The votes are in, the slabs are sealed, and the confetti has settled.
I hope you all tuned into The Mantel Hobby Awards show live. It was a fun, exciting night dedicated to the people—the artists, breakers, shops, and executives—who make this hobby the global phenomenon it is today. If you missed the broadcast, don’t worry. You can watch the full replay here.
But if you’re just looking for the hardware, we’ve got you covered. Here are the official winners and nominees for the 2025 Mantel Hobby Awards.
Best Sports Card Product
The Nominees:
- Topps Chrome Update 2024 (WINNER)
- Panini NFL National Treasures
- Panini WNBA Rookie Royalty
- Topps 50/50: Shohei Ohtani
- Upper Deck The Cup 2023-24
The Winner: Topps Chrome Update 2024
Released in November 2024, this set continued the Chrome tradition by injecting fresh rookie content, autographs, and refractor chases into the mid-season calendar. Highlighted by the massive Rookie Debut Patch Autographs, it successfully bridged the gap between traditional flagship releases and modern premium chases.
Best Marketplace
The Nominees:
- eBay (WINNER)
- ALT
- CollX
- COMC
- Fanatics Collect
- My Card Post
- Ryan’s Cards Discord
- TCGplayer
The Winner: eBay
As the world’s largest trading card marketplace, eBay continues to innovate with features like PSA grading at checkout and integrated population data. Their 2025 “eBay Live on Tour” series further connected the digital marketplace with physical collector communities through city-to-city events.
Best Hobby Shop
The Nominees:
- Burbank Sportscards (WINNER)
- AA Mint Cards
- Bleecker Trading
- Cards HQ
- CardVault by Tom Brady
- Grand Slam Collectibles
- Lucky 7 Cards
- Mintink Trading Cards
- Roadshow Cards
The Winner: Burbank Sportscards
A Southern California landmark, Burbank solidified its legendary status by opening a massive new 14,000-square-foot flagship in 2025. The shop sets the standard for modern retail by seamlessly pairing a world-class showroom with an industrial-scale fulfillment engine for their massive inventory.
Best Custom Card Artist
The Nominees:
- Tyson Beck (WINNER)
- Andy Friedman
- The Card Carver
- Kev’s Kards
- Kickstradomis
- Luke the Cardist
- Mr.Shadowbox
- Spector Art
The Winner: Tyson Beck
Arguably the most famous custom sports card designer in the world, Beck has redefined the aesthetic of modern cards through his futuristic style. His influence extends from custom creations to official collaborations with major leagues and brands, reshaping how we visualize the hobby.
Best Breaking Platform
The Nominees:
- Whatnot (WINNER)
- District
- eBay Live
- Fanatics Live
- Loupe
The Winner: Whatnot
With live-sales GMV surpassing $3 billion, Whatnot continues to dominate the livestream space by turning commerce into entertainment. Their expansion into rewards programs and upgraded seller tools has made them the go-to global hub for interactive collecting.
Best Sold Memorabilia
The Nominees:
- Shohei Ohtani 50/50 HR Ball – Goldin Auctions (WINNER)
- Babe Ruth Called Shot Jersey
- Kobe Bryant Debut Lakers Jersey
- MJ / Kobe Bryant Exquisite Logoman Autographs
- Paul Skenes Rookie Debut Patch Card
The Winner: Shohei Ohtani 50/50 HR Ball
Selling for a record-shattering $4.392 million at Goldin, this ball represents the pinnacle of Ohtani’s historic 50/50 season. It stands not just as a piece of baseball history, but as the most valuable ball ever sold in any sport, symbolizing Ohtani’s global dominance.
Best Livestream Sellers
The Nominees:
- Mama Breaks (WINNER)
- Cardboard 47
- Filthbomb Breaks
- Grand Salami Sports Cards
- Hobby House FL
- Swish Breaks
- Ty the Card Guy
- WeTheHobby
The Winner: Mama Breaks
A fan-favorite known for bringing energy and inclusivity to the breaking world, Mama Breaks has built a fiercely loyal community across sports and non-sports genres. Her consistency and positive approach have made her a trusted pillar of the livestream breaking landscape.
