eBay Reveals Toys, Fandoms, and Sports That Defined Global Collector Culture

eBay’s 2025 Collected Report highlights the items and fandoms that shaped global collecting culture this year, with toy trends, sports memorabilia, and pop culture icons driving demand across the marketplace. Pokémon, LEGO Star Wars, Pokémon cards, Hot Wheels, and classic LEGO sets rank among the most sought-after collectibles globally, reflecting the enduring strength of legacy brands and nostalgic franchises.

Collectors embraced both tradition and new movements, with searches for Pokémon PSA 10 graded cards and LEGO sets rising in tandem with interest in character-driven trends. Pop Mart’s Labubu figures emerged as a standout hit, with Labubu searches increasing by more than 2,600% year-over-year, and notable sales, such as a high-value Labubu Mega figure, closing at thousands of dollars. Blind box collectibles also surged, with sales up more than 470% compared to 2024.

In the sports memorabilia category, athletes from multiple generations led search interest. Michael Jordan remained the top-searched athlete, alongside rising stars such as Victor Wembanyama and Caitlin Clark. Memorabilia related to baseball, basketball, football, and hockey showed strong collector interest, with trading cards and fan shop items fueling activity throughout the year.

Beyond toys and sports, eBay’s data points to broader cultural movements influencing collectors. Superhero franchises, such as Superman and the Fantastic Four, experienced a surge in popularity following cinematic releases and anniversaries, while anime and manga fandoms, like Solo Leveling and One Piece, saw significant growth in search. Trading card games, including Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions, continued to drive traffic across global markets.

eBay’s platform innovations in AI, personalized search, grading support, and livestream shopping also supported deeper engagement among collectors. These developments reinforced eBay’s role not only as a marketplace but as a cultural barometer that reflects what fans are watching, playing, and coveting in 2025.

eBay is extending the report with a real-time shopping event on eBay Live, where Storage Wars personality Rene Nezhoda showcases curated collectibles inspired by the findings. The livestream, scheduled for Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. PT, will feature notable items, including a Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card and a rare Labubu x Vans figure.