2025 was a record year for card grading with 26.8 million cards graded across major companies. PSA dominated with 72% market share, CGC grew 121%, and TCGs overtook sports cards in volume.
Key Takeaways
- 26.8 million cards graded in 2025 across PSA, CGC, SGC, Beckett, and TAG — a 32% increase from 2024.
- PSA dominated with 72% market share, grading 19.26 million cards and capturing 76% of sports cards and 69% of TCG.
- CGC grew 121% year-over-year, grading 4.92 million cards and establishing itself as PSA's primary challenger.
- TCG overtook sports cards — 16.8 million TCG/non-sports cards graded vs 10 million sports cards.
- Pokémon led all categories with 16.1 million cards graded, making it the single most popular category.
2025 Grading Volume: A New Record
According to year-end data from grading tracker GemRate, the major trading card authenticators graded 26.8 million cards in 2025 — the most recorded in a single year since GemRate's launch in 2022. This represents a 32% increase from 2024, when 20 million cards were graded.
The surge in grading volume reflects both the maturation of the hobby and the explosive growth of trading card games. December 2025 alone saw roughly 2.43 million cards graded across the five biggest companies (PSA, CGC, Beckett, SGC, and TAG).
Market Share by Grading Company
The grading landscape in 2025 was dominated by a few major players, with PSA maintaining its position as the industry leader:
| Company | Cards Graded | Market Share | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 19.26M | 72% | +26% |
| CGC | 4.92M | 18% | +121% |
| SGC | 1.42M | 5% | -24% |
| Beckett | 824K | 3% | +26% |
| TAG | 440K | 2% | +83% |
PSA: The Unchallenged Leader
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) continued its dominance in 2025, grading 19.26 million cards and capturing 72% of the overall market share. This includes 76% of sports cards and 69% of TCG submissions.
PSA's 2025 Performance
- January Quietest Month: PSA's quietest month in 2025 was January with ~1.3 million cards graded.
- October Peak: October peaked at just under 2.0 million cards graded, showing accelerating demand.
- Sports Flat, TCG Explosive: PSA's sports card grading was essentially flat (+2%), while TCG/non-sports exploded (+97%).
PSA's position as the default choice for most collectors remains firmly intact, particularly in sports cards where their red label commands the highest resale premiums.
CGC: The Explosive Growth Story
Certified Guaranty Company (CGC) was the percentage growth story of 2025, with grading volume increasing 121% year-over-year. CGC graded 4.92 million cards, establishing itself as PSA's primary challenger.
Why CGC Surged
- Pokémon Focus: CGC's growth was directly tied to the Pokémon tsunami, with services and pricing tailored for modern TCG collectors.
- 25% TCG Market Share: CGC captured 25% of the TCG market in 2025, second only to PSA.
- Competitive Pricing: CGC's bulk pricing starting at $15 per card attracted high-volume submitters.
By year's end, CGC had graded roughly twice the volume of Beckett, TAG, and SGC combined, marking a clear two-horse race for the foreseeable future.
SGC, Beckett, and TAG: The Rest of the Field
While PSA and CGC dominated, the remaining grading companies had mixed results in 2025:
SGC: Declining Volume
SGC graded 1.42 million cards in 2025, a 24% decrease from 2024. Acquired by Collectors in February 2024, SGC saw a sharp decline in monthly grading volume following the resignation of president Peter Steinberg in July. However, SGC increased its share of vintage card grading to over 20% of graded sports cards.
Beckett: Modest Growth
Beckett Grading Services graded more than 824,000 cards in 2025, the most during the GemRate era and a 26% increase year-over-year. The majority of Beckett's business came from TCG and non-sports collectors, with hobbyists coveting the elusive BGS 10 Black Label.
TAG: Strong Percentage Growth
TAG graded more than 440,000 cards in 2025, an 83% increase year-over-year. TAG touts its use of technology over manual grading, appealing to tech-forward collectors.
TCG vs Sports: The Volume Shift Explained
Perhaps the most significant trend of 2025 was that TCG and non-sports grading overtook sports card grading for the first time:
The Numbers
- TCG/Non-Sports: 16.8 million cards graded (95% increase from 2024)
- Sports Cards: 10 million cards graded (12% decrease from 2024)
- Pokémon: 16.1 million cards graded (most popular single category)
- Baseball: 3.6 million cards graded
- Football: 3.0 million cards graded
- Basketball: 2.1 million cards graded
This shift reflects changing demographics and the global appeal of TCGs. Pokémon alone drove more grading volume than baseball, football, and basketball combined.
Vintage Grading: A Shrinking Fraction
Vintage cards (pre-1980) represented a shrinking fraction of overall grading volume in 2025, as the financial engine of the grading industry shifted to modern releases:
Vintage Grading Percentages by Company
| Company | 2025 % Vintage | 2024 % Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | 7.2% | 9.7% |
| BGS | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| CGC | 6.4% | 10.1% |
| SGC | 27.7% | 20.0% |
SGC is the only company showing an increase in vintage grading percentage, reinforcing its brand identity as the vintage specialist. However, even SGC's overall sports card grading numbers dropped from 1.72 million in 2024 to 1.34 million in 2025.
What 2025 Trends Mean for 2026
The 2025 grading data reveals several trends that will shape 2026:
TCG Dominance Will Continue
With Pokémon driving 16.1 million graded cards alone, TCG will likely continue to outpace sports cards in grading volume. CGC is well-positioned to capture this growth.
PSA Will Remain King of Sports
Despite CGC's growth, PSA's 76% market share in sports cards makes it the default choice for collectors seeking maximum resale value.
Vintage Will Be a Niche
SGC will likely continue positioning itself as the vintage specialist, but vintage grading will remain a smaller fraction of overall volume compared to modern cards.
Market Consolidation
With Collectors having acquired both SGC and Beckett, the grading space is in a volatile period. However, the trading card market continues to show strength, and vintage cards remain attractive for long-term investors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards were graded in 2025?
Major authenticators graded 26.8 million cards in 2025, a 32% increase from 2024 when 20 million cards were graded. This represents an all-time record for single-year grading volume.
What is PSA's market share in 2025?
PSA captured 72% of the overall grading market share in 2025, grading 19.26 million cards. This includes 76% of sports cards and 69% of TCG submissions.
Why did CGC grow so much in 2025?
CGC grew 121% year-over-year in 2025, largely driven by its success with Pokémon collectors. CGC captured 25% of the TCG market with services and pricing tailored for modern TCG collectors.
Did sports card grading decrease in 2025?
Yes — sports card grading decreased 12% from 2024 to 2025, with 10 million sports cards graded compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, TCG/non-sports grading increased 95% to 16.8 million cards.
Which grading company is best for vintage cards?
SGC is positioned as the vintage specialist, with 27.7% of its 2025 grading volume being pre-1980 cards (up from 20% in 2024). SGC's "tuxedo" slab and consistent grading make it popular among vintage collectors.
Will grading volume continue growing in 2026?
Based on 2025 trends, grading volume will likely continue growing in 2026, driven primarily by TCG demand. However, sports card grading may face pressure from PSA's Value tier pause and higher pricing.
