CardVault
2025 Annual Report · Interactive Data

State of the Hobby

The definitive annual report on card collecting. Market size, collector demographics, grading volumes, sport rankings, platform data, price trends, and 2026 predictions — all in one interactive report.

Global Market Size
$15.2B▲ +11% YoY

The sports card market continues double-digit growth driven by Gen Z collectors, international expansion, and Fanatics licensing transitions.

Cards Graded (2025)
28M+▲ +18% YoY

PSA alone graded 14M+ cards in 2025. Bulk economy tiers and express services drove volume to all-time highs across all four major companies.

Active Collectors (US)
42M▲ +8% YoY

Estimated active collectors who bought, sold, or opened cards at least once. Driven by TikTok/YouTube content and card show culture revival.

Avg Transaction Value
$47▼ -3% YoY

Average eBay sold listing price declined slightly as more budget-friendly cards entered the market. Premium cards ($500+) actually increased in average value.

eBay Card Sales Volume
$4.8B▲ +14% YoY

eBay remains the dominant marketplace. Their "Top-Rated Plus" program and authentication service drove trust and volume growth.

Card Shows (US)
3,200+▲ +22% YoY

Local and regional card shows exploded in 2025. The National in Chicago drew 150,000+ attendees. Card show culture is the hobby's social backbone.

Key Moments of 2025

Jan 2025
Fanatics completes Topps integration, announces new product lines for 2026 licensing transition
Feb 2025
PSA announces grading 50 millionth card lifetime, opens expanded Japan office
Mar 2025
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 sells for $4.1M at Heritage Auctions
Apr 2025
2025 NFL Draft drives Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders RC prices to record pre-draft levels
May 2025
CGC overtakes BGS in monthly grading volume for first time
Jun 2025
eBay launches "Vault 2.0" with enhanced authentication for cards over $250
Jul 2025
The National card show in Chicago draws estimated 160,000 attendees — largest ever
Aug 2025
Whatnot surpasses $1B in annual GMV, live card auctions become mainstream
Sep 2025
Victor Wembanyama Prizm Silver PSA 10 sells for $18,500 — highest modern basketball RC
Oct 2025
Panini announces final NFL and NBA licensed products before Fanatics transition
Nov 2025
SGC introduces new "Tuxedo Black" premium slab, turnaround times drop to 15 days
Dec 2025
Year-end: card market up 11% overall, vintage leads gains, modern steady, digital declining

Collector Demographics (2025 Est.)

Age 18-2418%

Fastest growing segment. TikTok/YouTube entry point.

Age 25-3428%

Largest segment. Disposable income meets nostalgia.

Age 35-4424%

Peak spending power. Premium cards and vintage focus.

Age 45-5417%

Re-entering hobby. Childhood collections plus new purchases.

Age 55+13%

Vintage specialists. Estate planning considerations.

How to Use This Report

For Collectors

Understand where the market is heading. Use sport breakdowns and trend data to inform your collecting strategy. Focus on categories showing appreciation.

For Sellers

Platform market share data helps you choose where to sell. Fee comparisons and best-use-cases maximize your net profit per transaction.

For Investors

Trend data and predictions help time your buys and sells. Vintage appreciation, sealed wax growth, and PSA 10 premiums are key signals.

For Beginners

Demographics show you're not alone — 42M collectors strong. Start with the sport you love, use the tools linked below, and enjoy the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the card collecting market in 2025?▾
The global sports card and trading card market is estimated at $15.2 billion in 2025, growing 11% year-over-year. This includes sports cards (baseball, basketball, football, hockey), Pokemon TCG, and other trading cards. The US accounts for approximately 65% of the global market, with Japan, UK, and Australia being the fastest-growing international markets.
How many cards were graded in 2025?▾
Over 28 million cards were graded by the four major companies in 2025. PSA led with approximately 14.2 million cards (52% market share), followed by BGS/Beckett at 5.1 million (18%), CGC at 4.3 million (15%), and SGC at 3.5 million (12%). This represents an 18% increase over 2024 volumes.
What is the most popular sport for card collecting?▾
Baseball leads with approximately 35% market share, driven by vintage card demand and Shohei Ohtani's global appeal. Basketball is second at 28%, fueled by Victor Wembanyama's historic rookie class. Football holds 22%, with strong seasonal spikes around the NFL Draft and playoffs. Hockey (8%) and soccer (4%) round out the major sports.
What are the biggest card collecting trends in 2025-2026?▾
Key trends include: vintage cards (pre-1980) appreciating 15-25%, sealed wax products rising 10-20%, PSA 10 premiums expanding, card show attendance up 22%, CGC overtaking BGS in monthly volume, Whatnot surpassing $1B in annual GMV, and the upcoming Fanatics licensing transition for NFL and NBA cards in 2026.
Where do most collectors sell cards in 2025?▾
eBay remains dominant with 48% of card sales by volume. COMC (12%) is popular for bulk consignment. Whatnot (10%) leads live auction streaming. Facebook groups (8%), MySlabs (7%), Mercari (6%), and card shows (5%) round out the platforms. Most successful sellers use 2-3 platforms depending on card value and urgency.

Related Resources

Daily Market Analysis
Live market data and movers
Fear & Greed Index
Real-time market sentiment
Market Sectors
Sector rotation and momentum
2025 Market Outlook
Quarterly predictions by sport
Collecting Roadmap
Beginner to expert path
Grading ROI Calculator
Is grading worth it?