In a month that shone brighter than a freshly minted rookie card, the trading card industry has once again captured the world’s attention, surpassing even the most ambitious expectations. In June 2025, a staggering $305 million poured into the market, as collectors and enthusiasts engaged in an all-out buying frenzy that left previous records in its glittering trail of success. These figures, revealed by the data-driven sleuths at Card Ladder, represent a new zenith for an industry perpetually on the rise.
When comparing these jaw-dropping numbers to historic figures, the June milestone comfortably overtakes March’s previously heralded record of $303.22 million. Like any good story arc, the final tally might still inch further upward as straggling figures are finalized and tallied by early July, hinting at even more cake-slicing for this celebratory occasion.
Leading the charge was the online retail titan eBay. Often considered the modern-day agora of card trading, eBay contributed an awe-inducing $245 million to the month’s total thanks to its vast global marketplace and the overlapping passions of collectors across sports, trading card games (TCGs), and more. Meanwhile, Goldin, a heavyweight in the nostalgic yet lucratively modern market of trading cards, chipped in a robust $32 million, ensuring that nobody was left questioning its formidable presence. Fanatics Collect also played ball, delivering $27 million and further proving that this game is far from becoming a relic of the past.
To quantify the magnitude of these sales, consider the 5.2 million individual transactions logged in June by Card Ladder—a number only eclipsed once in the platform’s data-brimmed history. Such activity underscores not just the burgeoning volume but the electrifying frequency with which the trading card fanatics are engaging in buying, selling, and trading.
The crème de la crème of June’s sales surfaced from the glittery echelons of Goldin’s auctions, where a 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card, showcasing none other than legendary dribblers LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, was snatched up for an exhilarating $1.16 million. This card stood as the solitary card to leap over the seven-figure mark during the month—truly a slam dunk in a month of slam dunks.
A deeper dive through June’s sales ledger reveals that six cards crossed the $500,000 threshold with a determined saunter, while no less than 68 cards cleared $100,000. A further 239 cards smiled past the $50,000 line, painting a picture of robust health in the high-end card market. Wealthy collectors and investors are evidently ensnared by this tangible nostalgia—each card a tapestry of athletic achievement and historical resonance.
Simultaneously, the grading sector toasted cocktails of bustling activity. The arduous yet satisfying grading ritual saw 12.4 million cards assessed in 2025, marking a 25% uptick from the preceding year. Graders are abuzz like librarian bees in a clover field, meticulously assigning value to each piece of card-stock art. Among these, TCG and non-sport cards accounted for 7.2 million, embarking on interdimensional journeys from Pokémon ball to grading slab.
Pokémon, ever the electric-charged Pikachu of the card world, continues its reign. Almost 97 out of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year bear the whimsical artwork and speculative market power of Pokémon, confirming its persistent grip on the hearts and wallets of collectors.
This record-breaking month doesn’t just suggest an insatiable demand but also caps off a commendably robust first half for 2025. With momentum sputtering like a precisely tuned engine, the only question remaining is: how high are we ready to go?
Should current trends continue, it appears this fascination with trading cards—where history is encapsulated in cardboard, and emotion is printed in ink—isn’t reverting to nostalgia anytime soon. It’s thriving! As collectors meticulously curate their portfolios, each purchase an investment in both sentiment and potential profitability, it’s clear this trading card renaissance has more pages yet to be turned.
