in stores until 16 July, giving collectors a chance to complete their albums before the tournament ends.

Gilbert