The sports memorabilia market, valued at $26.1 billion in 2021, is projected to skyrocket to $227.2 billion by 2032, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.8%. This remarkable growth is fueled by the rising interest in both physical and digital sports collectibles, particularly non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Currently, NFT sports collectibles are valued at $1.4 billion and are expected to reach $92 billion by 2032.
The demand for sports memorabilia has surged, especially in developing Asia-Pacific (APAC) nations. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitalization, making it easier for collectors to access and purchase memorabilia through legitimate online platforms. Companies like eBay and Goldin Auctions have significantly benefited from this trend, with Goldin Auctions doubling its sales in 2021.
Several factors contribute to the rising prices of sports memorabilia, including the increasing wealth of baby boomers, the presence of millennials in the market, and growing interest from foreign buyers. Game-used items such as balls and jerseys are particularly in demand. The baseball trading cards segment held a significant market share in 2021. Auction sites like eBay and Auction of Champions have played a crucial role in transforming sports collectibles into a multi-billion-dollar industry. The core sports memorabilia market, excluding NFTs and cards, was valued at $12.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a rate of 15.6% from 2022 to 2032.
The Ukraine-Russian conflict has caused a temporary dip in the market, affecting the enthusiasm for NFTs and cryptocurrencies. However, platforms like NBA Top Shot, which offers officially licensed NBA NFTs, continue to show growth potential, having surpassed $1 billion in sales within two years. The physical collectibles market is expected to remain stable, with companies like Hasbro and Candy Digital launching new products and partnerships.
Fanatics, a leading sports memorabilia company, has been expanding into new areas such as sports betting and NFTs. In March 2022, Fanatics Collectible launched zerocool, a trading card brand that captures art, entertainment, and pop culture. The company has also secured rights from major sports leagues and acquired the leading sports trading card brand, Topps. Fanatics’ NFT business unit, Candy Digital, continues to innovate in the sports memorabilia space.
Football leads the sports memorabilia industry, generating $2.5 billion in sales from memorabilia alone. The trading card business also contributes significantly, with $2.5 billion in sales for football collectibles. Major sports leagues like the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB hold the majority of the market share. Licensed memorabilia sellers dominate the market, although specialized collectibles stores and offline auction houses also play a role. NFT sports collectibles are expected to grow exponentially, with a projected growth rate of 38% from 2022 to 2032.
The United States leads the global sports memorabilia market, accounting for around 70% of the market in 2021. However, the Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth, with a 34% increase in the overall sports memorabilia market. China is a significant market for collectibles, while India is emerging as a major destination for NFTs. The UK leads the European market, followed by France. The Middle East is also expected to see substantial growth, with a projected growth rate of 29.8% during the forecast period.
Companies like eBay are innovating in the space by launching Vault, a physical storage facility for valuable cards. This initiative requires cards to be graded by top graders, boosting the grading services industry. Key grading companies include Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC), and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). eBay plans to expand its Vault service to include additional collectibles categories and luxury goods by 2023.
Top companies in the sports collectibles and memorabilia market include The Topps Company, Futera Limited, The Upper Deck Company, Leaf Trading Cards, Panini S.P.A., Fanatics, Press Pass Collectibles, Tristar Productions, Gameday Sports Memorabilia, Bench Warmer, 757 Sports Collectibles, Sportscollections.com, Rittenhouse Archives, and Olx Global.
Key statistics highlight that sports memorabilia is part of the $412 billion collectibles industry, with over 60 million collectors involved. Trading cards are a dominant segment, and sports apparel, such as jerseys, holds a 30% market share. The National Football League (NFL) accounts for one-third of sales in the U.S., with California leading the market. Third-party online sellers are competing with licensed sellers, and the secondary market is particularly impactful in trading cards. By 2032, NFTs are expected to surpass half the value of physical collectibles.