Introduction
The sports card market is continuing its impressive run in 2026, with football, basketball, hockey, and baseball all producing some notable price movements. This week's list features several exciting names, including a Montreal Canadiens rookie goaltender making history, a WNBA star continuing to build her legacy, and three Chicago athletes whose performances are generating significant collector interest.
Chicago is dominating this week's rankings, with Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson, Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III, and quarterback Caleb Williams all making the list. Their impressive performances have helped drive increased demand for their college and professional cards.
This week's list features five players whose cards are making significant moves. Let's break down the Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up by Sports Card Investor based on the latest Market Movers data.
Sports Card Market Pulse
The overall sports card market remains strong heading toward the end of 2026, although the latest weekly numbers show a slight cooling period. The SCI 500 Index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards.
SCI 500 Index Performance:
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Down 1.5% over the last 7 days
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Up 1.4% over the last 30 days
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Up 56.5% since January 1st, 2026
The 56.5% year-to-date increase highlights just how strong the sports card market has been throughout 2026. Despite the recent weekly decline, collector demand remains active across multiple sports, with individual players continuing to experience substantial price increases.
Football is driving much of this week's activity, particularly in Chicago. Caleb Williams and Luther Burden III have both benefited from the Bears' strong start, while their growing connection on the field is helping generate interest in their rookie cards.
Basketball is also represented by Chicago Bulls rookie Caleb Wilson, whose impressive start to his NBA career has pushed his Bowman University Chrome cards higher. Meanwhile, Angel Reese continues to attract collector attention after an outstanding WNBA season with the Atlanta Dream.
Hockey rounds out the list with Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler, whose remarkable October earned him NHL Rookie of the Month honors and helped send his Young Guns cards soaring.
The combination of breakout performances, rookie development, individual achievements, and increased collector demand is creating significant movement across the latest sports card market.
The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up
5. Jacob Fowler
Jacob Fowler, the goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens, opens this week's list after an outstanding October that earned him NHL Rookie of the Month honors.
Fowler has quickly become one of hockey's most exciting young goaltenders and is making a serious case for Montreal's starting job. He finished October with a 7-1 record, a 1.84 goals-against average, and a .932 save percentage. He also recorded two shutouts.
His seven wins tied the NHL record for the most victories by a rookie goaltender in October, making his performance even more impressive. That historic start has helped drive increased demand for his 2025 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns rookie cards, particularly the Outburst Silver parallel.
Key Card Movements:
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2025 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns Base Rookie (Raw): Less than $30 → more than $90
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2025 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns Outburst Silver Rookie (Raw): $175 → nearly $500
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2025 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns Deluxe /250 (Raw): Up 7% over the last 30 days, $205 → $220
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2025 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns Holiday Rookie (Raw): $35 → $50
Fowler's record-tying October and strong start with Montreal have created substantial momentum across his hockey card market. His Young Guns base and Outburst Silver cards are seeing particularly impressive gains, making him one of the hottest young names in hockey right now.
4. Angel Reese
Angel Reese of the Atlanta Dream takes the fourth spot after another impressive WNBA season helped strengthen her position as one of the league's most recognizable young stars.
After previously playing for Chicago, Reese is now a forward for Atlanta, which reached Game 7 of the WNBA Finals before falling just short of the championship.
She averaged more than 16 points and 12 rebounds per game, along with nearly three assists and almost two steals per game. Reese also earned her third All-Star selection, her first All-WNBA Second Team honor, and the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Her impressive season has helped generate increased interest in her college and professional cards. Several of her 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA releases and her Rookie Royalty Downtown card have recorded notable price increases.
Key Card Movements:
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2023 Bowman Chrome University Base 1st (PSA 10): $33 → $38
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2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Rookie Variation WNBA Logo (PSA 10): $161 → $279
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2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Ice Rookie (PSA 10): $80 → $106
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2024 Panini Rookie Royalty Downtown SSP (Raw): $155 → $275
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2025 Panini Prizm WNBA Abstract SSP (Raw): Recently experienced a slight decline after previously trending upward
Reese's strong season has created plenty of momentum across her basketball cards, particularly her Logo Variation and Rookie Royalty Downtown releases. With the WNBA now entering the offseason, collectors will be watching closely to see how demand develops and whether her cards can maintain their upward movement.
3. Caleb Wilson
Caleb Wilson of the Chicago Bulls takes the number three position after an impressive start to his NBA career has made him an early Rookie of the Year contender.
Wilson played college basketball at North Carolina before being selected fourth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft. Just seven games into his professional career, he is already making a major impact in Chicago.
Through his first seven games, Wilson is averaging nearly 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game. He has recorded at least 20 points in five of those games, including an impressive 30-point, 14-rebound performance.
His early production has generated excitement among Bulls fans and collectors. Since his professional rookie cards have not yet been released, much of the attention is focused on his 2025 Bowman University Chrome cards.
Key Card Movements:
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs 1st (Raw): Around $200 → $268-$296
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Speckle Refractor /299 1st (Raw): $366 → $500
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2025 Bowman Sapphire Edition Chrome Prospects 1st (Raw): $58-$71 → $100-$130
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2025 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs Gold Refractor /50 1st (PSA 10): Recently sold for $3,150
Wilson's early NBA performances have made him one of the most exciting young names in the basketball card market. His Bowman University Chrome autographs are already attracting strong interest, while the $3,150 Gold Refractor Autograph sale highlights the demand for his high-end cards.
2. Luther Burden III
Luther Burden III, the wide receiver for the Chicago Bears, claims the number two position after becoming an increasingly important part of the team's offense.
