Introduction
The sports card market may be showing early signs of slowing down, but 2026 continues to be an extraordinary year for the hobby. Football cards are dominating this week's list, with four quarterbacks making the Top 5, while hockey adds another young player generating increased collector attention.
Player performance, unexpected opportunities, and major changes at the quarterback position are creating significant movement across the sports card market. Strong performances on the field are translating into increased demand for rookie cards, while new starting opportunities are giving several young quarterbacks renewed hobby attention.
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 appears to be showing signs of flattening after an exceptional run throughout 2026. The SCI 500 Index, which tracks 500 of the most prominent sports cards, is down about 1% over the last seven days.
Despite the short-term decline, the broader market remains positive over longer periods and is still dramatically higher than where it started the year.
SCI 500 Index Performance:
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Down about 1% over the last 7 days
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Up about 1% over the last 30 days
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Up 56% since January 1st, 2026
The 56% year-to-date increase highlights just how strong the sports card market has been throughout 2026. While the latest weekly decline could indicate some short-term softening, individual players are still generating substantial price increases.
Football is driving much of the current market activity, with quarterback performances and new opportunities creating major movements across modern rookie cards. Hockey is also represented as collectors look for potential breakout players with long-term upside.
The combination of strong performances, unexpected starting opportunities, player development, and increased collector demand is creating significant movement across the latest sports card market.
The Top 5 Sports Cards Heating Up
5. Dylan Raiola
Dylan Raiola, the quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, opens this week's list after receiving a major opportunity following an injury to Oregon starter Dante Moore. Raiola stepped into the lineup against USC and immediately looked comfortable running the Ducks' offense. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns while leading Oregon to a 41-27 victory over No. 12 USC.
The impressive performance has placed Raiola back in the spotlight after previously being one of the biggest quarterback names coming out of high school. His opportunity at Oregon has also started translating into increased demand for his football cards.
Key Card Movements:
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2024 Prizm Draft Picks Red Ice (PSA 10): $30 → $45
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2025 Mosaic Future Scripts (Raw): $12 → $25-$32
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2025 Prizm Draft Picks Black Color Blast SSP (Raw): $70-$80 → $129.36
Raiola's strong performance against USC and his increased role at Oregon have created noticeable momentum around his football cards.
4. Matvei Michkov
Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers takes the fourth spot after generating renewed interest heading into an important season for the young right wing. Michkov recorded 63 points and 26 goals during his rookie season before his production declined somewhat last year to 51 points and 20 goals. At just 21 years old, however, he still has plenty of room to develop and potentially return to the level of production he showed as a rookie.
The early signs have been encouraging. Michkov scored in Philadelphia's preseason debut against Boston, while his improved conditioning and quickness have added to the optimism surrounding his upcoming season. That renewed attention is already showing up in his hockey card prices.
Major Card Trends:
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base Rookie (Raw): $16 → $32
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Base Rookie (PSA 10): $159 → $188
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2024 Upper Deck Young Guns Outburst Silver (Raw): around $100 → $115-$150
Michkov's age, offensive potential, and early preseason performance have helped push his rookie cards higher as collectors anticipate another step forward.
3. J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy takes the number three position after receiving a fresh opportunity with the New York Giants. The former No. 10 overall pick was traded by the Minnesota Vikings to New York for a 2027 fifth-round pick following Jackson Dart's season-ending knee injury. McCarthy's NFL career has been inconsistent so far, but his move to New York has created renewed speculation around his future.
The Giants have indicated that Jameis Winston remains the team's QB1 for now. However, McCarthy is only 23 years old and could eventually have an opportunity to become the starter. Collectors and speculators have already responded, with several of his cards posting substantial gains.
Notable Price Trends:
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2024 Absolute Kaboom Horizontal Rookie (Raw): $300 → $383
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2024 Donruss Downtown SSP Rookie (PSA 10): $320 → $600
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2024 Optic Purple Shock (PSA 10): $17.80 → $40-$50
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2024 Panini Prizm Silver (PSA 10): below $120 → $200
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2025 Topps Chrome Ultra Violet SSP (Raw): around $120 → $160
McCarthy's move to New York has given his football card market a major boost as collectors speculate about his potential path to becoming an NFL starter.
