Do Pokémon Cards Beat Memorabilia for Market Size?
When collectors talk about market size, they often compare Pokémon cards to sports memorabilia like signed jerseys, game-used bats, or autographed photos. Sports memorabilia covers a huge world of items tied to athletes and events, while Pokémon cards focus on trading card games. The short answer is no, Pokémon cards do not beat sports memorabilia in overall market size. Sports memorabilia dominates with a much larger industry, but Pokémon cards hold their own in the trading card space and show strong growth potential.[1][2][4]
Start with the numbers. The global trading card market, which includes Pokémon and other games, sits at about $7.5 billion in 2025. It grows at a steady 7 to 8 percent each year. Sports trading cards alone make up a big chunk of that, projected to jump from $1.98 billion in 2025 to $6.1 billion by 2034 at a faster 13.3 percent growth rate.[1][2] Sports memorabilia goes way beyond just cards. It includes jerseys, balls, helmets, and more, pushing the full collectibles industry into the $100 billion range according to recent talks in the space.[4] Pokémon cards drive a lot of hype, topping eBay searches for 2025 alongside terms like PSA 10 grades, but they stay within the smaller trading card slice.[3]
Why does sports memorabilia win on size? It has deeper roots and broader appeal. North America leads with 45 percent of the sports card market alone, fueled by nostalgia from older fans and stars like NFL or NBA players. Companies like Panini and Topps lock in exclusive deals that boost sales in both physical and digital forms.[2] Pokémon relies on its core fans, tight control by The Pokémon Company, and rare vintage cards like First Edition Charizard, which can hit $400,000 in top grades.[1][5] Those icons deliver huge returns, around 3,821 percent since 2004, beating the stock market.[1] Still, the brand’s scarcity comes from limited old supply, not the endless stream of new sets.
Memorabilia pulls in more casual buyers too. Think of a signed Michael Jordan jersey or a Babe Ruth bat. These items tie to real-life heroes and moments, drawing sports fans who might never touch a Pikachu card. Pokémon shines in gaming culture, with kids and young adults chasing pack openings on YouTube or building decks. But shifts to esports and video games slow growth for physical sports items among Gen Z.[2] Pokémon faces its own issues, like overproduction in modern sets causing price drops of 20 to 46 percent on recent releases.[6]
For Pokémon card hunters on PokemonPricing.com, this means focus on what works best in your niche. Vintage and trophy cards hold steady value thanks to fixed supply and fan loyalty. Sports memorabilia offers bigger scale, but Pokémon matured faster into a reliable asset class in just 25 years.[1] Prices fluctuate, with modern Pokémon cooling off in late 2025, creating buyer opportunities if you spot deals on graded gems.[6] Track both markets to see where your collection fits, but memorabilia sets the size bar higher for now.[1][2][4]
