What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Mark McGwire’s 70th home run was a great achievement in 1998. This piece of baseball memorabilia sold for US$3 million in 1999.
A replica Jules Rimet trophy, presented to Pelé when Brazil won the World Cup in 1970, sold for £395,000 (approximately US$519,444 ) at an auction in 2016.
The Canadian ice hockey player's iconic No. 19 jersey was sold for US$1.27 million in 2010.
The Football Association Challenge Cup, aka the FA Cup, is an iconic trophy in English soccer. This specific version of the trophy, which was awarded from 1896 to 1910, sold for £760,000 (nearly US$1 million) in 2020.
"The Rumble in the Jungle" was a 1974 boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. The belt won by Ali fetched US$6.18 million in 2022. The winning bid came from NFL owner Jim Irsay.
The Canadian ice hockey player's final Oilers jersey, last worn in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup finals, sold for US$1.45 million.
The jersey Babe Ruth wore when he called his shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for US$24.12 million at auction in August 2024. This is the most expensive sports collectible ever sold at auction.
Diego Maradona's "The Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" 1986 World Cup match jersey fetched US$9.28 million at auction in 2022.
Between 2000 and 2001, the golf star won four consecutive major championship titles. The "Tiger Slam" irons and wedges were sold at auction for US$5.15 million in 2022.
Michael Jordan's 1998 Chicago Bulls "The Last Dance" jersey from Game 1 of the NBA finals fetched a whopping US$10.09 million at auction in 2022.
This set of six Argentina jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during the 2022 FIFA World Cup sold for US$7.8 million in 2023.
The jersey worn by the Yankees player is one of the most expensive ones sold at auction. It sold for US$4.68 million in 2023.
James Naismith's 1891 'Rules of Basketball' consists of two pages setting out the original 13 rules of basketball. It was sold for US$4.3 million in 2010.
Babe Ruth's Yankees road jersey is among the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. The Bambino's jersey fetched US$5.64 million at auction.
The original Olympic Games Manifesto, written by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, sold at auction for US$8.8 million in 2019.
Australia’s greatest spinner auctioned off his cap to raise money during the 2019 bushfires. Warne's Baggy Green test cap sold for just over AUD$1 million (around US$672,329).
The jersey worn by Joe Montana in two San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl victories sold for US$1.21 million in 2023.
With only about 60 in the whole world, this rare baseball card is often referred to as the holy grail of sports cards. It sold for US$7.25 million in 2023.
Speaking of rare and expensive baseball cards, Mickey Mantle's sold at auction in August 2022 for a record US$12.6 million.
The Lakers jersey worn in 25 games by Kobe Bryant during his 'MVP' season sold for US$5.84 million in 2023.
Before the Air Jordan 1 came out, Number 23 wore these Nike Air Ships during his rookie season. The pair sold at auction for US$1.47 million.
A pair of Air Jordan 1s were sold in 2020 for US$615,000. The pair had been worn by Michael Jordan when he shattered the backboard in Italy during a pre-season game.
The ring was awarded to the late NBA star after the Lakers won against the Pacers. The ring features 40 diamonds and the number eight, (Bryant's number during his early years). It sold for US$1.43 million in 2024.
The Dynasty Collection is a set of 6 individual Air Jordan sneakers. Each has been worn by MJ throughout six NBA championships. In 2024, it sold for US$8 million at auction.
The Miami Heat jersey worn by LeBron James on Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals sold for US$3.68 million in 2023.
The iconic Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Jackie Robinson was sold for US$2.05 million in 2017.
Sources: (ESPN) (GQ) (Sportico) (Altan Insights)
See also: Weirdest and rarest celebrity memorabilia ever auctioned
The gloves worn by the boxing legend during his 1971 fight against Joe Frazier, aka the "Fight of the Century," sold for US$606,375.
The world of sports memorabilia is a lucrative one, but not every collector has the chance—or financial capacity—to purchase the most sought-after items. Some bidders, however, put down serious cash to obtain pieces of sports history at auctions.
There is a select list of athletes whose jerseys, cards, and other objects, fetch millions at auction. But among these valuable objects, there are also trophies and important documents from sports history.
In this gallery, you'll find some of the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. Click on.
The most expensive sports memorabilia sold at auction
Some items fetched millions
LIFESTYLE Sports collectibles
The world of sports memorabilia is a lucrative one, but not every collector has the chance—or financial capacity—to purchase the most sought-after items. Some bidders, however, put down serious cash to obtain pieces of sports history at auctions.
There is a select list of athletes whose jerseys, cards, and other objects, fetch millions at auction. But among these valuable objects, there are also trophies and important documents from sports history.
In this gallery, you'll find some of the most expensive sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. Click on.