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The Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia

Will Brown by Will Brown, June 27, 2025

With the sports memorabilia and collectibles market expected to hit $271 billion by 2034, the demand for iconic sporting items is only soaring. The global rise in sports’ popularity has fuelled much of this growth, and sales of merchandise have now become a major income stream for international teams and leagues. But what are the most expensive sports memorabilia of all time? Here, we’ve looked at the 10 most valuable items sold at auction, with everything from player jerseys to baseball cards making the list.

What are the Most Valuable Sports Memorabilia?

Before we explore what the most valuable sports memorabilia are, we’ll describe the current memorabilia market and its rapid growth. We’ve also looked at some of the items most coveted by collectors and explained what influences the value of each item come auction time.

From there, we’ve listed the 10 record-breaking items in order of the least to most valuable. From Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” belt to Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey, each has a strong connection to some of the most memorable sporting moments in history.

The Value of the Memorabilia Market

The global sports memorabilia and trading card market was estimated to be valued at over $33 billion in 2024, with a compounding annual growth rate of around 22% indicating mammoth gains in interest. This market is varied and includes everything from jerseys and sneakers, flags, balls, posters, collectible cards, and figurines.

There are several reasons why the growth of the market has accelerated in recent years, with nostalgia, athlete legacy, rarity, and increased fan engagement central factors. While consumer-level items are sold at official retailers, highly valuable sales at auction houses such as Sotheby’s have seen records consistently shattered.

Some of the best online sportsbooks have even got involved in the memorabilia market. Fanatics and DraftKings in particular offer collectibles through their platforms, with Fanatics initially starting as a memorabilia retailer. Often, players can purchase these products through loyalty scheme rewards or win them through on-site competitions.

Below, we’ve listed the most expensive sports memorabilia according to the most recent records. As you’ll find, many relate to some of the most iconic games or sporting events in history. Others are priced according to their rarity and sentimental value.

10. Michael Jordan’s 1991 NBA Finals Game 5 Jersey – $4.2 Million

In March 2025, Michael Jordan’s jersey worn during Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals was sold for a cool $4.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction. The game is notable for being the one that saw Jordan win his first NBA Championship, propelling him to become one of the sport’s most famous icons.

Interestingly, this isn’t the most expensive jersey owned by Michael Jordan on this list. However, the item is significant as it marks a pivotal moment in Jordan’s rise as a star. The game also marked the beginning of the Chicago Bulls’ dynasty, making the jersey resonate with the team’s longtime fans.

9. Babe Ruth’s 1928–1930 Yankees Jersey – $5.64 Million

Among the oldest surviving uniforms owned by New York Yankees baseball icon Babe Ruth, the 1928-1930 jersey was sold in 2019 for $5.64 million. The jersey marks the height of Ruth’s influence and fame. The jersey was fittingly sold at Yankee Stadium, with proceeds going to charity.

At the time, the sale broke the record set by a 1920s Ruth jersey valued at $4.4 million. Despite its age, the draw of this jersey was its good condition and proximity to the Yankees’ legendary 1927 season. In 2025, a sale of another Ruth jersey would make it the most expensive sports memorabilia of all time.

8. Kobe Bryant’s MVP 2007-2008 Jersey – $5.85 Million

The price of Kobe Bryant’s MVP jersey is staggering considering its recent age. The signed No. 24 jersey was worn by the Lakers’ Bryant when he was awarded his only MVP trophy in 2008. It was sold by Sotheby’s in 2023, and its $5.85 million price tag was at the time the second-highest price paid for a game-worn jersey.

The jersey is notable for evoking the peak period of Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality.” After a couple of wobbly seasons, the 2007-2008 season marked a new era for the team. The year saw Bryant launch a masterful campaign that guided the team to the best record in the West and an NBA Finals.

7. Muhammad Ali’s 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” Belt – $6.18 Million

Muhammad Ali’s WBC championship belt from the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” fight against George Foreman has earned its place on this list of the most valuable sports memorabilia. Few other sporting matches continue to capture the public’s imagination, with Heritage Auctions selling the belt to Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for $6.18 million.

The legendary bout, held in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, saw Ali regain the heavyweight title using his famous rope-a-dope strategy. The moment was marked by Ali’s charismatic and courageous approach to the fight, winning by a knockout in the eighth round.

6. T206 Honus Wagner Baseball Card – $7.25 Million

Considered to be among the rarest baseball cards, the T206 Honus Wagner card was printed between 1909 and 1911 by the American Tobacco Company. The card is famous for being pulled early from sale due to Wagner’s alleged objection to promoting tobacco. It’s believed only 50 remain today.

This card sold for $7.25 million in a private sale in 2022, so little is known about its owner or the details surrounding its transfer. Graded 2 out of 10 by the Sportscard Guaranty Corporation, the T206 Wagner holds the honor of being one of the most valuable sports memorabilia in the card category.

5. Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup Jerseys – $7.8 Million

This set of the most expensive jerseys in recent memory included six game-worn kits from Lionel Messi’s 2022 World Cup run with Argentina. The interesting thing about the set is that it represents the stars’ entire run through the tournament, from the early Group stages to Argentina’s final win in Qatar.

Messi’s World Cup performance represents an emotional high point in the icon’s career, as he led the team against France to lift the trophy after an illustrious career. The jerseys were sold by tech startup AC Momento in 2023 to an anonymous bidder.

4.Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” 1986 World Cup Jersey – $9.28 Million

Worn during one of the most iconic and controversial moments in soccer World Cup history, Diego Maradona’s jersey was worn in Argentina’s 1986 quarterfinal against England. Not only did the game see the famous “Hand of God” goal, but it was worn during his “Goal of the Century” minutes later.

The jersey was sold by Sotheby’s for $9.28 million in 2022, making it briefly the most expensive sports jersey sold of all time. There was much controversy around its validity at the time of its sale, with Sotheby’s undertaking Revolution Photomatching to verify its authenticity.

3. Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals “Last Dance” Jersey – $10.1 Million

In September 2022, Michael Jordan’s “Last Dance” jersey became the most expensive jersey ever sold, fetching a huge $10.1 million at a Sotheby’s auction. The jersey was worn during Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals. This was notable for being a part of Jordan’s final season, or “Last Dance”, with the Bulls, who ultimately won against the Utah Jazz.

Its price was likely inflated due to the recent airing of Netflix’s “Last Dance” TV series, which was developed with Jordan to track his rise to fame and glory. It wouldn’t be until 2025 that the record was smashed by another iconic piece of memorabilia.

2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card – $12.6 Million

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card may be the most iconic baseball card ever printed. In 2022, a nearly flawless version fetched $12.6 million, and while it was not technically Mantle’s rookie card, it was valuable due to its rarity and cultural significance. Topps’ 1952 set was a landmark in design and presentation, with Mantle’s card being its crown jewel. The card is symbolic of the Yankees’ stars’ impact on the sport.

1. Babe Ruth’s 1932 “Called Shot” Yankees Jersey – $24.12 Million

Not only is Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey the most expensive jersey ever sold. It is the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia, fetching a staggering $24.12 million in a March 2025 auction. The 1932 Yankees jersey was worn during Game 3 of the World Series, which was famous for the “Called Shot” moment. As legend goes, Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers before launching a home run to that exact spot.

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