In a development that will not surprise anyone who owns at least one Pikachu plush or can recite the Pokémon rap by heart, Pokémon trading cards have become the dominant force in the world of card grading. According to the latest data from GemRate, the trading card game (TCG) based on these beloved pocket monsters now rules the grading submission landscape in 2025, leaving sports cards in its pixilated dust.
The sheer magnitude of Pokémon’s presence is evident when you consider that a staggering 97 out of the top 100 most-graded cards at the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) belong to this franchise. And it’s not just limited to a few beloved Pokémon either. The rainbow of submissions covers an array of cards, creatures, and collections, making Pokémon the undisputed powerhouse in the realm of card grading.
Let’s not forget that this is a world where cherished pastimes blend with the painstaking analysis of mint condition verification. Pokémon cards, which once captured the imaginations of collectors in the ’90s, have surged once again to become not just a nostalgic delight but a robust investment opportunity, with a 70% year-over-year increase in graded submissions.
From January to June alone, non-sports and TCG cards—primarily Pokémon—accounted for a hefty 59% of all submissions at the four major authenticators. A record 7.2 million TCG and non-sports cards were graded during this period. In stark contrast, the number of sports card submissions dwindled to 5.1 million, showing a 9% drop. Clearly, Pokémon has tapped into its Fountain of Youth and isn’t planning on aging gracefully; it’s planning on dominating gloriously.
The crown jewel of this cardboard kingdom is none other than the Japanese Iono’s Wattrel Battle Partners Promo No. 232, which earned the title of the most-graded single card of the year with over 45,600 copies submitted. But let’s face it, when you think of Pokémon, you think of Pikachu. Our electrifying mascot has seen over 345,000 graded copies in 2025 alone. Leading the Pikachu parade is the fashionable “Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat” card from the high-profile Van Gogh Museum collaboration. This particular card has become PSA’s most-submitted Pokémon card ever, with nearly 84,000 graded copies, and high-grade examples shockingly fetch prices above $900.
The dominance of Pokémon stands in stark contrast to the performance of sports cards, which have only managed to carve out a modest niche. Just three sports cards broke into PSA’s top 100: two featuring rising star Jayden Daniels and one highlighting Caitlin Clark’s triumphant WNBA Rookie of the Year moment. While those submissions were noteworthy, they only gathered between 8,800 and 10,500 submissions, barely a blip compared to the Pokémon juggernaut.
June’s data further solidified Pokémon’s supremacy with TCG and non-sports cards making up 63% of submissions. PSA tipped the scales by grading 911,000 cards in this category, surpassing the 743,000 sports card total graded by all four major grading organizations combined.
Despite the crowded market, companies like CGC Cards have successfully navigated these choppy waters, largely due to the Pokémon wave. This year alone, CGC Cards has graded 2.18 million cards, nearly matching their entire output from 2024. A jaw-dropping 1.8 million of those were TCG or non-sports related.
In contrast, Beckett has witnessed a notable dip in its grading volume, ranking fourth among the major graders this year. Beckett has graded around 366,000 cards to date in 2025, 214,000 of which come from the Pokémon and TCG fandoms.
PSA’s meteoric rise is partly attributed to its strategic partnership with GameStop. Launched in October of last year, this alliance has resulted in over 1 million grading submissions, adding even more fuel to Pokémon’s blazing trail in the card grading landscape.
On the retail end of this phenomenon, Pokémon continues to mesmerize collectors and enthusiasts with new releases that barely touch store shelves before flying off into the clutches of eager fans. Long lines, limited-per-customer purchase restrictions, and rapid sellouts are testament to Pokémon’s enduring appeal and rock-solid marketing strategy.
As Pokémon continues to thunderbolt its way through the grading world with unparalleled zeal and enthusiasm, it’s clear that this TCG isn’t just riding a wave—it’s creating its own. With demand at its peak and no signs of dwindling interest, Pokémon’s hold on collectors, both old and new, remains as tight as Ash’s favorite hat. So, whether you’re a seasoned trainer or a newcomer to the card scene, rest assured that Pokémon is more than just a game; it’s a resurging cultural titan here to stay.