2. Michael Penix Jr.
Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons claims the number two position after returning to action following the torn ACL that ended his previous season. Atlanta struggled during the opening portion of the season, but Penix's return immediately changed the conversation. Against Green Bay, Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown while leading Atlanta to a 35-4 victory.
His return and strong performance have brought his football card market back to life. Several of his rookie cards have experienced substantial increases over the past month.
Key Card Movements:
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2024 Donruss Downtown SSP Rookie (PSA 10): $400 → $900
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2024 Prizm Disco Rookie (PSA 10): $29 → $56
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2024 Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $152 → $274
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2024 Prizm Lazer Rookie (PSA 10): $41 → $56
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2024 Prizm Red White & Blue Rookie (PSA 10): $31 → $71
Penix's return from injury and impressive performance against Green Bay have created substantial momentum across his football card market.
1. Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers takes the number one spot after an outstanding start to the season has pushed his cards sharply higher. Purdy has helped San Francisco open the season with a 3-0 record while putting himself into the early MVP conversation. Through three games, he has thrown for 789 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception.
Purdy currently has the best passer rating in the NFL at 133.1 and has also contributed 93 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. The strong start has helped turn his rookie cards into some of the hottest cards in the sports card market.
Major Card Trends:
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2022 Optic Downtown SSP Rookie (PSA 10): $3,300 → $3,887
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2022 Prizm Base Rookie (PSA 10): $70 → $121
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2022 Prizm Silver Rookie (PSA 10): $541 → $800-$900
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2022 Prizm Green Rookie (PSA 10): $144 → $212
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2022 Prizm Orange Ice Rookie (PSA 10): $230 → $375
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2025 Absolute Kaboom Horizontal SSP (PSA 10): $1,090 → $1,488
Purdy's 3-0 start, nine touchdowns, one interception, and league-leading passer rating have made him the biggest card-market mover of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is the sports card market performing in September 2026?
The SCI 500 Index is down about 1% over the last seven days, up about 1% over the last 30 days, and up 56% since January 1st, 2026.
2. Why are football cards dominating this week's list?
The NFL and college football seasons are generating significant collector interest, particularly around quarterbacks. Strong performances and new starting opportunities are creating rapid movement across modern football rookie cards.
3. Why are Dylan Raiola cards heating up?
Raiola stepped into Oregon's lineup after Dante Moore suffered an injury and delivered 289 passing yards and two touchdowns against USC. His increased opportunity has renewed attention around his football cards.
4. Why are J.J. McCarthy football cards increasing in value?
McCarthy was traded from Minnesota to the New York Giants following Jackson Dart's season-ending injury. Although Jameis Winston remains the Giants' starting quarterback for now, McCarthy's potential future opportunity has generated renewed collector interest.
5. What is driving Matvei Michkov card prices?
Michkov is entering an important season after recording 63 points and 26 goals as a rookie before producing 51 points and 20 goals last season. His preseason goal against Boston and continued development have helped increase interest in his rookie cards.
6. Why are Michael Penix Jr. cards moving higher?
Penix returned from a torn ACL and delivered a strong performance against Green Bay, completing 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. His return has coincided with substantial increases across several of his rookie cards.
7. Why are Brock Purdy cards heating up?
Purdy has led San Francisco to a 3-0 start while throwing for 789 yards, nine touchdowns, and only one interception. His 133.1 passer rating and strong all-around production have helped drive major increases across his rookie cards.
Conclusion
This week's sports card market demonstrates how quickly player performance and opportunity can affect collector demand.
Dylan Raiola is benefiting from an increased role at Oregon, while Matvei Michkov is generating renewed attention ahead of another important NHL season. J.J. McCarthy has also seen his cards rise following his move to the New York Giants and the possibility of eventually earning a starting opportunity.
Michael Penix Jr. has made an immediate impact following his return from injury, leading to major increases across several of his rookie cards. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy has emerged as the biggest mover of the week after helping the 49ers start the season 3-0 while producing MVP-level statistics.
The broader sports card market remains exceptionally strong despite the latest weekly decline. The SCI 500 Index is still up 56% since the beginning of 2026, demonstrating how significant the overall gains have been throughout the year.
With the NFL and college football seasons continuing and the NHL season approaching, collectors will be watching closely for the next breakout performance, unexpected opportunity, or young star capable of creating major movement in the sports card market.
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