The former Missouri standout is developing into one of Caleb Williams' favorite targets as Chicago continues its strong start to the season. The Bears are riding a three-game winning streak and currently sit at 6-2, with Burden playing a major role in their offensive success.
He has recorded 42 receptions for 547 yards and three touchdowns this season. His recent performances have been particularly impressive, with 19 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns over his last three games.
His growing connection with Williams has helped put his football cards in the spotlight. Several of his college and professional releases have recorded significant gains, especially his 2025 Topps Chrome rookie autograph cards.
Key Card Movements:
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2024 Bowman Chrome University Prospect Auto 1st (Raw): $28-$32 → $35
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2025 Panini Mosaic Stained Glass SSP Rookie (Raw): $87 → $120
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2025 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs (Raw): $26 → $58
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2025 Topps Chrome Rookie Patch Autographs (Raw): $65 → $90
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2025 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Green Refractor /99 (Raw): $108 → $163
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2025 Topps Cosmic Chrome Stars in the Night Rookie (Raw): $30 → $48
Burden's development into one of Williams' favorite offensive targets has helped create substantial momentum across his football cards. His Topps Chrome Rookie Autograph and especially the Green Refractor /99 have recorded impressive gains, making him one of the most interesting young players to follow in the hobby.
1. Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears takes the number one spot after another impressive stretch has helped establish him as one of the NFL's most exciting young quarterbacks.
Selected first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Williams is beginning to look like the franchise quarterback Chicago hoped he would become. He recently completed 24 of 34 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown in a dominant 34-7 victory over Seattle, helping the Bears improve to 6-2.
His development has also been reflected in his impressive ball security. Williams became the first quarterback in NFL history to attempt at least 20 passes without throwing multiple interceptions in 36 consecutive games, surpassing the previous mark held by Aaron Rodgers.
His continued progress has helped elevate the Bears' offense, including the production of teammate Luther Burden III. It has also created major movement across his football cards, with several of his most important rookie releases recording substantial gains.
Key Card Movements:
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2024 Panini Donruss Downtown SSP Rookie (PSA 10): $2,700 → $3,600
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2024 Panini Donruss Optic Holo Rookie (PSA 10): $560 → $775
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2024 Panini Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $1,550 → $2,000
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2024 Panini Prizm Base Rookie (PSA 10): $254 → $290
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2024 Topps Chrome Refractor (PSA 10): Up 48%, $225 → $333
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2025 Panini Absolute Kaboom! Horizontal SSP (PSA 10): $3,100 → $3,600
Williams' continued development and the Bears' strong start have created significant demand for his football cards. His 2024 Donruss Downtown rookie has gained $900 in just 30 days, while his Optic Holo and Prizm Silver cards have also recorded impressive increases.
With Williams continuing to establish himself as Chicago's franchise quarterback, his rookie cards remain among the most closely watched in the football card market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the sports card market performing in November 2026?
The SCI 500 Index is down 1.5% over the last seven days but remains up 1.4% over the last 30 days. Since January 1st, 2026, the index has increased by 56.5%, highlighting another strong year for the sports card market.
2. Which sports cards are heating up the most this week?
Caleb Williams, Luther Burden III, Caleb Wilson, Angel Reese, and Jacob Fowler headline this week's list. Their cards are benefiting from impressive performances, rookie development, and increased collector demand across football, basketball, and hockey.
3. Why are Caleb Williams football cards increasing in value?
Williams is continuing to develop into a franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears. His recent performance against Seattle, strong ball security, and the team's 6-2 record have helped drive interest in his rookie cards, including his 2024 Donruss Downtown and Optic Holo.
4. Why are Luther Burden III rookie cards gaining value?
Burden has become an important part of Chicago's offense, recording 42 receptions for 547 yards and three touchdowns. His strong recent performances and growing connection with Caleb Williams have helped increase demand for his 2025 Topps Chrome rookie cards.
5. Which Caleb Wilson card has recorded the biggest sale?
His 2025 Bowman University Chrome First Bowman Gold Refractor Autograph /50 in PSA 10 recently sold for $3,150. His other Bowman University Chrome autographs and parallels have also recorded significant gains.
6. Why are Angel Reese basketball cards attracting attention?
Reese had an impressive season with the Atlanta Dream, averaging more than 16 points and 12 rebounds per game. She also earned WNBA Defensive Player of the Year honors, her third All-Star selection, and her first All-WNBA Second Team recognition.
7. Why are Jacob Fowler hockey cards rising in value?
Fowler earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors after finishing October with a 7-1 record, a 1.84 goals-against average, and a .932 save percentage. His seven wins tied the NHL record for the most victories by a rookie goaltender in October, helping drive demand for his 2025-26 Upper Deck Extended Series Young Guns cards.
Conclusion
This week's sports card market highlights how breakout performances and continued player development can create significant movement across the hobby.
Jacob Fowler is making history with the Montreal Canadiens, while Angel Reese continues to build her reputation after an outstanding WNBA season. Caleb Wilson is quickly emerging as one of the NBA's most exciting rookies, and Luther Burden III is becoming a key part of the Chicago Bears' offense.
However, Caleb Williams takes the top spot after another impressive performance helped strengthen his position as Chicago's franchise quarterback. His rookie cards have recorded some of the biggest increases of the week, including a $900 gain for his 2024 Donruss Downtown in PSA 10.
The broader sports card market remains exceptionally strong, with the SCI 500 Index up 56.5% since the beginning of 2026. As the NFL season continues and young players across basketball and hockey establish themselves, there will be plenty of opportunities for new names to capture the hobby's attention.
For collectors, the latest price movements are a reminder to follow player performance, monitor recent card sales, and pay attention to emerging names before their markets gain even more momentum.
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