In recent years, sports memorabilia has exploded in popularity and price. Once considered the domain of nostalgic fans and die-hard collectors, sports memorabilia is now catching the attention of serious investors, too.
Driven by emotion, history, and a little bit of celebrity magic, rare sports collectibles are being sold for millions at high-profile auctions. From game-worn jerseys to championship belts and one-of-a-kind collectibles, these items represent some of the most iconic athletes and unforgettable moments in sporting history.
So, just how much are people willing to pay for a piece of greatness? Join the Ask Genie blog as we take a look at the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold and explore what makes each piece so valuable.
The Top 10 Most Expensive Pieces of Sports Memorabilia Ever Sold
Our list of sports memorabilia doesn't include trading cards. Instead, these are collectibles, like match-worn jerseys and other significant sports artifacts.
So, if you're wondering why that 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle sports card that sold for over $12 million isn't in our list, now you know.
You can, however, read more about that and other expensive cards in our list of the 15 most valuable trading cards ever sold.
1. Babe Ruth "Called Shot" Jersey – $24.12 Million ($33.65 Million CAD)
The most expensive piece of sports memorabilia ever sold is the jersey Babe Ruth wore during his legendary "Called Shot" in the 1932 World Series. It fetched a jaw-dropping $24.12 million at auction in 2023.
This isn't just any jersey; it's a piece of American mythology and baseball history. The story and name of the jersey come from Ruth allegedly pointing to center field before blasting a home run to that exact spot.
Whether the called shot actually happened is still debated, but the jersey's connection to one of baseball's most talked-about moments secured its value. Combine that with Ruth's timeless legacy, and you've got the holy grail of baseball memorabilia.
2. Michael Jordan "Last Dance" Jersey from Game 1 of 1998 NBA Finals – $10.1 Million ($14.09 Million CAD)
Basketball legend Michael Jordan's jersey from Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, famously dubbed "The Last Dance" season, was sold for $10.1 million in 2022.
The 1997-98 season was Jordan's final year with the Chicago Bulls and culminated in his sixth NBA championship. Documented in the hit Netflix series The Last Dance, the jersey became symbolic of Jordan's dominance and cultural impact.
As the highest-selling piece of basketball memorabilia to date, it shows just how much fans are willing to pay for a piece of basketball history.
3. Diego Maradona's Jersey from 'The Hand of God' Match – $9.28 Million ($12.94 Million CAD)
The jersey worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina's 1986 World Cup quarterfinal against England – the match that produced both the "Hand of God" goal and the "Goal of the Century" – sold for $9.28 million in 2022.
Maradona scored two of the most famous goals in football history during that game, and his jersey is as steeped in controversy as it is in brilliance.
After decades in the care of England midfielder Steve Hodge, who swapped shirts with Maradona post-match, it finally hit the auction block – and made headlines all over the world.
4. Original Olympic Manifesto – $8.8 Million ($12.27 Million CAD)
Sometimes, sports memorabilia isn't wearable, it's readable. The Original Olympic Manifesto, penned by Pierre de Coubertin (founder of the International Olympic Committee) in 1892, was sold for $8.8 million in 2019.
This 14-page manuscript outlined the vision that would eventually become the modern Olympic Games. It's not only one of the rarest documents in sports history but also one of the most important – marking the beginning of a global tradition that unites nations every four years.
5. The Dynasty Collection – $8.032 Million ($11.2 Million CAD)
Dubbed The Dynasty Collection, this collection of six iconic NBA jerseys worn by Michael Jordan during his six championship-winning seasons with the Bulls sold for $8.032 million in 2023.
Each jersey represents a defining moment in Jordan's career, and together they tell the whole story of his dominance throughout the 1990s. Presented as a single lot, this collection offered an unprecedented chance to own a complete set of finals-worn Jordan jerseys – and, unsurprisingly, the collection sparked fierce bidding.
6. Six Lionel Messi Jerseys from the 2022 FIFA World Cup – $7.8 Million ($10.88 Million CAD)
When Lionel Messi finally lifted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, it sealed his status as one of the greatest players of all time. The set of six jerseys he wore throughout the tournament, including the final, sold for $7.8 million in 2023.
These aren’t just jerseys – they symbolize Messi’s triumphant journey to the one trophy that had eluded him for most of his career. The sale was also a historic moment in the sports memorabilia market, marking the highest price ever paid for football apparel.
7. Kobe Bryant's First NBA Jersey – $7 Million ($9.77 Million CAD)
Kobe Bryant's first-ever Los Angeles Lakers jersey from his rookie season (1996-97) went for over $7 million in 2023.
The jersey, complete with photo-match verification, marked the beginning of a career that helped redefine the NBA. With fans still mourning his tragic passing in 2020, this early piece of Kobe's legacy resonated deeply with collectors, breaking records in the process.
8. Muhammad Ali's 'Rumble in the Jungle' Heavyweight Championship Belt – $6.18 Million ($8.62 Million CAD)
Few sporting events are as iconic as the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle bout between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. The belt Ali won that night sold for $6.18 million in 2022.
Ali's knockout win in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) was a defining moment in boxing history. His charisma, political influence, and unforgettable ring presence make memorabilia connected to him highly valuable.
This championship belt, with all its symbolic power, found a fitting home with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.
9. Lakers Game-Worn and Signed Jersey from Kobe Bryant's MVP Season – $5.85 Million ($8.16 Million CAD)
Another Kobe Bryant jersey, this time from his 2007-08 MVP season, was sold for $5.85 million in 2023.
The jersey was worn in 25 games and features Bryant's signature, making it one of the most heavily used and highly authenticated pieces of his career. With the added weight of being from the only season he won MVP, this jersey is a must-have for any serious Kobe collector.
10. Babe Ruth's Yankees Road Jersey – $5.64 Million ($7.86 Million CAD)
Rounding out the list is another Babe Ruth jersey: a grey New York Yankees road uniform that sold for $5.64 million in 2019.
Dating back to the late 1920s, this jersey is one of the earliest surviving examples of Ruth's Yankees gear. With its rarity and historical importance, it held the record for most expensive sports memorabilia until several items overtook it in recent years.
Is Sports Memorabilia a Good Investment?
As we've explored, sports memorabilia can certainly be a lucrative investment for those with deep pockets and the patience to wait around for a few years (plus a touch of sentimentality).
Certain items have skyrocketed in value, especially those tied to legendary athletes or unforgettable moments.
The sports memorabilia market is powered by passionate fans, wealthy collectors, and increasingly, investors looking to diversify their portfolios, but it's only a small percentage of pieces that fetch seven-figure sums.
These most valuable items, like match-worn shirts from historic games, are incredibly rare and often already in the hands of private collectors. Breaking into this elite tier of collecting can be both challenging and costly.
For most people, the more accessible entry point to selling sports memorabilia and collectables will be with rare trading cards or autographed memorabilia, which can still appreciate in value over time.
With an eye for authenticity, dedication to preserving the cards and favourable market trends, even a modest collection can grow in value over time.
To help you unearth the next hidden gem of trading cards, take a look at the blogs below to see what's selling for big bucks:
- The 8 Most Valuable Hockey Cards from the 1990s
- The Most Valuable Wayne Gretzky Hockey Cards Ever Sold
- The Most Expensive Tim Hortons Hockey Cards
For more sports history and information, check out these Ask Genie guides:
