In a world where trading card game (TCG) enthusiasts and collectors once idolized the sports card as the holy grail of collectibles, 2025 has ushered in a shocking heir to the throne. Pokémon cards have ascended to the apex of collectible grading, monopolizing submission numbers and cementing their status as a titan in the arena of collectible trading cards.
Drawing insights from recent data published by GemRate, the behemoth Pokémon franchise now rules the roost at major third-party grading companies, where it commands an astounding share of the submissions pie. The findings reveal that a jaw-dropping 97 of the top 100 most-graded cards at Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) are Pokémon cards. This seismic shift is emblematic of the explosive growth in popularity of non-sports and TCG cards, which together accounted for 59% of all graded submissions across the big four authenticators in the first half of 2025.
As we delve into the numbers, it becomes clear that this phenomenon is not merely a ripple but an overwhelming wave. Between January and June, grading companies processed an eye-watering total of 7.2 million TCG and non-sports cards—a staggering 70% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the once-venerated sports card category saw a slight retreat, with submissions dwindling to 5.1 million, marking a 9% decline.
Standing out among the flood of submissions is the Japanese card “Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232,” which, with over 45,600 copies graded, has become the most graded individual card of the year. Yet, it is Pikachu, the perennial face of the Pokémon franchise, that truly dominates the scene. In 2025 alone, more than 345,000 graded Pikachu cards have cemented its legacy, none more notable than the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” from its famed Van Gogh Museum collaboration. This particular card is not just a collector’s item but a veritable phenomenon, with nearly 84,000 graded pieces making it PSA’s most submitted Pokémon card ever. Despite its ubiquity, the card remains a hot commodity, with PSA 10 examples fetching over $900, proving that rarity is not the only hallmark of value.
In terms of competition, sports cards have experienced a fall from grace. Only three have broken into PSA’s top 100 most-graded list: two featuring football sensation Jayden Daniels, a rookie from 2024 Panini Prizm and a 2024 Donruss edition, and another card highlighting WNBA ROY Caitlin Clark from Panini Instant. These managed submissions ranging from a respectable 8,800 to 10,500 each.
Taking a closer look at June’s grading landscape reinforces the trend: TCG and non-sports cards held 63% of the submission share. PSA alone graded a whopping 911,000 cards in this category, outstripping the combined total of 743,000 sports cards graded by all four major companies.
The Phoenix-like rise of Pokémon in card grading can be linked to various factors, with collaboration playing a key role. Grading behemoth PSA’s strategic partnership with retail giant GameStop, inaugurated in October of the previous year, is a notable catalyst, bringing in more than a million grading submissions and amplifying the craze.
The Pokémon impact extends beyond grading and finds fertile ground in the retail sphere, where supply struggles to keep up with insatiable demand. Shelves are often stripped bare upon new releases, forcing retailers to implement restrictions on purchase quantities to ensure everyone gets a taste of the action.
Amid this resounding symphony of Pokémon enthusiasm, CGC Cards has etched itself a significant piece of the action. The company has graded an impressive 2.18 million cards thus far in 2025, a figure nearly mirroring its entire output from the previous year. Tellingly, over 1.8 million of these are TCG or non-sports related.
On the other hand, not all is rosy for every player. Beckett, another grading firm, appears to be facing headwinds. Its grading volume has plummeted, relegating it to the fourth spot among top graders. Of the 366,000 cards Beckett processed in 2025, about 214,000 were Pokémon or TCG-centric.
With such vivid statistics, the resounding message is clear: the Pokémon phenomenon is no fleeting fad, and its grip on the world of trading cards is fierce. Pokémon’s takeover is not merely the story of the year but potentially of the decade, redefining collector priorities and catapulting TCGs to unprecedented pinnacles. As it stands, Pokémon cards have not only overpowered the sports card nobility but seemed destined to shape the future of collectibles.
