Sports Cards

Pokémon Cards Outshine Sports in 2025 Amid Grading Frenzy

In a world where sports cards once reigned supreme, it seems the tables have turned, and they’ve turned with a vengeance. Pokémon has quite literally shuffled the deck, as new data from GemRate clearly illustrates that Pokémon cards are no longer just for schoolyard trades or nostalgic walks down memory lane. No, Pokémon cards have muscled their way into the grading spotlight, leaving sports cards gasping for air. Imagine a vibrant Pikachu gleefully stepping over a slew of defeated baseball and football cards as it triumphantly takes its spot atop the throne of collectibles. Yes, folks, Pokémon cards now constitute a staggering 97 of the top 100 most-graded cards over at PSA, proving once and for all that this franchise is not playing games—well, except for the trading card kind.

During the first six months of 2025, Pokémon cards have firmly established themselves as the darling of grading submissions, with non-sports and TCG cards accounting for a robust 59% of all graded materials across the big four authenticators. A jaw-dropping 7.2 million TCG and non-sports cards have been evaluated from January to June, marking a mind-blowing 70% hike compared to last year. Meanwhile, sports cards—those once-mighty gladiators of the collectible world—akin to a faded baseball star’s batting average, have dropped to a mere shadow of their former glory, ending at 5.1 million submissions and plummeting by 9%.

Among the standout submissions is the Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232. So far, this card leads the pack with a hefty 45,600 turned in for grading. However, it’s not just about obscure promo cards. Enter Pikachu, the charming yellow rodent and Pokémon Company’s crown jewel, whose likeness has been immortalized in more than 345,000 graded submissions this year alone. Riding the current collective zeitgeist, we find the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” from the Van Gogh Museum collaboration, which is not just another fancy card but a cultural artifact in the making. Despite being as abundant as sea salt in the ocean, its PSA 10 specimens are fetching prices north of $900, affirming that nostalgic charm combined with rarity—or perceived rarity, anyway—can command impressive sums.

In stark contrast, sports cards seem to have taken a back seat in this year’s collectible carpool. Only a trio managed to sneak their way into PSA’s top 100 list. Two rookie cards featuring the 2024 Panini Prizm’s Jayden Daniels and the 2024 Panini Instant Caitlin Clark WNBA ROY card offer a glimmer of hope for sports aficionados. Each of these has seen between 8,800 and 10,500 submissions—a respectable showing, but not enough to dethrone the powerhouse of Pokémon.

As the months rolled by, June came to confirm this emerging trend. TCG and non-sports cards made a splash, comprising 63% of all submissions. PSA alone reveled in the glory of 911,000 submissions in this category, overshadowing the combined sports card tally of 743,000 across all grading companies.

Not to be outdone, CGC Cards has hopped onto the Pokémon bandwagon with enthusiasm and vigor. Having graded a staggering 2.18 million cards already, CGC is on pace to break records, driven primarily by 1.8 million TCG or non-sports submissions. Following closely behind, Beckett kinda resembles that once-strong middle child of the grading family that’s now struggling to keep up. Its volume has dwindled, securing it a fourth-place position among major graders, with 366,000 cards sworn into their database so far. Among these, 214,000 were related to Pokémon or TCG phenomena.

It’s not just the grading companies experiencing this Pokémon renaissance. PSA’s relationship with GameStop, which kicked off in October, is a veritable gold mine. This partnership has netted over a million grading submissions and fueled what seems like an insatiable demand for graded Pokémon cards.

In the retail sector, Pokémon’s influence is no less pronounced. Shops can barely keep these prized cards on shelves, as eager collectors and casual fans alike swarm the aisles, wallets open and ready. New releases vanish in a flurry of transactions faster than you can say, “Gotta catch ’em all!” with long lines and purchase limits keeping the excitement—and the scarcity—alive.

With each passing day, Pokémon solidifies its hold on the world of collectibles. Whether a lover of lovable electric mice or just someone looking to secure an investment, it’s clear that everyone wants a piece of the Pokémon pie. And as long as their beloved allure continues, it seems that Pokémon cards will reign supreme over their once mighty sports counterparts.

Pokemon Cards Dominate Grading

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