Best Collectible Show
The Nominees:
- The National Sports Collectors Convention (WINNER)
- Dallas Card Show
- Fanatics Fest
- Sports Card Expo
- West Coast Card Show
The Winner: The National Sports Collectors Convention
Setting a new all-time attendance record in Chicago this year, “The National” remains the undisputed Super Bowl of the card show calendar. It continues to be the central meeting place where the entire industry converges, from grading giants to autograph pavilions and trade nights.
Best Non-Sports/TCG Product
The Nominees:
- Topps Chrome Disney 2024 (WINNER)
- Leaf Metal Pop Century
- Magic: the Gathering – FINAL FANTASY
- Topps Chrome Veefriends
- Vibes – Enter the Huddle
The Winner: Topps Chrome Disney 2024
Celebrating a century of storytelling, this set successfully merged iconic Disney characters with Topps’ signature chromium technology. The release became a crossover hit, captivating both non-sports fans and traditional hobbyists with its high-end refractors and nostalgic chases.
Innovation of the Year
The Nominees:
- CollX (WINNER)
- CHCK.AI
- Collectors Card
- Heystack
- Ludex
The Winner: CollX
Having processed over 1 billion scans, CollX transformed from a scanning app into a fully integrated marketplace in 2025. Their technology now allows millions of collectors to identify, value, and transact seamlessly, bridging the gap between digital management and physical commerce.
Best Media Platform
The Nominees:
- Sports Card Investor (WINNER)
- cllct
- Prospects Live
- Sports Cards Nonsense
- Trove
The Winner: Sports Card Investor
Through data-driven tools like Market Movers and a massive content network, Sports Card Investor continues to lead the way in hobby education and analysis. Their expansion into physical retail with CardsHQ further cements their status as a hybrid platform blending media, technology, and community.
Grading Company of the Year
The Nominees:
- PSA (WINNER)
- C3 Grading
- CGC
- SGC
- TAG
The Winner: PSA
Having graded nearly 100 million cards, PSA remains the global standard for authentication and market value. In 2025, they continued to innovate with new services like the Certified Repack program and eBay integration, reinforcing their position as the hobby’s most trusted authority.
Best Auction House
The Nominees:
- Goldin Auctions (WINNER)
- Alt
- Fanatics Collect
- Heritage Auctions
- Pristine Auctions
- The Realest
- REA
- Sotheby’s
The Winner: Goldin Auctions
Surpassing $1 billion in total sales and now backed by eBay, Goldin has cemented itself as the premier stage for high-end collectibles. They facilitated the year’s biggest headlines, including the record-breaking $4.39 million sale of Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 ball.
Hobby Influencer of the Year
The Nominees:
- King of the Kards (WINNER)
- Card Collector 2
- Don Diego Trading
- Gucci Rips
- Like Father Like Son Cards
- Mary Gamble Gamble
- Mojo Sports
- Natureluvzyou
- She Breaks
- Talon Sportscards
The Winner: King of the Kards
Kyle Kravitz has become one of the hobby’s most recognizable faces by capturing the high-stakes energy of the show floor with unmatched enthusiasm. His content perfectly balances the thrill of big-money deals with the human stories that drive the modern marketplace.
Collectibles Executive of the Year
The Nominees:
- Ken Goldin (WINNER)
- Brian Dwyer
- Chris Ivy
- Mike Mahan
- Jason Masherah
- Nicolas le Jeune
- Nat Turner
- Brahm Wachter
The Winner: Ken Goldin
From selling his company to eBay to acquiring Studio Auctions, Ken Goldin orchestrated a massive year of expansion while remaining the face of the industry. Through his Netflix series and record-breaking auctions, he continues to serve as the hobby’s most visible cultural ambassador.
The Final Word
And just like that, the 2025 Mantel Hobby Awards are in the books. It was a night to celebrate the innovation, passion, and people who drive this industry forward—but the hobby never sleeps.
The road to the 2026 awards starts right now. To keep your finger on the pulse of the market, track your collection, and be sure to download the Mantel app to keep up to date with next year’s nomination process.
See you on the show floor.
You can check the whole Hobby Awards stream here.
Your collection deserves a community, join Mantel today!
