This video covers the most expensive trading card ever sold from every major sport — spanning MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, F1, PGA, FIFA, WWE, Olympic sports, and more. From vintage baseball grails to ultra-modern 1-of-1 rookie patch autographs, these cards showcase the highest prices ever paid in sports card history.
Great question! Let’s break it down sport by sport — here’s a list of the most expensive sports trading cards ever sold (as of mid-2025):
🏀 Basketball
➡ LeBron James 2003–04 Upper Deck Exquisite RPA (Rookie Patch Auto) /23
- Sold for $5.2 million (2021 private sale)
- Features game-worn jersey patch + autograph
➡ Honorable mention: Michael Jordan 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green — sold for over $2 million (2022)
⚾ Baseball
➡ 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA 9.5 SGC)
- Sold for $12.6 million (2022 auction) — world record for any sports card
➡ Honorable mention: 1909 T206 Honus Wagner (various sales between $6 million and $7.25 million)
🏈 Football (American)
➡ Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures NFL Shield Rookie Auto 1/1
- Sold for $4.3 million (2021)
- Most expensive football card
⚽ Soccer
➡ Cristiano Ronaldo 2003 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Rookie Card (BGS 9.5)
- Sold for $312,000 (2021)
➡ Honorable mention: Lionel Messi 2004 Panini Mega Cracks Rookie — around $336,000 (2021)
🏒 Hockey
➡ Wayne Gretzky 1979 O-Pee-Chee Rookie Card (PSA 10)
- Sold for $3.75 million (2021)
⛳ Golf
➡ Tiger Woods 2001 SP Authentic Rookie Auto /900 (BGS 10)
- Top sales have reached around $369,000
🎾 Tennis
➡ Serena Williams 2003 NetPro Elite Glossy Rookie /100 (BGS 8.5)
- Sold for $266,400 (2022)
🥊 Boxing
➡ Muhammad Ali 1960 Hemmets Journal Rookie
- A PSA 10 example has fetched over $500,000
🏁 Formula 1 / Racing
➡ Lewis Hamilton 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire Padparadscha 1/1
- Sold for $900,000 (2022)