Demand for sports memorabilia is particularly strong in developing Asia-Pacific (APAC) markets. Digital platforms like eBay and Goldin Auctions have made collectibles more accessible, further boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic’s push toward online transactions. This accessibility has enabled Goldin Auctions to double its sales in 2021 alone, underscoring the shifting landscape toward digital purchasing.
The market’s growth is also influenced by several demographic factors, such as increasing interest among millennials, the purchasing power of baby boomers, and the expanding presence of international buyers. High-demand items include game-used memorabilia like jerseys and balls, with baseball cards retaining a significant share of the market. In 2021, the core memorabilia market (excluding NFTs and cards) was valued at $12.2 billion, expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.6% through 2032.
The market has seen minor setbacks, such as those caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which dampened enthusiasm for NFTs and cryptocurrency. However, NFT platforms like NBA Top Shot remain resilient, surpassing $1 billion in sales within just two years. Meanwhile, the physical collectibles market continues to flourish, with companies such as Hasbro and Candy Digital entering the space with new offerings.
Fanatics, a major player in sports memorabilia, has expanded its reach into sports betting and NFTs. In 2022, Fanatics Collectibles launched zerocool, a trading card brand featuring art and pop culture alongside sports. With exclusive rights from major sports leagues and its acquisition of Topps, Fanatics continues to dominate, while its NFT branch, Candy Digital, remains an innovative force.
In terms of sports popularity, football memorabilia leads, generating $2.5 billion in annual sales for both memorabilia and trading cards. Major leagues like the NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB occupy the largest market shares. Licensed memorabilia sellers are key players, though specialized stores and offline auctions contribute as well. NFTs are expected to drive future growth, with an anticipated 38% CAGR from 2022 to 2032.
Geographically, the U.S. dominates the sports memorabilia market, holding approximately 70% of the share as of 2021. However, the APAC region is growing swiftly, with a 34% rise in the memorabilia market, especially in China and emerging NFT interest in India. The UK leads Europe, followed by France, while the Middle East is expected to grow at a rate of 29.8% during the forecast period.
To accommodate valuable collectibles, companies like eBay are introducing innovative solutions such as Vault, a physical storage facility requiring professional grading. This initiative supports growth in the grading industry, with companies like PSA, SGC, and BGS leading the market. eBay plans to expand Vault to include more categories by 2023.
Leading companies in this expanding market include The Topps Company, Panini S.P.A., Fanatics, Upper Deck, Leaf Trading Cards, Press Pass Collectibles, Tristar Productions, and more. The sports memorabilia segment, part of the broader $412 billion collectibles industry, involves over 60 million collectors. Trading cards dominate, and sports apparel holds a 30% market share, with the NFL accounting for one-third of sales in the U.S. By 2032, NFTs are expected to represent over half of the market’s value, reshaping the future of sports memorabilia.
