Introduction
The sports card market continues to deliver surprises, and this week’s countdown proves just how diverse and dynamic the hobby has become. Football, baseball, and hockey all make appearances in the Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week by Sports Card Investor, with several names generating unexpected momentum driven by performance, news, and collector demand.
From blockbuster offseason moves to elite NHL production and a historic Heisman Trophy win, the cards highlighted this week reflect how quickly narratives can shift and how fast prices can follow. Whether you collect modern stars, established veterans, or emerging prospects, this list offers a snapshot of what’s moving right now in one of the strongest sports card markets ever recorded.
Sports Card Market Pulse
According to Market Movers data, the overall sports card market remains firmly in growth mode:
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2025 Year-to-Date: Up over 31%
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Last 30 Days: Continued upward momentum with +1.4%
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Market Sentiment: Strong and optimistic heading into 2026
This places 2025 among the best years in sports card history, driven by increased collector participation, broader interest across multiple sports, and sustained demand for both modern and iconic cards. With this level of activity, short-term price swings are common, but the long-term trajectory remains clearly positive.
Now, let’s break down the players and cards driving attention this week.
Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week
#5. Jason Robertson
Jason Robertson continues to prove himself as one of the NHL’s most consistent elite scorers. Through his first 33 games, Robertson has posted 20 goals and 20 assists, anchoring the Dallas Stars’ offense with high-end finishing and playmaking.
Notable Card Movement:
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2020 SP Authentic Future Watch Auto /999 (PSA 10): ▲ from $315 → $458
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2020 Upper Deck Young Guns (PSA 10): ▲ from $85 → $127
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2020 Upper Deck Young Guns (Raw): ▲ from less than $15 → over $25
Robertson’s sustained production is translating directly into stronger hobby demand.
#4. Nathan MacKinnon
Nathan MacKinnon is once again performing at an MVP-caliber level. With 26 goals and 29 assists through 32 games, he currently sits among the NHL’s top point producers.
Notable Card Movement:
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2013 SP Authentic Future Watch Auto /999 (PSA 10): ▲ from $2,350 → $3,100+
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2013 Upper Deck Young Guns (PSA 10): ▲ from $683 → $980
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2013 Upper Deck Young Guns (PSA 9): ▲ 9% in 30 days
Elite performance plus long-established star power continues to reward collectors.
#3. Pete Alonso
One of the biggest surprises of the offseason, Pete Alonso’s move to the Baltimore Orioles, has reignited interest in his cards. Coming off a 46 HR, 118 RBI season, Alonso now joins a young, explosive lineup with championship aspirations.
Notable Card Movement:
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2019 Topps Chrome Base Rookie (PSA 10): ▲ from $11 → $36
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2019 Topps Chrome Refractor (PSA 10): ▲ from $41 → $50+
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2019 Topps Chrome Rookie Auto (PSA 10): Up 17% recently sold at $263
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2022 Topps Home Field Advantage SSP (Raw): ▲ from $25 → $30–$35
Team changes remain one of the strongest short-term catalysts in the baseball card market.
#2. George Pickens
George Pickens has quickly become a major offensive weapon for the Dallas Cowboys. Over his last five games, he has totaled 448 yards and two touchdowns, giving Dallas an explosive presence on the perimeter.
Notable Card Movement:
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2022 Contenders Optic Rookie Ticket Auto (Raw): Up 43% recently sold at $50
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2022 Prizm Silver (PSA 10): ▲ from $42 → $117
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2022 Prizm Red, White & Blue (PSA 10): ▲ from $39 → $70
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2022 Prizm Rookie Auto (Raw): ▲ from $50 → $103
Pickens’ surge highlights how quickly NFL cards can move when opportunity meets performance.
#1. Fernando Mendoza
The top card of the week belongs to Fernando Mendoza, the newly crowned Heisman Trophy winner. Mendoza delivered a historic season, leading Indiana to an undefeated record and its first Big Ten title since 1967.
2025 Season Highlights:
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71% completion rate
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Nearly 3,000 passing yards
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33 touchdowns, only 6 interceptions
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First Heisman winner in Indiana football history
Notable Card Movement:
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2025 Bowman Chrome University X-Fractor (Raw): Up 84% recently sold at $30
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Auto (Raw): ▲ from $141 → $214–$268
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Auto Refractor /299 (Raw): ▲ from $97 → $359
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Refractor (Raw): ▲ from $5 → $13–$22
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2025 Bowman Chrome University Yellow Refractor /350 (Raw): ▲ from $17.50 → $54
Mendoza’s cards experienced explosive growth almost overnight, classic Heisman-driven momentum.
FAQs
1. What drives weekly movement in sports card prices?
Key factors include on-field performance, major news (trades, awards, milestones), short-term hype cycles, and collector demand. Tools like Market Movers help track these changes in real time.
2. Why are college football cards gaining popularity?
With NIL deals and Bowman University products, college stars like Fernando Mendoza now have legitimate early-market cards that attract collectors before players reach the NFL.
3. Are hockey cards becoming more popular?
Yes. Elite NHL players like MacKinnon and Robertson are seeing increased hobby attention, especially as collectors diversify beyond football and basketball.
4. How much impact does a team change have on card prices?
A significant one. Pete Alonso’s move to Baltimore is a prime example of how offseason news can immediately boost card demand.
5. Should collectors chase short-term spikes?
Short-term spikes can be profitable but also risky. Savvy collectors monitor trends carefully and avoid overpaying during peak hype windows.
6. What’s the best way to track card values accurately?
Market analytics platforms such as Market Movers allow collectors to track sales history, price trends, and portfolio performance across millions of cards.
Conclusion
This week’s Top 5 Sports Cards of the Week highlights just how fast momentum can shift across the sports card hobby. From historic college football achievements to NHL dominance, NFL breakout performances, and MLB offseason moves, collectors are responding quickly and decisively.
With the overall market up more than 31% in 2025, opportunities remain plentiful for informed collectors who stay ahead of trends. As we head toward the next season and beyond, expect continued volatility but also continued growth across all major sports.
The hobby is as exciting as it’s been in years, and weeks like this prove exactly why.
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