The countdown to one of the biggest drops in Bo Jackson Battle Arena history is over. BoBA 2026 Edition - better known across the community as The Griffey Set - marks a major leap forward for collectors and players alike. Bigger checklists, bolder art, new inserts & parallels, and a historic roster of signers makes this release the most ambitious set we’ve ever built.
This guide breaks down some things you need to know before you rip your first pack - from autograph checklists to weapon rarities to the parallels you’ll be hunting all year long.
Download the Collector's Guide
Featured Heroes: A Hall-of-Fame Tier Autograph Checklist
From just the first page of the Collector’s Guide you’ll see why collectors are calling this our strongest checklists EVER.
The autograph roster brings together icons from across sports. Every Hero is inspired by an athlete or pop culture icon, bridging real-world legends closer to their in-game Heroes.
Some highlights from the checklist include:
Ken Griffey Jr. (The Kid)
Bo Jackson (BoJax)
Julius Erving (Dr. K)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Freakshow)
Elly De La Cruz (Cruze Control)
Troy Aikman (Troy of Dallas)
PLUS many more!
Every autograph in the 2026 Edition is ON-CARD. Collectors have been chasing cross-sport checklists for years - this is BoBA’s biggest yet.
Base Set & Highlighted Heroes
The Base and Highlighted Heroes checklist (page 2 of the Collector Guide) is one of the most diverse Hero rosters we’ve built to date.
Heroes of unknown identity and origin inspired by rising stars and legendary vets alike…the Hero art in this set matches the inspiration’s greatness!
Highlighted Heroes share the same print run as Featured Heroes - just without autographs - making them a fun chase for set builders and competitive players.
Two very special Heroes (PB Buckets and Maverick) are found in the Base Set as key Rookie Inspired heroes, but also appear with different art in the Highlighted Hero tier! This is the first time heroes have appeared in two slots with different art. We don’t know the true identity of the fans who ate the radioactive hot dogs and became these heroes yet but if their Battle Arena abilities match the on court prowess of their inspirations Paige Buecker and Cooper Flagg, they will both be a force to be reckoned with.
Lore tidbit: Due to an inside joke PB Buckets is already being affectionately known as “Peanut Butter Buckets” by many BoBA fans. IYKYK
Battlefoil Parallels & Inserts: What Collectors Will Be Chasing
The 2026 Edition brings back the fan-favorite inserts and parallels that have defined BoBA collecting from the start, but this year’s lineup has been sharpened, expanded, and reimagined. Across every box type, collectors will see the core Battle Arena styles they already recognize - updated with fresh 2026 artwork and treatments that make the set feel bigger and more polished than anything before it.
While retail formats carry their own exclusive visual twists and inserts, Hobby products also introduce new inserts and higher hit rates for autographs. Each pack type leans into its own identity, giving collectors multiple lanes to chase.
The Weapon System: What Each Rarity Means
The weapon chart in the Collector Guide breaks down the full rarity spectrum for 2026 with the only new addition for 2026 being the Brawl weapon type where the heroes grab boxing gloves and prepare for battles in Brawl specific brackets across organized play events in 2026 (Brawl is also legal in other play formats - but the weapon was designed for use in its own Brawl specific formats). In addition to Brawl look for the other common weapon Steel, Rare Fire and Ice all the way up to Glow Ultra Rare. From there you are chasing the top end Hex and Gum Secret Rares and of course the ultimate grail of them all…Super 1/1s. For players, the weapon system brings structure and clarity to deckbuilding and the underlying power structure. For collectors, it introduces a clean hierarchy that makes every pull feel intentional and a clear rarity signal as weapon power increases.
Whether you’re targeting gameplay upgrades or hunting rare weapons and treatments in the set, knowing your weapons helps make life easier as you rip!
The Griffey Set Is Built for Collectors
The 2026 Edition blends scarcity, star power, and gameplay depth in a way that pushes BoBA into a new frontier. Check out the 2026 Edition Collector’s Guide download below to make sure you’re up to speed before you rip your packs!
Pro Tip: Keep the Collector Guide on your phone so it’s close at hand when you need to refer back to it.
Let's Bo!