Sports Trading Cards Market Size, Share, Growth & Industry Analysis, By Product (Autograph Card, Image Card, Character Card, Other), By Applications (Association Football, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Cricket, Others) and Regional Analysis, 2023-2030

Sports Trading Cards Market Size

The global Sports Trading Cards Market size was valued at USD 9.69 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 20.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.01% from 2023 to 2030. In the scope of work, the report includes products offered by companies such as Futera, Leaf Trading Cards, LLC, The Upper Deck Company, Ace Authentic, Diamond Cards Online Store, Athletes Unlimited, TRISTAR Productions, Inc., PANINI S.P.A. and Others.

The emergence of Bitcoin as a means to purchase sports trading cards online is a pivotal trend propelling the expansion of the sports trading cards market. The adoption of Bitcoin and other digital currencies as legitimate methods of payment has grown significantly over the years. With the advent of digital wallets and exchanges, it has become increasingly easy and convenient for customers to purchase sports trading cards online using Bitcoin.

Several constraints and impediments are hampering the growth of the sports trading card market. The market's growth is being hindered because of some collectors abandoning sports trading cards and a surge of people moving towards online purchasing as the internet gains popularity, which undermines the growth of the offline sports trading card industry.

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Analyst’s Review 

The sports trading cards industry is anticipated to experience significant growth in the coming years, largely driven by the sizable population base of the sector, particularly in developed countries worldwide. This growth can be attributed to technological advancements and the increasing demand for unique, historical, and contemporary cards. Data shows sports card investors have been able to generate impressive profits, and the emergence of events with substantial prize pools is expected to provide promising development opportunities in the near future.

Market Definition

Trading cards, also known as collectible cards, are small cards typically made of paperboard or thick paper that showcase an image of a person, object, or location, along with additional text such as statistics or trivia. The game with unique cards is considered highly popular and currently enjoys significant traction in the sports trading cards market.

Sports trading cards are universal across various sports, including but not limited to the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and Major League Baseball, encompassing numerous professional soccer leagues globally. Traditional gum-based sports trading cards have been out of trend as die-cut hologram specialty cards were introduced in recent years.

The baseball trading card stands out as one of the most popular sports trading cards. The front of these cards features an image of the players, along with their identification particulars like name and team affiliation, and the back displays their statistics or biographical information. With applications in various sports like cricket, boxing, cycling, and association football, sports trading cards have become a significant part of the sporting industry, with immense potential for further growth in the foreseeable future.

Market Dynamics

The sports trading cards industry is experiencing a surge in demand due to advancements in technology, as well as an increasing interest in vintage and latest cards. Furthermore, sports card investing has been proven to be a lucrative endeavor for traders, and the industry is seeing an upswing in large prize pool events that offer growth opportunities. These factors are expected to drive growth in the sports trading cards market during the forecast period.

In recent news, a signed rookie card of basketball superstar LeBron James recently sold for a record-breaking USD 5.2 million at auction. The sale of this card further highlights the growing popularity of sports trading cards, especially those belonging to high-profile athletes. The upward trend is likely to continue as more collectors, investors, and traders look to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the sports trading cards market.

The trend among younger demographics shifting towards video games as a means of obtaining signed sports memorabilia or jerseys is expected to hinder the growth of the sports trading cards market during the forecasted period. Additionally, factors such as rising prices of sports cards, limited awareness about them, and the threat of e-sports betting pose potential restraints to the overall growth of the global sports trading cards market.

Segmentation Analysis

The global sports trading cards market is segmented based on material type, end-use, and geography.

By Product

Based on the product, the market is categorized into autograph cards, image cards, character cards, and others. The autograph cards segment holds the largest market share at 40.86% in 2022. Autograph cards, which comprise sports trading cards that have been signed by a professional athlete or player, are unique and valuable for fans, thus increasing their worth. These cards come in two forms, sticker autograph cards and on-card autograph cards, both of which are expected to be in high demand through the projected period, due to the rising value of these cards which has been fueling its demand for the market growth.

By Applications

Based on the application, the sports trading cards market is categorized into association football, baseball, basketball, boxing, cycling, cricket, and others. The association football generated the highest revenue of USD 3.56 billion in 2022. Factors that have contributed to the rise of association football is the improved fan experience at stadiums, which includes the incorporation of advanced technologies like video screens, high-speed Wi-Fi, and contactless payment options. These advancements have made attending football matches more convenient, comfortable, and immersive for football enthusiasts.

Additionally, the development of youth programs and training facilities that foster the growth and development potential of aspiring football players has elevated the quality of competition and standard of the game, consequently attracting more fans and viewership. As a result, there has been a significant increase in revenue generation for football associations and clubs.

Sports Trading Cards Market Regional Analysis

Based on regional analysis, the global sports trading cards market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA, and Latin America.

The North America Sports Trading Cards Market share stood around 60.89% in 2023 in the global market, with a valuation of USD 5.90 billion. The growing popularity of entertainment and sports in the region, particularly in the United States, is a significant driving force behind the upward trajectory of the regional market. This trend is concurrent with a broader phenomenon of expansion in global entertainment and sports industries and reflects shifting consumer preferences and increasing demand for these products.

Competitive Landscape

The global sports trading cards market study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the fragmented nature of the global market. Prominent players are focusing on several key business strategies such as partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, product innovations, and joint ventures to expand their product portfolio and increase their respective market shares across different regions. Expansion & investments involve a range of strategic initiatives including investments in R&D activities, new manufacturing facilities, and supply chain optimization.

List of Key Companies in Sports Trading Cards Market

• Futera
• Leaf Trading Cards, LLC
• The Upper Deck Company
• Ace Authentic
• Diamond Cards Online Store
• Athletes Unlimited
• TRISTAR Productions, Inc.
• PANINI S.P.A.

Key Industry Developments

• February 2021 (Partnership)- Athletes Unlimited and Topps have disclosed their plans to establish a mutual partnership with the goal of producing a unique series of trading cards exclusively for the first-ever Athletes Unlimited volleyball league. The trading cards will only be available for purchase online.

The Global Sports Trading Cards Market is segmented as:

By Product

• Autograph Card
• Image Card
• Character Card
• Other

By Application

• Association Football
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Boxing
• Cycling
• Cricket
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • North Africa
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America