In the whimsical realm where nostalgia meets economic intrigue, 2025 has become a landmark year for Pokémon cards, which have achieved the unimaginable by transcending their role as playful trading memorabilia to dominate the scenic vistas of collectible grading. The phenomenon has unfolded like a grand epic, orchestrated by the indispensably meticulous authenticators of the third-party grading world, and it reveals a fascinating nexus between childhood fantasies and adult penchant for speculation.

According to the insightful data beamed in from GemRate, Pokémon cards are now firmly positioned as the crowning mandarins of the grading submissions kingdom. The statistics paint a vivid picture: Pokémon commands an astounding 97 out of the top 100 spots for the most-graded cards at the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The news arrives like a deftly tossed Poké Ball into a throng of sports cards that have all but drifted into obscurity, highlighting the singular passion for these colorful cards that decades ago, when first unleashed, ensnared the imagination of children across the globe.

Turning our analytical lens onto the big picture of collectible trends, the statistics are even more jaw-dropping. Non-sports and TCG cards have amassed an impressive 59% slice of all graded submissions across the major authenticators in the first half of 2025. It’s a testament to Pokémon’s unstoppable momentum; 7.2 million TCG and non-sports cards have been graded between January and June alone. Contrast that against the sport equivalent—a rather tepid 5.1 million graded sports cards marking a noticeable 9% decrease—and the narrative of Pokémon’s ascendancy becomes gloriously evident.

The celestial crown of this grading gala belongs to a certain Pokémon card of mythic status: the Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232. This card, with a romance that rivals the tales of yore, has been magnificently graded over 45,600 times this annum. But let’s not forget the face that’s heralded the franchise through various evolutionary stages, Pikachu. Over 345,000 Pikachu cards have been graded this year, livening up the statistics as the electric rodent stands not just as a mascot, but a venerable Pokémon deity.

Of immense particularity is the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” from the exuberant Van Gogh Museum collaboration, which, despite its substantial numbers—nearly 84,000 graded to date—still commands an auction room premium. Even in the face of such ubiquity, mint-condition (PSA 10) specimens have captivated collectors’ wallets to the tune of over $900.

On the flip side, the hallowed realm of sports cards attempted a whisper, with just three managing to puncture the top 100 list at PSA. Leading this humble trio are the 2024 Panini Prizm Jayden Daniels rookie card, memorializing the young NFL luminary, and Caitlin Clark’s WNBA ROY accolade from Panini Instant. Yet these illustrious pursuits fetched between a stark 8,800 to 10,500 submissions, a drop in the Pokémon ocean.

Illustrating the ongoing Pokémon love affair, June’s statistical breakdown reiterated the trend: 63% of all submissions belonged to TCG and non-sports cards. PSA, with unfettered zeal, graded 911,000 of these, overtaking the entire sports card grading collective at 743,000 submissions.

Amidst this unfolding spectacle, CGC Cards has dived headlong into the raucous torrent of Pokémon passion, grading a staggering 2.18 million cards to date in 2025. The bulk of these belong to the TCG and non-sports category, coinciding with the realm’s move to not only keep pace but thrive in this fervent boom.

Conversely, Beckett, seemingly sidelined in this new grading epoch, has seen a notable dip, ranking fourth in the cohort of major graders. With only 366,000 cards passing through its hands, 214,000 of which nod to Pokémon or TCG, one might find them eagerly introspecting the secrets behind Pokémon’s gravitational pull.

PSA’s fortuitous partnership with GameStop has added rocket fuel to this surge—since the enterprise’s launch back in October, it has drawn upwards of one million grading submissions. The synergy between retail and grading has never been more vibrant, a true testament to Pokémon’s timeless allure.

Pervading the retail landscape, Pokémon’s popularity exerts a gravitational influence, manifested in widespread sellouts, queue-forming fans, and limited-per-customer transactions. As these iridescent cards fly off shelves faster than a Rapidash dashing across fields, it seems this deliberate union of nostalgia, pop culture, and collective consciousness will continue unabated, keeping its storied grip on the realm of collectability firm and securely fastened. Pokémon, with its resilient spirit and adaptive charm, stands poised not only as a nostalgic indulgence but as a testament to the ever-evolving dance of cultural and economic paradigms.

Pokemon Cards Dominate Grading