In an astonishing twist of fate, the trading card industry has once again proven that it’s more than just child’s play. June 2025 has catapulted collectible cards to new heights as a record-shattering $305 million exchanged hands. According to data released by Card Ladder, every corner of this nostalgic hobby seemed to have struck gold—or at least, lots of greenback. This marks the most money ever spent in a single month on these elusive treasures, recounting the superb pageantry that is collecting pieces of cardboard with pictures of athletes and warrior mages. The previous record stood at a commendable $303.22 million in March, implying that the drama is far from over with late purchases still being tallied.
The juggernaut responsible for propelling this economic frenzy is none other than eBay, proudly sitting on a mountain of transactions amounting to over $245 million. It appears eBay has donned the crown as king of the trading card universe, leaving competitors a distant second. Goldin, an eminent auction house, chipped in with an impressive $32 million, while Fanatics Collect contributed a commendable $27 million. Altogether, June was a month of vivacious deals and determined enthusiasts, with Card Ladder meticulously logging 5.2 million bursts of enthusiasm—or transactions, if we must be mundane about it—rendering this the second-highest transaction month on the platform.
And while every transaction tells a story, it was at Goldin where the month’s spotlight sale took place. A dazzling piece of basketball card nobility—a 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card featuring none other than court titans LeBron James and Kobe Bryant—managed to reign supreme with an auction price of $1.16 million. The card, surely the envy of hobbyists everywhere, basked as the singular superstar in the seven-figure category.
The upper echelons of the card market had more than just one dazzling tale to share. A venerated roster of six cards grace the $500,000 and above club, while an admirable 68 cards gently stepped over the $100,000 threshold, an act of excellent strength for the high-end collection market. Not to be forgotten, a further 239 cards easily jumped past the $50,000 hurdle, portraying the vibrant health and vitality of this growing market’s finest offerings.
Adding another layer to this tale of trading card triumph, grading activity has surged unabated. GemRate has showcased that an eye-popping 12.4 million cards have already been graded in 2025. This staggering total demonstrates a 25% increase in comparison to preceding last year’s figures. A peek behind the curtains reveals that 7.2 million of these cards belong to the world of TCG and non-sports cards, with Pokémon performing its signature vanishing act on collector’s budgets with unmatched flair. Indeed, 97 out of the top 100 graded cards at PSA in 2025 have been linked to the relentless pocket monster phenomenon, as the franchise continues to cast its spell over collectors both old and new.
As June comes to a close, this record-breaking month serves as a crowning beacon atop an already glittering first half of 2025. Defying the confines of mere sentimental allure, the trading card industry cements its remarkable place within the world of collectibles. With TCG and sports cards alike demonstrating dynamic growth and momentum, all indicators are that this hobby—whether you indulge for nostalgia, investment, or the sheer love of the game—already promises an exhilarating future. Enthusiasts and investors alike are in for an adventurous journey as they continue to chase history in bite-sized increments, enshrined in cardboard. Here’s to the cards, games, and sports that unite us in this dizzying dance of collecting splendor.
