Step right up and feast your eyes on the latest spectacle in the world of collectibles—a realm where nostalgia clashes with modern fanaticism, and cardboard holds the weight of gold. In June 2025, trading cards experienced an unprecedented crescendo, as enthusiasts, investors, and collectors shelled out a staggering $305 million on iconic pieces from sports legends to fantastical creatures. Move over stock market; trading cards are stealing the spotlight.
According to Card Ladder, the premier source keeping tabs on the pulse of the trading card industry, June’s colossal expenditure of $305.7 million obliterated the previous record (a mere $303.22 million set earlier in the year in March). And just like any good blockbuster, there’s always hope for a surprise ending since late data might propel June’s numbers even higher as the reports trickle in through July.
A lion’s share of the trading frenzy took place on eBay, which alone accounted for over $245 million in sales volume. If eBay was the heavyweight champion, then Goldin and Fanatics Collect played the roles of energetic contenders, raking in $32 million and $27 million, respectively. With 5.2 million individual transactions logged across major platforms, June became the second-most active month in transaction terms ever recorded by Card Ladder. The world of trading cards has transformed into something more akin to high-octane sports—highly competitive and ever dynamic.
Among the igniting sparks of June’s skyrocketing numbers was a card sale to make jaws drop and wallets weep. At Goldin’s prestigious auction house, a rare 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card featuring none other than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, sold for an astounding $1.16 million. It was the crown jewel, the singular seven-figure transaction amid the month-long auction odyssey. Alongside this, six cards managed the Herculean feat of fetching over $500,000, while 68 cards cleared the $100,000 mark, and an impressive 239 cards surpassed $50,000. The high stakes of the trading card game aren’t just reserved for poker nights anymore.
Simultaneously, the vibrant, colorful world of TCGs and non-sport cards has been embroiled in a whirlwind of grading drama—a crucial stage in cementing a card’s value. Grading activity in 2025 is reaching altitudes previously unknown, according to GemRate, another leading analytics service. With 12.4 million cards graded thus far—a 25% increase over 2024—it’s evident that everyone wants a piece of the action, ensuring their collections soar from commonplace to museum-worthy.
Unsurprisingly, Pokémon continues to reign supreme in the grading sphere, with 7.2 million out of the total horde being TCG and non-sport cards. Evidently, the love for Pikachu and friends is far from over, with an astonishing 97 of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year being Pokémon-themed. Who knew squishy yellow rodents and fiery dragons could hold so much sway over people’s hearts and wallets?
June’s record-breaking numbers aren’t an isolated spike but rather the grand finale of a powerful crescendo. The first half of 2025 was marked by intense momentum coursing through the veins of trading cards, with the market raging across sports, TCGs, and other collectible phenomena. Gone are the days when trading cards were simply pastime distractions or dusty artifacts hiding in attic spaces; they have become central pieces of cultural and financial artistries, providing joy, cultural bonding, and investment opportunities that rival traditional options.
As we continue through 2025, it’s clear that this isn’t just a fleeting trend but a full-fledged cultural movement. The collectors driven by passion, the investors struck by opportunity, and the curious onlookers turned into fans—all play their part in the ongoing saga of trading cards. Who knows what awaits in the coming months? The only certainty is that each card, whether new or old, tells a story, waiting to be traded, cherished, graded, or showcased. In the grand theatre of collectibles, the curtain has only begun to rise.
