The traditionally leisurely pastime of trading card collection has ballooned into a full-blown financial phenomenon, as June 2025 demonstrated. The month shattered previous records by amassing over $305 million in card sales, marking a watershed moment for the trading card industry. Just when it seemed that March’s $303.22 million milestone was impressive, June decided to up the ante, positioning itself as the crown jewel of trading card history in financial terms. And lest we forget, figures are still being updated, with the final count likely to paint an even rosier picture as late data trickles in through early July.
The true architect behind this sales tsunami was none other than eBay, which, in its usual commercial flair, buoyed a substantial chunk of the market with a staggering $245 million in sales. Who knew that digital auctions could wield such power in the world of collectibles? Following in eBay’s giant footsteps were Goldin and Fanatics Collect, contributing handsomely to the pot with $32 million and $27 million, respectively. All in all, Card Ladder, a trusted sentinel in the space, documented 5.2 million individual transactions in June, a figure only eclipsed by one other record month on their platform.
Among the standout moments of June was a jaw-dropping sale by Goldin, where the auction platform had the pleasure—and no small amount of pride—of selling a 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card. This card, more than just cardboard and ink, flaunted the likenesses of basketball royalty: LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Selling for a princely sum of $1.16 million, it was the sole card to breach the elusive seven-figure threshold in June. Arguably, it wasn’t just a purchase; it was the acquisition of a piece of sporting legend.
There’s no denying that high-end cards had their moment in the spotlight. Six of these little treasures commands more than $500,000 apiece, while 68 cards rang up sales exceeding $100,000, and a further 239 cards topped $50,000. Evidently, the appetite for opulent cards is far from slaking; rather, it’s increasing, reflecting a market where collectors are more than willing to invest in rare finds and nostalgia wrapped in high-grade packaging.
On the grading front, experts at GemRate had their hands full as grading activity soared to unprecedented levels. A robust 12.4 million cards were scrutinized and graded this year, marking a substantial 25% increase over last year’s numbers. Interestingly, this flurry of grading activity was dominated by TCG and non-sports cards, with a staggering 7.2 million earning a grade. Among these, Pokémon stood supreme, with an overwhelming presence: 97 of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year featured the iconic creatures. With Pikachu and his compatriots leading the charge, the ripple effect on the grading industry was undeniably profound.
This crescendo of activity cements the fact that the trading card world isn’t just riding a wave of interest—it’s steering a tsunami of enthusiasm and investment. The record-breaking month in June was not an isolated incident but the culmination of a robust first half of 2025, characterized by steady growth across both sports and trading card games (TCGs). As the year unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the world of trading cards is no whimsical hobby; it’s a pulsating, evolving market with real financial heft and cultural weight.
So what does this spell for the future? If anything, it signals a thrilling time ahead for trading card aficionados and investors alike. With the juggernaut of eBay sales leading the charge and high-stakes auctions adding intrigue and allure, the trading card scene is poised for further electrifying developments. Should the momentum continue, we may see even more ambitious records tumble like dominos, as passion collides with prosperity in this vibrant marketplace. As new fans join the ranks and seasoned collectors delve deeper into their collections, the only certainty is that the trading card revolution is not just alive and well—it’s thriving like never before.
