Collecting sports cards is a popular hobby for many people. It can be a very enjoyable and fulfilling hobby. It can also be a relaxing pastime during your spare time. Collecting sports cards is a very good way to get in touch with memories from your youth, and it is also a great way to collect items that you think will potentially hold monetary value in the future.
In fact, the ongoing pandemic has ensured a resurrection in many households. With social distancing bringing a halt to many sporting events, fans are bored. They have now have turned to sports cards to catch some offline action. No wonder that they are digging up old sports cards and verifying their value on different sites. CNN corroborates this phenomenon with its Feb 2021 report
Why are sports cards so popular?
[1] Triggers nostalgia like nothing else
It has been said that there are three things that you can’t live without in the world: food, water and sports cards. In other words, fans can compare sports cards to food and shelter.
The fascination surrounding sports cards is attributed to their historical value since they are relics of the past. They are one-of-a-kind items that span decades of time and place. Sports cards are tangible items that can be held, touched and felt.
Because of this, they provide a sense of nostalgia and can trigger some wonderful memories for fans who once owned them.
Often, the quality of the cards is just as appealing as the players who are depicted on them. For example, sports cards made out of thick card stock provide a different feel than a card made out of thin paper.
[2] It offers the thrill of trading cards
It is not just about collecting sports cards for most collectors but also about trading them with other collectors.
Trading cards are a great way to get your hands on the cards that you have always wanted. The thrill of opening random packs of sports cards and finding “the one” is unequalled by any other hobby out there.
On the other hand, trading cards are also a great way to make new friends. Your collection can grow exponentially if the hobby is taken seriously.
The most coveted and sought-after cards in the world of sports collectables are those that have been graded and certified by reputable grading companies such as PSA and Beckett Grading Services.
These companies will grade just one or two copies of a card. Collectors will pay substantial amounts for these precious cards as they seek to complete their collections. This ensures that the action continues to thrive around the world of competitive sports cards.
[3] Sports cards have a universal appeal
Sports cards aren’t just made for kids; in fact, you will find that most collectors are in their mid-20s to mid-40s. Many people downplay the hobby as “childish,” but in reality, it appeals to people of all ages.
Another thing that makes sports cards such an appealing hobby for adults and kids is the fact that there are cards for every sport and for every player.
The players of all sports, be it basketball, baseball or soccer, feature prominently in varying amounts on different sports cards. The popularity of sports cards crosses all racial, gender and age boundaries.
You will find that collectors from all over the world have a common interest in sports cards. This is because they can all relate to the players depicted on these cards. This point leads to enthusiastic collectors who want to build their collections.
The hobby has become so popular that even celebrities collect sports cards. The movie “Space Jam” features Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny trading cards, one of which sold for $5,000 at an auction in 2017.
Even eBay states that it recorded 4 million more trading card transactions on its platform in 2020 compared to 2019. This stat translates to a staggering 142% growth rate! Different sports cards saw substantial growth in 2020, but the biggest gainers on eBay were soccer (1,586%) and basketball (373%).
These numbers further lend support to the statement that sports cards can appeal to people of all ages.
To sign off
Collecting cards is not just about making money; it is also about investing in past experiences and feelings. Memories of memorable matches and the players who made the matches memorable can be conjured up when sports cards are collected. Get your hands on rare cards for an amazing price only at Troll and Toad.