The global trading card market reached $7.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $11.8 billion by 2030, achieving a CAGR of 7.9%. North America remains the dominant player, with the U.S. and Canada leading in demand. The broader collectibles sector, including non-TCG cards, was valued at $13 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to hit $21 billion by 2034.
🔢 Grading Volumes (May 2025)
May 2025 marked a historic high with 2.4 million cards graded across all major companies, up 14% from April and 36% year-over-year.
Grader | Total Cards Graded | Sports Cards | TCG/Non-Sports | 2025 Market Share | Gem Rate (Sports / TCG) |
PSA | 1,650,000 | 602,000 | 1,048,000 | 72% | 43.2% / 59.2% |
CGC | 570,000 | 177,000 | 393,000 | Fastest-growing | 66.7% (TCG) |
SGC | 145,000 | 133,000 | 12,000 | Vintage sports | 34.8% (Sports) |
Beckett (BGS) | 59,000 | 26,000 | 33,000 | Subgrades niche | 53.5% (Sports) |
Notably:
- PSA led with 1.65M cards graded in May, and 8.9M cards in the first half of 2025.
- CGC recorded explosive growth with a 209% YoY increase, set to grade 10 million cards by year-end.
- SGC saw a 13% MoM decline, indicating its vintage niche but limited expansion.
- BGS graded fewer than 60K cards, focusing on precision and subgrades.
🧠 Why Card Grading Matters in 2025
Grading cards is now a vital part of collecting, investing, and preserving value. With a 43% overall gem rate across companies in 2025, collectors are more strategic than ever. Authentic slabs help:
- Prevent fraud in a market worth $7.8 billion
- Maximize resale value, PSA 10s often sell for 2–5x more
- Protect the condition long-term
🔍 How We Ranked the Grading Companies
Factor | Description |
Accuracy | Consistency in identifying flaws |
Turnaround Time | Processing speed and backlog handling |
Resale Value | Historical price trends and auction premiums |
Cost | Affordability across service tiers |
Slab Design | Aesthetic appeal, label clarity, and durability |
🥇 PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
- Gem Rate: 43.2% (Sports), 59.2% (TCG)
- Strength: Best resale premiums
- Weakness: Slower turnaround without membership
🥈 CGC Cards
- Gem Rate: 66.7% (TCG) – highest in the industry
- Projected Volume: 10M cards in 2025
- Best for: Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh
- Strength: Affordable, rapid service
🥉 SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation)
- Sports Cards Focus: 133,000 out of 145,000 graded in May
- Gem Rate: 34.8% (Sports) – toughest grader
- Specialty: Vintage baseball and football
- Trend: Now grading more vintage cards than PSA
📉 Beckett (BGS)
- Gem Rate: 53.5% (Sports)
- Niche: Known for subgrades and thicker slabs
- Resale: Slightly behind PSA in pricing power
🧬 Grading Trends & Notable Sales (2024–2025)
- A CGC Pristine 10 Alpha Black Lotus sold for $3 million in April 2024
- PSA 10s remain the gold standard for resale
- SGC is now grading more vintage sports cards than PSA
- CGC is gaining momentum in TCG dominance
- Average grading fees:
- PSA/BGS: Premium tier ($30–$100+)
- CGC/SGC: Budget-friendly ($9–$25)
✅ Final Verdict: Choosing the Right Grader in 2025
Collector Profile | Recommended Grader |
High-End Investor | PSA |
TCG Collector | CGC |
Vintage Sports Enthusiast | SGC |
Budget Collector | CGC or GMA |
Tech-Oriented | TAG Grading |
Each grading company brings unique strengths depending on your card type, investment goals, and budget. As the trading card industry pushes toward $21 billion by 2034, picking the right grading partner is more important than ever.
FAQs
Answer: PSA for resale, CGC for affordability and speed.
Answer: 10 to 60+ days, depending on tier and membership.
Answer: Yes, if you’re targeting resale or want grading transparency (BGS, TAG).
Answer: PSA and TAG both offer industry-leading security features.
Answer: Usually not. Consider GMA or CGC bulk only if sentimental.
Answer: Yes, but do it carefully with slab crackers or professional help.
