Introduction
The sports card market is on fire, and proves just how fast momentum can build when performance, playoff runs, and championship narratives collide. Football cards are going absolutely nuclear as the Super Bowl approaches, while baseball prospects and rising hockey stars are also seeing sharp price movement across the hobby.
Collectors and investors alike are watching prices jump in real time as demand pours into key rookies, breakout performers, and quarterbacks playing on the biggest stage. If you’re tracking the market closely or wondering where the action is, this breakdown from Sports Card Investor highlights the top five sports cards heating up, based on recent sales data, player performance, and market trends.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The overall sports card market continues its upward trajectory, picking up right where it left off at the end of last year.
According to Market Movers, the SEI 500 Index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards, has surged:
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Up 8% over the last 7 days
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Up 4.7% over the last 30 days
This sustained growth signals strong collector confidence heading into the heart of the sports calendar. Football playoff excitement, college football hype, and offseason speculation in baseball and hockey are all contributing to increased buying activity. Simply put, demand is outpacing supply in several key areas of the market.
Now let’s get into the cards making the biggest moves.
The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up
5. Matthew Knies
Matthew Knies has elevated his game at the perfect time, becoming a physical and offensive presence for the Maple Leafs during a crucial stretch of the season. Over the past month, Knies has recorded six goals and eight assists, consistently creating chances around the net and winning puck battles. That on-ice momentum has translated directly into the card market.
Key card movement includes:
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2023 SP Authentic Future Watch Auto /999 (PSA 10): Jumped from roughly $600 to the $900
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2023 SP Authentic Future Watch Auto /999 (Raw): from $295 to $318
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (PSA 10): Increased from $199 to $228
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns Base (Raw): from $33 to $38
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2023 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Silver (PSA 10): from $255 to $308
Knies is solidifying himself as a long-term contributor in Toronto, and collectors are responding accordingly.
4. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has officially arrived. The Seahawks' wide receiver has delivered a true breakout season and has become a focal point of Seattle’s offense during their playoff run. With Seattle now headed to the Super Bowl, JSN’s cards have exploded.
Notable price increases include:
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2023 Donruss Downtown Rookie (PSA 10): Over $1,500, up from $900 a month ago
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2023 Donruss Downtown Rookie (Raw): Around $690, up from $420
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2023 Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $275, up from $210
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2023 Prizm Silver Rookie Auto (PSA 10): $498, up from $450
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2025 Absolute Kaboom (Raw): Nearly $1,000, up from $600
Playoff success plus Super Bowl exposure is a powerful combination, and Smith-Njigba’s cards are reacting fast.
3. Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza is one of the biggest surprise explosions in the sports card market this year. After winning the Heisman Trophy and leading Indiana to a national championship, Mendoza is now widely expected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Collectors have rushed into his cards from 2025 Bowman Chrome University, driving staggering gains.
Highlights include:
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Refractor (Raw): Up nearly 300%, from $11 to $50+
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto (Raw): Around $400, up from $200
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Pink Lava Refractor (Raw): from $15 to $53
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2025 Bowman Chrome University X-Fractor (Raw): from $17-$22 to $56
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Yellow Refractor /350 (Raw): Jumped from $30 to over $120
This is a textbook example of how college dominance, combined with draft hype, can ignite a card market almost overnight.
2. Drake Maye
Drake Maye continues to justify the hype. After leading the Patriots to a playoff victory and securing a Super Bowl appearance, his postseason performance has kept his cards among the hottest in the entire hobby. Across the playoffs, Maye has thrown for over 500 yards and four touchdowns, while protecting the football and delivering in key moments.
Major card movement includes:
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2024 Absolute Kaboom (PSA 10): Around $6,000, up from $3,500
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2024 Donruss Downtown (PSA 10): $4,650, up from $3,225
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2024 Optic Holo (PSA 10): $500–$650 range, up from $425
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2024 Prizm Silver (PSA 10): Over $1,800, up from $1,600
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2024 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto (Raw): from $701 to $888
Super Bowl quarterbacks rarely cool off, and Maye’s market remains red-hot heading into the biggest game of the year.
1. Sam Darnold
The hottest card market story of the week belongs to Sam Darnold. Now the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, Darnold has delivered a composed and efficient postseason run, leading Seattle past both the Rams and 49ers. Over those wins, he threw for 470 yards and four touchdowns, earning his second Super Bowl appearance in three years, this time as a starter. His rookie cards have gone absolutely nuclear.
Highlights include:
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2018 Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto (PSA 10): $925, up from $600
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2018 Donruss Base (PSA 10): $107, up from $30
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2018 Optic Base (PSA 10): $150, up from $73
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2018 Optic Downtown (PSA 10): Around $1,800, up from $630
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2018 Prizm Base (PSA 10): $100, up from $45
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2018 Prizm Premier Jerseys (Raw): Up over 600%, from $4 to $33
Across every price tier, Sam Darnold’s cards are surging, making him the clear number one this week.
FAQs
1. Why are football cards surging right now?
Playoff and Super Bowl performances create massive short-term demand, especially for quarterbacks and star skill players.
2. Are college football cards worth collecting?
Yes. Elite college players with strong NFL draft projections, like Fernando Mendoza, can see explosive price growth.
3. Do PSA 10 cards matter more than raw cards?
PSA 10 cards typically command higher premiums, but raw cards can still see massive percentage gains during hype cycles.
4. What tool is best for tracking sports card prices?
Market Movers is widely used to track real-time price changes, trends, and collection values.
5. Can prices drop after the season ends?
Yes. Many cards cool off after playoff exits, or once offseason hype fades, making timing critical.
Conclusion
This week’s sports card market shows just how powerful performance and narrative can be. Football cards are dominating the hobby, led by Sam Darnold and Drake Maye, while breakout stars like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Fernando Mendoza continue to attract heavy interest. Hockey also remains strong, with Matthew Knies proving that momentum matters across all sports.
As the market continues its upward climb, staying informed, tracking data, and understanding timing are more important than ever. Whether you’re buying, selling, or holding, the heat in the sports card market is undeniable, and it’s not cooling down anytime soon.
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