The HOTTEST Sports Cards on Ebay (Ep. 1)
Ebay still holds the crown as the largest buying and selling platform for sports cards, and this episode of the Sports Card Dad will focus around some of the hottest current baseball, football, basketball cards this week.
Outside of the cards listed in the video, here are a few more examples.
In 2025, the sports card market on eBay has seen remarkable activity, with several cards achieving significant attention and high auction prices. Here are some of the most notable cards:
Caitlin Clark's 2022 Bowman U Chrome Card
Caitlin Clark's first mainstream card from the 2022/23 Bowman U Chrome series has experienced a substantial increase in value. Initially purchased for under $10, these cards have sold for over $50 each during the WNBA season. Axios
Luke Littler's Rookie Player Card
Luke Littler's rookie card, featuring his autograph and a match-worn patch, attracted 57 bids before selling for nearly £15,000. talkSPORT+2The Sun+2The Sun+2
Cristiano Ronaldo's 2018/19 Panini Card
A one-of-a-kind Cristiano Ronaldo card from the 2018/19 Panini collection was valued at £12,000 during the Brighton Football Card and Memorabilia Show. The Sun
Antoine Griezmann's 2017 Topps Chrome Superfractor Card
Antoine Griezmann's 2017 Topps Chrome Superfractor card sold for $5,100, highlighting the growing interest in soccer cards. talkSPORT
John Elway's Yankees Draft Pick Card
Topps released a special card commemorating John Elway's selection by the New York Yankees in the 1981 MLB Draft, sparking renewed interest in this unique crossover collectible. New York Post
These examples underscore the dynamic nature of the sports card market in 2025, with collectors and investors actively seeking rare and unique items across various sports.
People choose to buy and sell sports cards on eBay for several key reasons:
1. Large Buyer and Seller Base
eBay has 132 million active buyers and 18 million active sellers, making it one of the largest marketplaces for sports cards. This ensures high visibility for sellers and a wide selection for buyers.
2. Established Marketplace & Trust
eBay has been selling sports cards since 1995 and has built a reputation as a reliable platform. Features like buyer protection, seller ratings, and authenticity guarantees help establish trust.
3. Competitive Pricing & Market Trends
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Buyers can find cards at competitive prices through auctions or “Buy It Now” listings.
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Sellers can track market trends and set prices accordingly.
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eBay's sales data helps collectors gauge card values in real time.
4. Auction Format for Maximizing Sales
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Auctions create bidding wars, often leading to higher final sale prices for rare or in-demand cards.
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Sellers can also use fixed-price listings for steady sales.
5. Authentication & Grading Services
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eBay's Authenticity Guarantee verifies certain high-value cards, reducing the risk of counterfeits.
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PSA, BGS, and SGC graded cards sell well because of buyer confidence in their authenticity.
6. Convenience & Global Reach
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Sellers can list items from anywhere, and eBay’s global audience increases the chances of a sale.
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Buyers can access a variety of cards that may not be available locally.
7. eBay Vault & Storage Solutions
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eBay introduced a vault service where high-value cards can be stored securely.
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This allows for instant reselling without physically handling the card again.
8. Promotions & Seller Tools
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eBay offers discounted listing fees, advertising tools, and sales analytics to help sellers increase profits.
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Features like Best Offer, Combined Shipping, and eBay Bucks create incentives for buyers.
Challenges
Despite these advantages, sellers face eBay’s fees (typically 13-15%), potential scams, and customer disputes. However, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, making it the go-to platform for many in the sports card hobby.
eBay has been a central platform for sports card transactions since its inception in 1995. Over the years, the platform has experienced significant growth in this category, reflecting the increasing popularity of sports card collecting.
Recent Sales Data:
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2023 Weekly Transactions: eBay facilitated the sale of over 600,000 sports cards each week.
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2024 High-Value Sales: The platform has witnessed remarkable sales, including:
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A 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie Card (PSA 10) sold for $145,655 after receiving 100 bids. sportscollectorsdigest.com+1The Cardboard Connection+1
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A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card fetched $135,100 with 102 bids. sportscollectorsdigest.com
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eBay's Overall Performance:
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Annual Revenue: In 2023, eBay reported an annual revenue of $10.112 billion, marking a 3.34% increase from the previous year. 3Dsellers
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Gross Merchandise Value (GMV): In the first quarter of 2024, eBay's GMV was $18.6 billion, with projections suggesting it could reach $74.4 billion by year's end. 3Dsellers
Active Users:
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Sellers: eBay hosts approximately 18 million active sellers globally. 3Dsellers
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Buyers: The platform maintains a robust user base with 132 million active buyers as of the first quarter of 2024. 3Dsellers
These figures highlight eBay's pivotal role in the sports card market, serving as a dynamic marketplace for both collectors and investors.