Introduction
As spring training inches closer, the sports card market is already reacting.
Baseball prospects are starting to attract serious attention, while football cards remain red-hot during Super Bowl weekend. Add in a pair of NHL stars playing some of their best hockey of the season, and you have a market that continues to reward collectors who stay ahead of the trends.
This list highlights a perfect mix of seasonal momentum, on-field performance, and long-term upside across baseball, football, and hockey. Before we count down the top five sports cards heating up by Sports Card Investor, let’s take a quick look at the overall market.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The sports card market continues to move higher, extending a strong start to the year.
According to Market Movers, the SEI 500 Index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards, shows:
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Up 2% over the last 7 days
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Up over 5% in the last 30 days
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Up more than 6% since January 1st
Zooming out even further, the index finished 2025 up more than 30%, a powerful reminder that the hobby’s long-term trend remains firmly intact. With football peaking, baseball awakening, and hockey gaining traction, momentum is coming from multiple directions at once.
Now let’s get into the cards making the biggest moves.
The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up
5. Cale Makar
Cale Makar has once again elevated his play, driving the Avalanche from the blue line during an important stretch of the season. Logging heavy minutes and controlling play in all situations, Makar continues to remind collectors why he’s one of the most dynamic defensemen in the NHL.
His card market has responded accordingly:
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2019 SP Authentic Retro Future Watch Auto /399 (PSA 10): Around $778, up roughly 5%
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2019 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (PSA 10): from $595 to $713, up close to 20%
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2019 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (Raw): Up over 50%, from $115-$225 to $400
With a Stanley Cup already on his résumé and another potential playoff run ahead, Makar’s cards are showing renewed strength.
4. Cole Caufield
Cole Caufield found another offensive gear in January, becoming a consistent scoring threat for the Canadiens. His ability to create offense in tight games has kept him central to Montreal’s attack and firmly on collectors’ radar.
Recent card movement includes:
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2021 SP Authentic Future Watch Auto /999 (PSA 10): from $443 to 457
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2021 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (PSA 10): from $162 to $238, up 47% in 30 days
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2021 Upper Deck Dazzlers Red (PSA 10): $61 with only a couple of sales
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2021 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (Raw): Around $41, up from $27
Caufield’s scoring touch and growing role continue to translate well into sustained card demand.
3. Colston Loveland
Even with the Bears’ season over, Colston Loveland’s cards continue to climb. The rookie tight end closed the year strong, becoming a reliable target in the middle of the field and delivering in key moments. Over his final five games, Loveland totaled 15 receptions for 236 yards, including a standout playoff performance that cemented optimism around his future.
His rookie cards are trending sharply upward:
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2025 Absolute Kaboom (Raw): from $522 to $630, up 21%
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2025 Donruss Rated Rookie Auto Green (Raw): $63, up from $37
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2025 Elite Pen Pals Auto (Raw): $70, up from $50
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2025 Mosaic Rookie Auto (Raw): $72, up from under $60
Tight ends who build early chemistry with young quarterbacks often see sustained interest, and Loveland fits that profile perfectly.
2. JJ Wetherholt
Prospect season has officially arrived. JJ Wetherholt has emerged as one of the most polished hitting prospects in baseball, combining elite contact skills with advanced plate discipline. With spring training approaching and a potential early-season call-up in play, collectors are positioning themselves early.
Here’s how his cards are moving:
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2025 Bowman Chrome 1st Prospect (PSA 10): from $68-$70 to $79
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2025 Bowman Chrome 1st Prospect Auto (Raw): $214, up from $169
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2025 Bowman Chrome 1st Prospects Reptilian Refractor (Raw): $22.50, up from $18
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2025 Bowman Chrome 1st Prospect Auto Blue /150 (Raw): Recent $1,500 sale, up from $1,000–$1,200
This is classic preseason prospect momentum, and Wetherholt is quickly becoming one of the most-watched names in the hobby.
1. Shohei Ohtani
At number one this week, it’s Shohei Ohtani, and remarkably, his cards continue to rise even in the offseason. Coming off a World Series win, Ohtani’s market hasn’t cooled at all. Instead, excitement around another potential MVP-caliber season has pushed his cards even higher, a rare offseason phenomenon for a superstar at this level.
Recent sales highlight just how strong his market is:
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2018 Bowman Base Pitching (PSA 10): from $270 to $370
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2018 Bowman Chrome Batting (PSA 10): from $3,000 to $3,600–$4,000
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2018 Topps Chrome Pitching (PSA 10): $725, up from under $500
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2018 Topps Chrome Pitching Refractor (PSA 10): from $2,000 to $2,400
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2018 Topps Update Base (PSA 10): from $222-$237 to $300
Over the past year, several of Ohtani’s rookie cards have been up 150% to over 300%, an extraordinary run for already high-end cards. With elite production on both sides of the ball and championship expectations once again in Los Angeles, the demand remains relentless.
FAQs
1. Why are baseball cards heating up before spring training?
Collectors anticipate breakouts, call-ups, and strong starts, which drive early demand for prospects and stars.
2. Do football cards still rise after the season ends?
Yes. Strong finishes, playoff performances, and offseason optimism can extend momentum well beyond the final game.
3. Are hockey cards undervalued compared to football and baseball?
In many cases, yes. Elite NHL players often see slower but steadier long-term growth.
4. Is Shohei Ohtani’s market sustainable?
Ohtani is a rare exception due to his two-way dominance and global appeal, which supports ongoing demand.
5. Should collectors focus on raw or graded cards?
Both have advantages. Raw cards often show higher percentage gains, while graded cards offer stability and liquidity.
6. What’s the best way to track sports card prices?
Tools like Market Movers allow collectors to track real-time price changes and manage their collections efficiently.
Conclusion
This week’s sports card market shows strength across the board. Hockey stars like Cale Makar and Cole Caufield are building momentum, football rookies like Colston Loveland continue to impress, and baseball is officially waking up as spring training approaches.
At the top, Shohei Ohtani once again proves that true generational talent can defy normal market cycles. With multiple sports contributing to the surge, the overall outlook for collectors remains extremely positive.
Momentum is building, and the market is paying attention.
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