Picture this: stacks of colorful, cherished pieces of cardboard flying off virtual shelves faster than you can say “rookie card.” That’s precisely what happened in June 2025, when the trading card industry broke its own incredible record, chalking up more than $305 million in sales. Yes, $305 million! If cards could talk, they’d surely be bragging about their newfound worth.

This staggering figure, reported by Card Ladder, has surpassed the previous high of $303.22 million set in March of the same year. And who knows? As numbers continue to trickle in, the final tally might just give us an even bigger surprise. It’s almost as exciting as unwrapping a mystery pack and finding a holy grail—a thrill many collectors chase with fervor.

So, what’s driving this buying frenzy? If you guessed eBay, give yourself a pat on the back. A colossal $245 million of the trading card action occurred on this platform alone. It seems eBay fans are not just obsessed with virtual yard sales for barely used waffle makers and costume jewelry; they’re all-in on the hunt for elusive card treasures.

Trailing behind, though still pulling impressive numbers, Goldin raked in a neat $32 million. Meanwhile, Fanatics Collect, with its devoted fanbase, added $27 million to the total. Altogether, Card Ladder recorded a jaw-dropping 5.2 million individual transactions throughout June, making this a month to remember in trading card history.

Goldin wasn’t just sitting around counting beans. They snagged the month’s top individual sale, when a highly sought-after 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card featuring no less than LeBron James and Kobe Bryant fetched an eye-popping $1.16 million. And yes, in case you’re wondering, that was the only card to slip past the seven-figure mark for June, standing tall like a champion atop a trading card mountain.

The high-end market is flexing its muscles, too. Over six cards soared past the $500,000 mark, while a notable 68 broke through the $100,000 barrier. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, 239 cards topped $50,000. It’s a testament to how fervent collectors are, the enthusiasm echoing through auction halls and online forums like cheers in a stadium.

Now, let’s not forget the ever-important art of grading. According to GemRate, grading activity is on a tear as well. A mighty 12.4 million cards have donned their graded armor like badges of honor so far in 2025. That figure is up by 25% from the previous year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, 7.2 million of these were Trading Card Game (TCG) and non-sports cards. Among them, Pokémon reigns supreme, much like the valiant Pikachu led Team Ash to victory across our television screens. Astonishingly, 97 of the top 100 most graded cards at PSA this year have featured this iconic game.

This record-breaking month ushers in an exhilarating first half of 2025 for the hobby. With momentum soaring like a dragonite on steroids, it seems collectors and investors alike can’t get enough of the thrill, whether it’s in sports, TCGs, or whatever delightful card fancies their imagination. Whether from baby boomers reveling in nostalgia or Gen Z collectors discovering the allure, these markets keep drawing in waves of fervent participants.

The allure of trading cards has burst through the confines of mere hobbyism into a modern-day gold rush. Each card holds not just value, but a slice of cultural history, a piece of athletic legacy, and for some, a potential investment with escalating payouts. And as collectors shuffle through their prized decks, the buzz around trading cards will continue to resonate—a timeless pastime turned lucrative passion.

Trading Card Sales Record Broken