In the colorful, passionate realm of trading cards, June 2025 will be remembered as nothing short of monumental. With more than $305 million spent on sports and trading cards across various marketplaces and auction houses, June didn’t just surpass prior expectations—it left them in the dust, setting a new industry record with pomp and flair.
It’s like the trading card world decided it was time for summer fireworks, and boy, did it deliver. Card Ladder, the platform keeping a vigilant eye on these developments, revealed that this month’s boom outpaced the previous record set in March 2025, when the industry basked in a not-so-humble $303.22 million. With more data yet to come, who knows where June’s total will ultimately land.
Driving this unprecedented spending spree was the powerhouse platform eBay. The online marketplace was responsible for over $245 million of that total. It’s as if collectors couldn’t help themselves, clicking “Bid” and “Buy Now” faster than a child chasing after the ice cream truck. Close behind, Goldin contributed a significant chunk to this total with $32 million, followed by Fanatics Collect, which logged $27 million in card sales.
For anyone who appreciates the fine art of selling cardboard treasures, June boasted a staggering 5.2 million individual transactions—just a breath away from the all-time record high for transactions. The sheer volume of sales indicates not only the relentless enthusiasm of the community but also how trading cards continue to be an irresistible hobby and investment.
Highlighting the extravagance of the month was a remarkable transaction through Goldin. A 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card boasting the likenesses of basketball legends LeBron James and Kobe Bryant snagged an astounding $1.16 million. Understandably so, this card was the crown jewel of June, the only one achieving a seven-figure price tag.
Not to be overshadowed, the elite market flourished with six more cards selling for over half a million dollars, 68 surpassing the $100,000 threshold, and 239 exceeding $50,000. These numbers paint a vivid picture of a thriving high-end market where collectors are more than willing to break open their piggy banks for a piece of history.
But it wasn’t just about buying; grading activity also reached dizzying heights. GemRate reported that an impressive 12.4 million cards have been graded so far in 2025, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. Among these, the trend remains clear: Pokémon is leading the charge. Dominating the ranks, Pokémon cards accounted for an overwhelming 97 of the top 100 cards graded by PSA this year. Like an electric evolution that never ends, Pokémon continues to captivate collectors and growers alike, each card a cherished collectible and, in some cases, a valuable investment.
June’s accomplishments reflect a scintillating start to the first half of 2025 in the world of collectibles. The steadfast growth and momentum span across sports cards, Trading Card Games (TCGs), and even niche markets that ebb and flow within this vibrant ecosystem. Each corner and niche of the hobby contributes its unique flair to the vibrant tapestry of the trading card world, ensuring that the thrill never wanes.
What’s next, you might ask? Well, if history is any guide, record-shattering moments like this often ignite even more enthusiasm and innovation. Old and new fans alike eagerly await the next big auction house reveal or marketplace buzzy piece of cardboard art that whisks them away into nostalgia and possibility.
The universe of trading cards is undeniably dynamic, and each month brings its own tapestry of surprises and delights. Whether it’s through the flickering glow of an online auction’s end-time or the subtle elegance of a perfectly encased card revealing its grade, the excitement is palpable, and the potential is limitless.
June 2025 will no doubt be etched into the annals of trading card history—a shimmering testament to just how high the hobby can soar when passion, nostalgia, and the thrill of the chase come together in perfect harmony. As collectors shuffle their cards and shuffle off to their next acquisition, we’re left wondering, what new records will tomorrow bring?
