In a world where sports cards once reigned supreme, a colorful revolution is underway in 2025, driven by none other than the whimsical creatures of the Pokémon universe. These beloved pocket monsters have officially taken over the grading industry, leaving sports cards scrambling to catch up like an out-of-breath Snorlax chasing after an ice cream truck.
New data from GemRate reveals that Pokémon cards now comprise a breathtaking 97 out of the top 100 most-graded cards at PSA, with a striking 59% of all graded submissions in non-sports and trading card game (TCG) categories. For those looking for action in a world of bats, balls, and touchdowns, the stats paint a different picture of cardboard dominance. TCGs and non-sports have reached the stratosphere with 7.2 million cards graded between January and June—an astronomical 70% uptick from the previous year. Meanwhile, sports cards limped behind with a 9% decline, totaling 5.1 million.
Leading the charge is the enchanting Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232, having been submitted a staggering 45,600 times. But, as always, Pikachu stands front and center, adorably beaming as the unchallenged mascot of an era. Over 345,000 graded Pikachu cards in 2025 affirm its status, with the “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” from the Van Gogh Museum collaboration tipping the scale at nearly 84,000 graded instances—a PSA record-breaker that waltzes through collectors’ hearts and wallets, with mint PSA 10 examples commanding over $900.
The sports world managed to squeeze into the Pokémon parade thanks to three commendable efforts: the 2024 Panini Prizm Jayden Daniels rookie card, a 2024 Panini Instant featuring Caitlin Clark as WNBA Rookie of the Year, and another Jayden Daniels card from Donruss. Collectively, these cards squeezed between 8,800 and 10,500 submissions, a clear underdog story in a narrative dominated by bulging Pikachu cheeks.
The monthly breakdown for June showed TCG and non-sports cards taking up a healthy 63% of submissions. PSA, ever diligent in its grading prowess, reviewed 911,000 cards—a veritable Pokémon stampede across the all four major grading frontrunners—which graded 743,000 sports cards combined.
On the surfboard of this rising Pokémon tide is CGC Cards, skillfully riding the waves to astounding outputs. The company has already graded a whopping 2.18 million cards in 2025, nearly cloning its entire 2024 output. Within this figure, over 1.8 million were TCG or non-sports submissions, a testament to this cardboard phenomenon.
Beckett, however, has seen better days. Slipping to fourth place in the grading hierarchy, Beckett’s 366,000 card count for 2025 pales in comparison, with only about 214,000 falling into the Pokémon or TCG realm. It seems this year, Beckett has been more Magikarp than Gyarados.
PSA’s remarkable rise can be partially attributed to its fruitful collaboration with GameStop. Since October, this dynamic duo has roped in over 1 million grading submissions, adding gasoline to the blazing Pokémon inferno.
Collectively, retailers are witnessing unprecedented demand, as Pokémon products disappear from shelves faster than a Hyper Beam on Vitamin-C-infused caffeine. Enthusiasts face long lines, sellouts, and restrictions, reminiscent of concert tickets for a band thought to be lost in the mists of ’90s nostalgia but instead resurrected stronger and more vibrant than ever.
While sports cards gather dust and ponder their next play, Pokémon continues to charm, dazzle, and enchant its way into collectors’ hearts. This is a new chapter where Pikachu in a grey felt hat isn’t just a sensation—it’s a fashion icon. It’s a collectible piece thriving within a world where nostalgia meets ferocious buying trends.
This remarkable ascent reminds us that, sometimes, the smallest characters yield the most powerful results. 2025 is undeniably the year when Pokémon cards became kings, and it’s only up to us to catch ’em all—or at least, try to keep up.
