eBay reports huge increase in sales of sports trading cards

New figures released by eBay reveal just how much the sports trading card market has grown in the last year.

The company's "State of Trading Cards" report notes that sales of trading cards were up 142% in 2020, with more than four million cards sold on the platform. Soccer cards experienced the biggest growth at 1,586%, followed by basketball (373%), hockey (258%), football (168%), and baseball (73%).

The top-selling player trading cards belonged to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Zion Williamson, and Mike Trout, according to the report. Notable sales included a 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady rookie card sold for $555,998 and a 1996 Topps Chrome Kobe rookie card that fetched $500,000.

Looking ahead, eBay expects collectors to begin investing more in 1980s and '90s basketball cards. The company also anticipates an increase in sales of non-traditional cards.