The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up (Week of June 22nd, 2026)

Introduction

The sports card market continues its impressive run as the summer of 2026 heats up, and this week the FIFA World Cup is having a major impact on the hobby.

Soccer stars are driving significant momentum as collectors rush to acquire cards of players making headlines on the world's biggest stage. At the same time, baseball continues to produce breakout stars whose incredible performances are fueling explosive price increases.

This week's Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up features three soccer standouts, one of baseball's elite prospects, and a dominant young pitcher who has quickly become one of the hottest names in the hobby.

Let's dive into this week's biggest risers based on Sports Card Investor's latest Market Movers data.

Sports Card Market Pulse

The overall sports card market remains one of the strongest alternative collectible markets in 2026.

SCI 500 Index Performance:

📈 Up 0.2% over the last 7 days

📈 Up 3.7% over the last 30 days

📈 Up nearly 28% year-to-date

Several trends continue driving the market higher:

• FIFA World Cup excitement boosts soccer card demand

• Strong performances from MLB's next generation of stars

• Increased interest in affordable rookie cards

• Continued demand for graded cards and rare parallels

• Growing collector confidence across multiple sports

One of the biggest stories this month has been soccer's influence on the hobby. World Cup performances are creating rapid price swings, while baseball prospects continue to reward collectors who identified talent early.

The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up

5. Giovanni Reyna

The United States men's national team continues its impressive World Cup run, and midfielder Giovanni Reyna has become one of the tournament's biggest hobby winners.

Reyna's creativity, vision, and ability to generate scoring opportunities have made him a critical part of the American attack. As the U.S. advances into the knockout rounds, collectors are increasingly betting on a deep tournament run.

Key Card Movements:

• 2019 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Rookie (PSA 10): $10 → $35

• 2021 Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League Auto Neon Green Refractor /99 (PSA 10): Up 18%, recently sold for $26

• 2021 Topps Chrome UEFA Champions League Auto Gold Lava Refractor (PSA 9): $12 → $21

• 2022 Prizm World Cup Blue /299 (PSA 10): $29 → $60

Reyna's cards remain relatively affordable compared to many international stars, making him one of the more intriguing World Cup investments heading into the knockout stage.

4. Bryce Eldridge

San Francisco Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge continues proving why many scouts believe he possesses one of the highest offensive ceilings in baseball.

During his first 18 games of June, Eldridge hit .348 with four home runs and 12 RBIs, reinforcing his reputation as one of the game's premier power-hitting prospects.

Collectors have responded aggressively.

Key Card Movements:

• 2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Refractor 1st (PSA 10): Up 122%, $54 → $120

• 2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospect Auto 1st (PSA 10): $350 → $545

• 2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Prospect Auto 1st (Raw): $115 → $206

• 2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Sapphire Edition 1st (PSA 10): $87 → $140

• 2023 Bowman Draft Chrome Sapphire Edition 1st (Raw): $16 → $26

• 2024 Bowman's Best #B24-BE Auto (Raw): $30 → $55

As Eldridge continues developing into one of baseball's elite prospects, demand for his First Bowman cards continues climbing.

3. Folarin Balogun

Few players have boosted their profile more during the World Cup than Folarin Balogun.

The United States striker burst onto the global stage by scoring twice against Paraguay, becoming the first American player since 1930 to score multiple goals in a World Cup match. His finishing ability has quickly made him one of Team USA's most exciting young stars.

Key Card Movements:

• 2021 Prizm Premier League Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $90 → $225

• 2021 Prizm Premier League Pink Ice Rookie (PSA 10): $190 → $275

• 2021 Prizm Premier League Base Rookie (PSA 10): $65 → $165

• 2021 Prizm Premier League Red Ice Rookie (Raw): $30 → $50

Balogun's breakout performances have dramatically increased collector demand, and another strong World Cup outing could push prices even higher.

2. Lionel Messi

Even at 38 years old, Lionel Messi continues rewriting soccer history. Argentina's captain has delivered another memorable World Cup campaign, recording a hat trick against Algeria before adding two more goals against Austria. Those performances elevated him to the tournament's all-time leading goal scorer and reignited collector enthusiasm across nearly every era of his card market.

Key Card Movements:

• 2014 Prizm World Cup Base (PSA 10): Up 11%,  $373 → $450

• 2014 Prizm World Cup Base (Raw): $39 → $63

• 2014 Panini World Cup Stickers (PSA 10): $190 → $280

• 2022 Panini Instant World Cup Base (PSA 10): $280 → $405

• 2025 Donruss Road to FIFA World Cup Kaboom (Raw): $2,000 → $3,800

Whenever Messi creates another historic moment, the hobby responds. This latest World Cup run has once again demonstrated why his cards remain among soccer's most collectible.

1. Jacob Misiorowski

The Milwaukee Brewers flamethrowing right-hander has rapidly emerged as one of baseball's most dominant young pitchers. His overpowering arsenal and league-leading production have made him one of the hobby's biggest breakout stars.

Collectors simply can't get enough of "The Miz."

Key Card Movements:

• 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome Sapphire Edition 1st (PSA 10): $326 → $1,025

• 2022 Bowman Draft Chrome Sapphire Edition 1st (Raw): $50 → $185

• 2026 Bowman Final Draft SSP (Raw): $220 → $275

• 2026 Topps Chrome Black (Raw): Approximately $10 → $25

• 2026 Topps Heritage Chrome Refractor (Raw): $10–15 → Over $50

• 2026 Topps Series 1 Home Field Advantage SSP (Raw): $195 → $358

Misiorowski's incredible rise continues to captivate collectors, and every dominant outing seems to push his market to another level.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are soccer cards performing so well right now?

The FIFA World Cup consistently creates increased collector demand as players gain worldwide exposure. Strong tournament performances often lead to immediate increases in card values.

2. Why is Jacob Misiorowski's market rising so quickly?

Misiorowski has established himself as one of baseball's most dominant young pitchers, combining elite velocity with outstanding results. His rapid emergence has made him one of the hobby's hottest names.

3. Are Bryce Eldridge cards a good long-term hold?

Many collectors view Eldridge as one of baseball's top power-hitting prospects. His continued development has helped fuel growing demand for his First Bowman cards.

4. Why are rookie cards usually the biggest movers?

Rookie cards generally represent a player's first major licensed release, making them the most desirable cards as collectors anticipate future success.

5. What is the SCI 500 Index?

The SCI 500 Index tracks the performance of 500 of the most prominent sports cards, providing collectors with a snapshot of the overall sports card market.

Conclusion

This week's rankings perfectly illustrate how quickly the sports card market reacts to elite performances.

The FIFA World Cup has fueled tremendous demand for stars like Giovanni Reyna, Folarin Balogun, and Lionel Messi, while baseball continues to produce exciting investment opportunities through Bryce Eldridge and Jacob Misiorowski.

With the SCI 500 Index continuing its strong climb and collector enthusiasm remaining high, the hobby shows no signs of slowing down.

As the World Cup knockout stage begins and Major League Baseball enters the heart of its season, expect even more volatility, breakout performances, and exciting opportunities for sports card collectors.

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Interested? Explore these articles:

• The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up (Week of June 15th, 2026)

• The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up (Week of June 8th, 2026)

• The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up (Week of June 1st, 2026)