Introduction
The sports card market remains as exciting and unpredictable as ever. From rising basketball stars to resurgent quarterbacks and promising hockey rookies, collectors are watching prices move fast across all sports.
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up by Sports Card Investor highlights breakout performances and investment-worthy trends across football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. With vintage legends still commanding strong sales, the mix of old and new has collectors buzzing.
Let’s break down the latest movers in the hobby and see which cards are commanding attention across the market.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The SEI 500 Index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards, climbed again this week up more than 30% year-to-date. Despite seasonal fluctuations, 2025 has been one of the best years on record for collectors and investors.
Baseball and basketball cards continue to dominate in sales volume, while hockey and football are seeing major surges driven by young stars like Macklin Celebrini and Sam Darnold. With renewed global interest and steady hobby growth, analysts agree: the momentum is far from slowing down.
Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up This Week
#5. Jakub Dobes
The Canadiens’ promising young goaltender, Jakub Dobes, is putting up elite numbers early this season, boasting a .920 save percentage and a 2.25 goals-against average, ranking among the NHL’s top goalies.
Card Market Movement:
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 10: Up +32%, from $153 to $225
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 9: Up from $100 to $167
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base Raw: Doubled from $20 to $40 in the last 30 days
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Silver Raw: Up from $82 to $105
Dobes’ steady composure and breakout play have given Montreal fans hope and investors a hot card to chase.
#4. Macklin Celebrini
The San Jose Sharks’ top young center, Macklin Celebrini, continues to dominate in his sophomore season, piling up 24 points in just 16 games. His leadership and offensive prowess make him the centerpiece of San Jose’s rebuild.
Card Market Movement:
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 10: Up +44%, from $400 to $722
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base PSA 9: Up from under $100 to $204
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base Raw: Up from under $100 to $182
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2024 Upper Deck Exclusives /100 Raw: Recently sold for $1,850
Collectors see Celebrini as one of hockey’s brightest stars, and his card prices are reflecting superstar potential.
#3. Bo Bichette
Toronto’s shortstop Bo Bichette continues to prove he’s one of MLB’s most consistent hitters. After another .300+ season and a strong postseason showing, Bichette’s cards have surged thanks to his reliable production and leadership.
Card Market Movement:
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2016 Bowman Draft Chrome 1st PSA 10: Up from $20 to $40
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2016 Bowman Draft Chrome 1st Auto Refractor BGS 9.5: Up from $215 to $281
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2020 Topps Chrome Refractor PSA 10: Up from $20 to $30
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2020 Topps Chrome Prism Refractor PSA 10: Up from $17 to $40
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2020 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto Refractor /499 PSA 10: From $106 to $224 in the last 30 days
Collectors love Bichette’s mix of youth, consistency, and pedigree, a perfect combination for long-term holds.
#2. Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold is rewriting his narrative in Seattle. With a 65% completion rate, sharp decision-making, and impressive chemistry with his receivers, the former top pick has become one of the NFL’s best comeback stories of 2025.
Card Market Movement:
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2017 Select XRC Prizm Redemption PSA 10: Up +51%, from $130 to $269
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2018 Donruss Base PSA 10: From $30 to $47
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2018 Optic PSA 10: From $45 to $90, 30 days ago
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2018 Optic Downtown PSA 10: From $610 to $950
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2018 Prizm Base PSA 10: Up from $23 to $60
Darnold’s renewed confidence and Seattle’s playoff push have made his rookie cards some of the hottest in football right now.
#1. Tyrese Maxey
There’s no stopping Tyrese Maxey. Averaging over 25 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, he’s evolved into a true NBA star and cornerstone of the 76ers franchise.
Card Market Movement:
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2020 Donruss Base PSA 10: Up from $20 to $40
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2020 Optic PSA 10: From $15 to $45
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2020 Optic Blue Velocity PSA 10: From $44 to $93
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2020 Prizm Silver PSA 10: Doubled from $200 to nearly $400
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2020 Prizm Base PSA 10: Up from $27 to $50
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2020 Prizm Draft Downtown PSA 10: Up to $375 from $230 in October
Maxey’s explosive performance and consistency have collectors labeling this as the start of the “Maxey Momentum.” His cards are now among the most actively traded across basketball marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What drives sports card prices up?
Player performance, team success, rarity, and card grading quality are the biggest factors. A hot streak or record-breaking moment can cause prices to spike overnight.
2. Which sports are currently leading the market?
Basketball and football continue to dominate modern card sales, while hockey and baseball remain strong, especially with young stars like Maxey and Celebrini.
3. Are rookie cards still the best investments?
Yes, rookie cards consistently offer the highest potential returns, especially in PSA 9 or PSA 10 grades.
4. What tools can I use to track card prices?
Use platforms like Market Movers, Card Ladder, and 130Point for real-time tracking, pricing analytics, and sales history.
5. What’s the sports card market outlook heading into 2026?
Experts expect steady growth, driven by new collectors, global expansion, and tech-driven pricing platforms. Diversification and timing remain key to long-term success.
Conclusion
From Tyrese Maxey’s NBA explosion to Sam Darnold’s NFL redemption and Macklin Celebrini’s hockey dominance, this week’s Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up proves that performance still drives passion and profit in the sports card world.
With the SEI 500 Index up over 30% year-to-date, the market remains vibrant. Whether you’re collecting for nostalgia, investing for returns, or simply enjoying the hobby, the message is clear: the sports card market is alive, dynamic, and stronger than ever.
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