Collectors, flippers and investors are driving a boom in the Aussie trading card market with data from Australia’s most-visited shopping site1, eBay, revealing a 649% growth in sports trading cards like NBA and a 365% growth in collectible card games including Pokémon in the first three months of 20222.
The uplift comes following COVID-19 when eBay saw sales of collectible card games up 7,769% year-on-year in December 20203 thanks to a Pokémon resurgence driven by childhood nostalgia, people spending more time at home cleaning out their cupboards and the cancellation of live sports.
eBay Australia’s trading card expert, Alaister Low said, “The majority of cards sold on eBay are Pokémon, followed by sports cards, influenced by a growing NBA obsession. This is reflected in a 1,050% increase in NBA trading card sales4. Trading cards represent a moment in time and as a leader in trading cards and e-commerce, eBay is the home of passionate enthusiasts.”
What are people buying?
Pokémon cards recently experienced 300% growth5. The most popular cards feature Charizard and Pikachu, while the most valuable card sold on ebay.com.au in the past 12 months was a 1999 Pokémon Base Set Complete Collection featuring manufacturing errors for more than AUD $85,000. Marvel cards have also seen a 413% growth in sales over the past two years.
In the sporting category, NBA is the firm favourite. The highest priced card sold in Australia in the last year was an ultra-rare 2018-19 Prizm Luka Doncic Rookie Card (Dallas Mavericks) for AUD $140,000. There’s also been a spike in the past three months in Aussie sports like NRL (2,080%) and AFL (337%).
Trading card popularity also reflects real time moments. From March 2021-22, NBA trading cards with Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns increased in value by 500% and Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies by 350%. Since the Golden State Warriors’ victory in June - the team’s fourth NBA championship - eBay sales of Stephen Curry trading cards bounced 170%.
Where are they located?
Victoria leads with the most buyers and sellers nationwide followed by New South Wales. However, when it comes to specific areas, eBay’s top five postcodes for buying are predominantly in south-west Sydney (2170, 2560 - Liverpool, Campbelltown, etc.) and the outer suburbs of Melbourne City (3023, 3037, 3337 - Deer Park, Hillside, Melton, etc.).
Nate Tran, collector and Founder of iCollected on eBay, said the boom has helped build the community while providing an incubator for entrepreneurs. “What started as a project from my bedroom at age 17, trying to find those final cards for my Pokémon collection, has turned into a full time family business. I’ve sold half a million items and shipped 250,000 trading card parcels across the globe,” said Tran.
Low added, “The industry has evolved from its 1860s origins as collectibles in cigarette packs and with the rise of NFTs and the metaverse, the market is continuing to change. eBay has played a pivotal role in supporting the global trading card movement and we can’t wait to see what’s next. There’s a story behind every trading card and there’s nothing like getting your hands on that gem of a find!”
Aussies can buy and sell the broadest range of sport trading cards and collectible trading cards on ebay.com.au.
Notes to Editors:
1 https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/australia/category/e-commerce-and-shopping/ (2022)
2 ebay.com.au data looking at growth in the first three months of 2022 compared with 2019.
3 ebay.com.au data comparing December 2019 and December 2020.
4 ebay.com.au data comparing 2021 to 2019.
5ebay.com.au data comparing 2021 to 2019.
For more information, please contact:
History Will Be Kind, E: ebay@historywillbekind.com.au P: 02 8046 4848
Angela Pham, E: angela.pham@historywillbekind.com.au
About eBay:
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2021, eBay enabled over $87 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.