There was a time when almost everyone seemed to have a CD collection. They filled bookshelves, crowded glove compartments, and lived in those giant zippered cases we carried everywhere. Then streaming took over, and boxes of CDs started making their way into donation piles, garage sales, and thrift stores.
But it might be a little early to write off the compact disc. New data from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shows that CDs are having an unexpected resurgence in 2026.
CD Sales Took a Surprising Turn
According to the RIAA’s 2026 Mid-Year Recorded Music Revenue Report, revenue from physical music formats jumped 25.9% during the first half of 2026. CD revenue was one of the biggest standouts, climbing 58.6% compared with the same period a year earlier.
The increase is particularly interesting because CDs appeared to be heading in the opposite direction not long ago. RIAA data cited by The Verge shows CD sales had fallen 22% from 2024 to 2025 before reversing course this year.
Millions of CDs Are Still Being Sold
The RIAA figures show 17.5 million CDs were shipped in the first six months of 2026, compared with 12 million during the same period in 2025. That’s roughly a 46% increase, while CD revenue climbed to about $171 million.
A separate midyear analysis from entertainment data company Luminate also found substantial growth, although its methodology and totals differ from the RIAA’s. Luminate recorded 16.3 million U.S. CD sales during the first half of 2026, a 16% increase from the previous year.
Younger Buyers Are Looking at CDs Differently
For anyone who grew up buying CDs because that was how you listened to an album, one of the more interesting parts of the comeback is why some people are buying them now.
Luminate points to “collection building” and affordability as factors behind the increase, with K-pop releases playing a particularly large role. Albums can come in multiple editions with collectible packaging and extras, turning the physical album into something fans want to own even when they can stream the music instantly.
In fact, reporting based on the Luminate research found that about half of Gen Z and millennial CD buyers don’t even own a CD player. For some younger buyers, the disc has become as much a collectible and piece of artist merchandise as a way to listen to music.
So, Should You Hang Onto Your Old CDs?
The surge in new CD sales doesn’t mean the box of CDs in your basement has suddenly become valuable. Most mass-produced used CDs remain common, and the RIAA report measures the recorded-music market rather than the resale value of older collections.
Still, renewed interest in CDs is a pretty good reason not to blindly throw an entire collection away. Certain pressings, limited editions, promotional releases, imports, unusual packaging, complete box sets, and releases with strong collector followings may deserve a little research before you donate or toss them.
