In an astonishing turn of events that’s sure to thrill collectors and investors alike, the trading card industry has reached an unprecedented financial summit. June 2025 will be remembered as a monumental month, marked by a jaw-dropping $305.7 million spent on sports and trading cards. This achievement eclipses its preceding peak from March, which tallied $303.22 million, and hints at the ever-growing fervor for these coveted pieces of cultural memorabilia.
And it isn’t over yet—the record is poised to swell as purchasers and platform reports trickle in through the early days of July, potentially pushing the fiscal mountain even higher. Credit for this remarkable milestone is largely due to eBay, the titan of online auction platforms, which moved over $245 million worth of cards in June alone. Meanwhile, Goldin pitched in with $32 million, proving it’s still a mighty player in this realm, while Fanatics Collect added another $27 million. Together, these platforms encapsulate a dazzling surge in market activity.
At the heart of this flourishing trade is not just the staggering financial stats, but also the sheer volume of transactions. Card Ladder reported an impressive 5.2 million individual deals, making it the second busiest month ever for the platform. This figure itself is indicative of the broad appeal and the competitive spirit that continues to drive this hobby into not only the hands of nostalgic enthusiasts but also the serious investors with an appetite for non-traditional assets.
Yet, amidst this whirlwind of commerce, one card emerged as the emblem of their apex for June. At Goldin, a 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card graced with the likenesses of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant stunned as it sold for a staggering $1.16 million. As the solitary seven-figure sale of the month, it set tongues wagging and encapsulated just how valuable celebrity connects with athletic prowess can be when immortalized in cardboard form.
The high-end market demonstrated even more fortitude, with six cards crossing the half-million threshold, 68 passing the $100,000 mark, and 239 selling for more than $50,000. This powerful performance is a testament to the sustained health and growth of the high-rolling card collectors’ subset, which has found fresh ventures to pour their investment energy into.
Not to be left out of the spotlight, grading activity has scaled new heights too. GemRate’s fascinating insights reveal that already in 2025, a whopping 12.4 million cards have been graded, an impressive 25% surge from the previous year. Diving deeper, it’s clear that the Trading Card Game (TCG) world is asserting its dominion; 7.2 million of these graded cards belong to non-sports categories, with Pokémon asserting an unassailable lead. How dominant is Pokémon, you ask? Try 97 of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year having the Pokémon brand emblazoned on them.
As June closes its curtains on a stellar first half of the year, propelled by these extraordinary figures, it’s hard not to marvel at the momentous energy charging through the veins of the trading card industry. Not so long ago, what might have seemed a niche pursued by nostalgists and hobbyists has burgeoned into a formidable economic force, prepared to keep making headlines. Sports, TCGs, and non-sports cards are all surfing this wave, and who knows where the shoreline is?
Now, fueled by an insatiable demand for nostalgia-induced joy, savvy investments, and cultural artefacts, the trading card craze looks set to continue. With eBay driving a major portion of this market, it leaves one to wonder where the next big boom could come from. And with platforms like Goldin and Fanatics Collect bolstering the scene, collectors, both new and seasoned, are catching a glimpse of a market that just might be in its golden era. Whether you’re a Pokémon master, a sports aficionado, or a strategic investor, grabbing a piece of the booming action has never been more tempting, nor more competitive.
The trading card odyssey marches on, full of promise and possibilities, beckoning enthusiasts with visions of fortune and cherished tokens of bygone eras. Here’s to a future where each transaction carries the warmth of nostalgia, the excitement of competition, and the shimmer of immense potential.
