eBay adds spice to National Sports Collectors Convention with ‘The Hunt’ for high-end sports cards

eBay has expanded its footprint at the National Sports Collectors Convention in recent years, but it will have an even larger presence in 2025 with “The Hunt” for high-end sports cards.

“The Hunt” will feature a search for 50 “grail cards” ($100-$5,000 in value) hidden across the massive show floor at The National July 30-Aug. 3 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont Ill, just outside Chicago.

Each day eBay will reveal 10 new cards up for grabs. Collectors can visit The Search Bar at the eBay booth to learn the rules of “The Hunt,” check out each grail card, and get clues regarding their whereabouts.

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“The Hunt” will headline a full slate of activities and live programming at the eBay booth, including athlete and celebrity appearances and live breaks on the eBay Live stage, as well as trade nights, games, giveaways, and more. Celebrity appearances will include Dwight Howard, Rob Gronkowski, Spike Lee, and more.

Meanwhile, Goldin, the eBay-owned auction house, will showcase some of its most iconic trading cards and memorabilia, including highlights from its July Elite and Goldin 100 auction:  

Highlights include:

• Caitlin Clark Immaculate Logowoman 1/1 signed snscribed “ROY 24” Rookie Patch Card.

• 2023-24 Flawless Victor Wembanyama/Lebron James Dual Logoman #1/1.

• 1999 Skybox E-X2001 Credentials Future Derek Jeter #03/09 card.  

 • 2001 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Ichiro Auto card.

With The National fast approaching, collectors will be following the latest trends to help target the hottest cards. The top five most searched athletes in eBay’s collectibles category in June were: Michael Jordan, Jayden Daniels, Caitlin Clark, JJ McCarthy, and Shohei Ohtani.

Clark has been featured among the top five most searched athletes in eBay global collectibles category during each of the last 12 months, dating back to her first All-Star Game in July 2024.

• During the first half of 2025 (Jan. 1-June 30), several prominent sports cards categories saw significant search growth on eBay compared to last year. The fastest growing categories were:

• WNBA Cards—170%

• WWE Cards—50%

• F1 Cards—50%