nonsport

Nonsport, in the context of trading cards and collectibles, designates a broad category of cards that depict subjects other than professional or amateur sports. The category is contrasted with sports cards, which feature athletes, teams, leagues, and game statistics. Nonsport sets cover a wide range of topics and have existed since the mid-20th century, expanding as licenses for film, TV, comics, and art became available.

Common subjects include licensed entertainment properties (Star Trek, Star Wars, Batman), horror and science-fiction franchises, film stills, celebrity portraits, animation, fantasy art, nature and wildlife, space exploration, and historical events or figures. Some sets are called art cards or sticker albums and may include chase cards, autographs, or embedded relics.

Collectors typically evaluate sets by completeness, rarity of inserts, and condition. Grading services such as PSA, BGS, and SGC assess card quality. Values vary with license popularity, artist prestige, and scarcity. The nonsport category has a trade press and online marketplaces; some publishers maintain dedicated lines; Nonsport Update is a trade publication covering the segment.

Notable publishers include Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Upper Deck; more recent entrants produce modern glossy sets and digital cards. The nonsport category remains a significant part of the trading-card hobby, appealing to fans of pop culture, art, and memorabilia, while preserving a distinct identity from athletic cards.