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Pokémon Trading Cards were first released in 1996, and the card game quickly became popular, leading to TV spinoffs and video games. These Pokémon card statistics & facts tell a fascinating tale about its continued popularity.

Latest Pokémon Card Statistics & Facts

  1. Since the release, the Pokémon Company has sold over 43.2 billion cards. (The Pokémon Company)
  2. Every person on the planet could own at least 4 Pokémon cards if all sold cards were equally distributed. (Trends and Tactics)
  3. During the first half of 2021, eBay recorded a 536% rise in gross merchandise value (GMV) for Pokémon (eBay)
  4. The Pokémon Company produced more than 9 billion cards in 2021/22. (The Pokémon Company)
  5. More than a quarter of all Pokémon cards were printed between 2020 and 2022. (Polygon)
  6. Pokémon Trading Card Game has released more sets in the US (86) than in Japan (76). (CBR)
  7. You can find Pokémon cards in 13 different languages. (The Pokémon Company)
  8. Pokémon cards are sold in 76 places. (Poke Guardian)
  9. Pokémon Trading Card Game is the best-selling trading card game after Yu-Gi-Oh!, although Pokémon cards tend to sell for more. (Live Door)

Individual Pokémon Cards

  1. 33% of Pokémon cards sold are “rare”, 23% are “holo rare”, and 13% are “ultra rare”. (Trends and Tactics)
  2. Pikachu is the most popular card sold overall and in cards that sell for over $1,000. (Trends and Tactics)
  3. The Pikachu Illustrator is the most expensive Pokémon card, selling for $5,275,000 in July. (Dice Breaker)
  4. Pikachu (Red Cheeks) from the Base Set is the most expensive ‘common’ type card, selling for around $340 raw. (TCG Player)
  5. There are only 39 cards of the Pikachu Illustrator card. (CBR)
  6. The second most valuable card is the 1999 First Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard #4, which sold for $420,000 in March 2022. (Dice Breaker)
  7. Gurdurr is one of the lowest-selling Pokémon cards on eBay. (Trends and Tactics)

Pokémon Card Sales Over the Years

  1. Pokémon card sales had a significant spike in 2021 after 15 years of more stable sales. (Trends and Tactics)
  2. During 2020 and 2021, the Pokémon Company sold 3.7 billion Pokémon (The Pokémon Company)
  3. In the first months of 2021, eBay sold over half a million cards. (Trends and Tactics)
  4. Card sales in 2020/21 make up 10.8% of all sold Pokémon (Nintendo Life)
  5. Compared to 2019/20, card sales increased by 15% in 2020/21. (Poke Guardian)
  6. In the year ending on March 2019, 1.5 billion Pokémon cards were sold, and by March 2020, 3.1 billion cards had traded hands. (Poke Guardian)
  7. Japanese Pokémon Card Game products were the best-selling item on eBay Japan for the fifth time in 2021. (Poke Guardian)
  8. Pokémon was France’s number one NPD toy property, with a 102% year-over-year increase. (TPCi)
  9. Pokémon was also number one in Belgium and the Netherlands, with 125% and 183% growth, respectively. (TPCi)