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The most expensive sports card ever sold.
Sports cards were among the earliest forms of collectibles, dating all the way back to the late 1890s. Since, millions have been traded, sold, and purchased at auction by sports fanatics across the world.
Collectors will have to open up their checkbooks to secure the top memorabilia in history. Some have gone for as high as eight figures. What is the most expensive sports card ever sold?
Here, we’ll break down the 20 priciest cards ever purchased, as well as an adjustment rate to reflect value today.
The 20 most expensive sports cards.
This list will include collectibles from most major US professional leagues. Baseball is represented well, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Basketball, however, is the sport to be featured most often in top sales.
Each of these cards listed sold for at least $2 million. Let’s start with No. 20 and work our way up to No. 1.
20. LeBron James (2020-21)
The Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Patch Autograph LeBron James card sold for $2.4 million in June of 2022. It features NBA logo patches from “game-worn/used” jerseys from each of his three career teams (Cavs, Heat, Lakers).
Goldin Auctions conducted the sale. It is said to have been one of the most promoted card sales of all time. Today, that purchase price would be more than $2.64 million.
19. Michael Jordan (1986-87)
The Jordan card from Fleer was the first card ever sold by Pharrell’s Joopiter auction house. The purchase was made in June of 2025 for $2.5 million.
It is the most expensive Michael Jordan rookie card on record, and the NBA superstar’s third priciest in history. That purchase price today is around $2.66 million.
18. Michael Jordan (2003)
The MJ Upper Deck 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection card sold in June of 2024 for $2.9 million at Goldin Auctions. It is Jordan’s second priciest card on the list.
Up until April of 2026, this was the most expensive Michael Jordan sports card ever sold. Today, the cost of the purchase would’ve been a little north of $3 million.
17. Tom Brady (2000)
Lelands auction house sold the 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Rookie Ticket Autograph in June of 2021. It went for $3.107 million.
It is the most expensive Tom Brady card ever purchased, and the second-highest price for an NFL card on this list. Today, the purchase price would be $3.69 million.
16. Kobe Bryant (1997)
The 1997 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green card was purchased in April of 2026 for $3.15 million. It bested a previous card price of the same edition that went for $2 million a few years earlier.
This is the most expensive solo Bryant card on record. Price would remain the same today given the recency of the purchase.
15. Mickey Mantle (1951)
The 1951 Mickey Mantle rookie card from Bowman went for $3.192 million in December of 2022. It was sold at Memory Lane auction house.
Mantle is one of the most popular players in trading card circles. This is his second-most expensive card on record. Today, that purchase price would’ve been more than $3.5 million.
14. Wayne Gretzky (1979)
A 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky card sold for $3.75 million in a private sale in May of 2021. It is the most expensive hockey card ever purchased.
A similar Gretzky card previously held the NHL record at $1.29 million. This sale more than doubled the old mark a few months later, and today that purchase price would be $4.455 million.
13. Mike Trout (2009)
A 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor 1/1 of Mike Trout, which was originally purchased in 2018 for $400k, sold for $3.9 million in August of 2020. It is the most expensive Trout card on record.
Today, that purchase price would be just under $4.9 million.
12. Babe Ruth (1933)
A Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card sold for $4.212 million in July of 2021 at Memory Lane auction house. It is the second-most expensive Ruth card ever purchased.
Ruth appeared on four different cards (53, 144, 149 and 181) as part of this set. Graded at PSA Mint 9, there are no copies of this specific card with a higher grade. Today, that purchase price would be just north of $5 million.
11. Michael Jordan (1997)
The 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autograph Michael Jordan Signed Patch Card sold for $4.25 million in a private sale brokered by Goldin Auctions. The contract was signed in October of 2025.
This is the most expensive solo MJ card on record. Today, it would’ve cost just a tick more given inflation.
10. Patrick Mahomes (2017)
A Panini National Treasures Platinum Shield Rookie Patch Autographs card featuring Patrick Mahomes sold for $4.3 million in July of 2021, making it the highest-priced NFL card on record. It was sold privately in a deal brokered by PWCC Marketplace.
Today, that purchase price would be just under $5.11 million.
9. Luka Doncic (2018)
A Panini National Treasures Logoman Autograph Luka Doncic card sold for $4.6 million in February of 2021. It features an on-card autograph and a player-worn NBA shield logo.
At the time, it was the most expensive basketball card ever. That purchase price would’ve been near $5.47 million today. It was resold at public auction for $3.12 million in 2022.
8. Luka Doncic (2018)
A Flawless Luka Doncic Rookie Logoman sold for $4.7 million. It is the most expensive in his series, just besting his previously mentioned mark.
Purchased in 2025, the price would be about the same today though maybe a touch closer to $5 million.
7. Aaron Judge (2013)
A Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Superfractor Autograph of Aaron Judge sold for $5.2 million, making it one of the highest-priced MLB cards on record. The deal was done in a private sale in 2026 via Fanatics Collect.
Today, the purchase price would be the same given the recency of the transaction.
6. LeBron James (2003)
This LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs card sold for $5.2 million in April of 2021. It was the highest ever purchase at the time and remains the second-most expensive solo NBA sports card on record.
If purchased today, that price would’ve been closer to $6.47 million.
5. Steph Curry (2009)
Stephen Curry’s 1-of-1 Panini National Treasures Logoman Autograph card from 2009 sold for $5.9 million in July 2021. At the time, it was the most expensive sports card ever purchased.
It is the highest-priced solo NBA card on record.
4. Babe Ruth (1914)
In December of 2023, this 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth sold for $7.2 million. Today, that number would be $7.6 million. It is the slugger’s first true sports card, featuring the Great Bambino as a pitcher for the minor-league Baltimore Orioles.
It lost $3 million at its next sale in 2025, but that initial purchase remains the highest for a Ruth card and the fourth highest for any card ever sold.
3. Honus Wagner (1909)
There have been a few different high-priced sales of the rare T-206 card featuring Honus Wagner. We’ve chosen to highlight the most expensive of the set.
In August of 2022, Goldin Auctions brokered a private deal in which the card was purchased for $7.25 million. Today, that purchase price would be $8.6 million.
2. Mickey Mantle (1952)
This 1952 Topps card featuring Mickey Mantle was the first sports card to sell for eight figures. It remains the most expensive baseball card ever purchased and the priciest item involving a single player.
The price was $12.6 million in August of 2022, a number that would be adjusted to $13.8 million today.
1. Kobe Bryant/Michael Jordan (2007-08)
In August of 2025, an Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan sold for $12.93 million. It is the most expensive sports card on record and the second-most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.
The Jordan/Bryant card was sold with Heritage Auctions. Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, collector Matt Allen, and entrepreneur Paul Warshaw joined forces to make the purchase.