The world of sports collectibles has never been more electric than it is right now. As 2025 drew to a close, fans and investors alike found themselves at the center of a whirlwind year—one marked by record-breaking sales, game-changing product releases, and a mix of triumph and controversy that’s got everyone talking. With the December 29 launch of the 2025 Topps Five Star Baseball set, collectors were given plenty of reasons to be excited, while the broader hobby continued its meteoric rise, fueled by passionate enthusiasts and heavyweight investors.
Let’s start with the buzz around the 2025 Topps Five Star Baseball release. Dropping just before the new year, this high-end product has collectors scrambling for a chance at some of the most coveted cards in recent memory. Each hobby box promises six cards—one base card numbered to 50 or below, and five on-card autographs, each numbered to 199 or less. For those keeping track, that’s a guaranteed handful of hits in every box. And with a full 100-card base set (the first time since 2013 Five Star has done this), there’s plenty for set builders and star-chasers alike.
Parallels? They’re here in spades: Orange parallels are numbered to 25, Emerald to 15, Black to 10, Red to 5, and the ultra-rare Foilfractor 1-of-1s. Cases, which contain three boxes each, up the ante even further. Every case guarantees an autographed relic, an acetate autograph, and a color-ink autograph—stacking the odds in favor of landing something truly special.
But what’s really got the hobby talking are the chase cards. The dual autograph card featuring Aaron Judge and Roger Maris is a jaw-dropper, pairing a cut signature from Maris with Judge’s on-card ink—a tribute to two of the Yankees’ greatest home run sluggers. Then there’s the “Welcome to the Club” subset, celebrating Clayton Kershaw’s entry into the 3,000 strikeout club in 2025. These dual autos pair Kershaw with both living legends (like Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan, and Max Scherzer) and deceased icons (Bob Gibson, Walter Johnson, and more), combining on-card and cut signatures for a truly one-of-a-kind collectible. Every card in this subset? A 1-of-1.
Collectors can also chase Five Star Cut Signatures of MLB greats and even Celebrity Cut Signatures, all limited to a single copy each year. The autograph relic game is strong, too, with Quintuple Relic Autos (five different pieces of game-used gear on one card, numbered to 10) and Five Star Autograph Jumbo Prime cards (oversized uniform swatches, numbered to 50 or below).
Brand-new for 2025, the Award Winner Autograph Relics set highlights the 2024 AL and NL MVPs, Cy Young winners, and Rookies of the Year. Each card includes a piece of memorabilia from the player’s award-winning season and is numbered to 10. Image variations, each a 1-of-1, make these some of the most sought-after chases in the product. According to Dave & Adam’s Card World, "each card includes a piece of game-used memorabilia from their award-winning season and is numbered to 10." For the serious collector, these are cards you’ll want to keep for a lifetime.
All this comes as the sports collectibles market itself is experiencing one of its most dynamic eras ever. The National Sports Collectors Convention in 2025 shattered records, drawing over 100,000 attendees across five days—a testament to the hobby’s surging popularity. Veteran collector Mike Moynihan summed up the moment: "I think the hobby is in great shape, and I’m going to say that with a caveat of all the stuff that has happened this year." Despite scandals and shakeups, the core of the hobby remains strong: passionate people collecting cards and sharing their love of the game.
Of course, 2025 wasn’t without its dark moments. The memorabilia market was rocked in July when dealer Brett Lemieux admitted to forging more than four million athlete autographs and holograms over two decades, with sales exceeding $350 million. Lemieux’s subsequent suicide as authorities closed in has left the memorabilia world reeling, with some collectors and dealers expressing deep concern about the future of that segment. Dealer Rick Giddings didn’t mince words: "The memorabilia market is dying a little bit... People are scared." Yet, the card market itself remains robust, with vintage and modern cards both seeing strong demand.
Record sales have been the norm rather than the exception. At the end of August, a 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant sold for an eye-popping $12.932 million, shattering previous records. In December, a Shohei Ohtani 1-of-1 card fetched $3 million, nearly tripling the previous high for an Ohtani card. According to Upper Deck President Jason Masherah, "I think the market’s actually hotter than it was in COVID... I would say the market is currently stronger."
So what’s driving this frenzy? It’s a mix of passionate collectors, new investors, and the ever-present allure of the next big hit. Big names like Kevin O’Leary have entered the space, seeing sports cards as a viable alternative asset. Chris Ivy of Heritage Auctions sees this as a net positive: "It’s a double-edged sword, right? It increases the prices of these things... it’s finally getting its due." While some worry that regular collectors are being priced out, others argue that the market remains accessible for those willing to look beyond the headlines.
The debate between vintage and modern cards is as lively as ever. Vintage continues to climb steadily, while modern cards ride the waves of athletes’ careers and pop culture moments. Fanatics’ takeover of the exclusive basketball license from Panini in October 2025, and the upcoming football license in April 2026, has injected fresh energy into the market. Collectors are clamoring for the return of Topps Chrome Basketball, and demand for new releases is outpacing supply.
Looking ahead, most insiders are bullish about the future. Kevin Savage, a veteran dealer, put it plainly: "Things seem to be pretty good and I don’t see any signs that they’re going to die off." The only caveat? The market is still linked to the broader economy—if people’s wallets tighten, so could the hobby. But for now, the fire is burning bright.
For collectors, investors, and fans, the 2025 Topps Five Star Baseball release is the perfect encapsulation of where the hobby stands: high-quality, low-print-run cards that blend history and modern stars, all set against a backdrop of unprecedented enthusiasm. Whether you’re chasing a Kershaw 3,000 strikeout club dual auto or just hoping to pull a piece of baseball history, there’s never been a better—or more thrilling—time to be a part of the sports collectibles world.
