The Future of Collectibles: Sports Memorabilia Market to Hit $271 Billion by 2034

The growth of the trading card and memorabilia market seen in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic has been widely covered. Perhaps the subject of even more coverage has been the speculation that this growth is unsustainable. Based on new research from Market Decipher, there is reason to be very bullish on the future of the hobby!

NBA greats Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin have each had a hand in the growth of sports cards and memorabilia market. / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The trading card and memorabilia market has never been healthier according to new research from Market Decipher.

They predict that the global memorabilia and trading card market is poised for extraordinary growth, with forecasts predicting a surge from $33.6 billion in 2024 to a staggering $271.2 billion by 2034, according to the Market Decipher report. They note that through growing consumer interest, digitization, and expanding accessibility through online platforms, the market is expected to grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate of 22.1% over the next decade.

Key factors fueling this growth include the rising popularity of live commerce platforms like Fanatics Live, Whatnot, Ebay among others, which combine entertaining real-time interaction with instantaneous e-commerce. These emerging sales channels offer an engaging marketplace for fans and collectors alike. The pandemic accelerated the shift to e-commerce, with platforms like eBay seeing substantial surges in sales during lockdowns.

Fan loyalty and emotional connections to teams and athletes remain at the heart of this booming industry. Record-breaking auctions, such as Babe Ruth’s $24M World Series jersey and Michael Jordan’s $10.1M game-worn jersey, underscore the investment potential of iconic memorabilia. Yet, the market is becoming increasingly accessible to casual collectors through modern platforms offering authenticated items.

USA defeated Croatia 117-85 in the gold medal game of the Barcelona Summer Olympics August 8, 1992. This was the original Dream Team, and was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the NBA. The starting five consisted of Patrick Ewing, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Scottie Pippen. The team has been described as one of the greatest sports team ever assembled. / Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK

Sports trading cards represent a significant growth driver, with the sector projected to grow from $14.9 billion in 2024 to $52.1 billion by 2034. Technological advancements, including online trading and live events, have elevated the appeal of both modern and historical cards.

With North America and the Asia-Pacific regions leading the market, factors like rising affluence, urbanization, and demographic shifts are broadening the collector base. Peer-to-peer sales, university collectibles, and emerging markets highlight the evolving consumer mindset.

As the market expands, digital innovation, high-profile auctions, and fan-driven commerce will continue to shape the future of collectibles, transforming a nostalgic and beloved hobby into the high-value global industry.