The most expensive shirt ever sold at auction is the jersey Babe Ruth wore in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, the “called shot” game, which sold for $24.12 million through Heritage Auctions on 25 August 2024. Behind it sit the shirts that collectors fight over most: Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals jerseys, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” shirt and Jackie Robinson’s Brooklyn Dodgers jersey. We rank only sales we could trace to a specific reported transaction, so this is a Top 4 as of October 2026, followed by a clearly labelled list of recent reported sales still awaiting a second confirmation.
| Rank | Shirt | Price (USD) | Sale date | Sold at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jackie Robinson, 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers home jersey | More than $4.2 million | Reported 2021 | Hunt Auctions (private treaty) |
| 3 | Diego Maradona, 1986 World Cup “Hand of God” shirt | About $9.28 million | April to May 2022 | Sotheby’s London |
| 2 | Michael Jordan, 1998 NBA Finals Game 1 jersey | $10.1 million | 2022 | Sotheby’s |
| 1 | Babe Ruth, 1932 World Series Game 3 jersey | $24.12 million | August 2024 | Heritage Auctions |
4. Jackie Robinson’s 1950 Dodgers jersey: more than $4.2 million
Hunt Auctions announced a private treaty sale of Robinson’s 1950 Brooklyn Dodgers home jersey at more than $4.2 million, a record for any Robinson game-used item. The jersey was photo-matched to images from the 1950 season and authenticated by SGC, and it is described as one of only a few surviving authentic home Dodgers jerseys of its kind.
The figure comes from the auction house’s own announcement; the page does not give the sale date.
3. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” shirt: about $9.28 million
Maradona wore this Argentina shirt in the 2-1 quarterfinal win over England at the 1986 World Cup, the match in which he scored both goals, including the “Hand of God”. England midfielder Steve Hodge swapped shirts with him after the game. Sotheby’s London sold it after an auction that opened on 21 April 2022, and the result of $9.28 million was reported on 4 May 2022. It set a record for a match-worn shirt.
We use the reported sale price of $9.28 million, fees included.
2. Michael Jordan’s 1998 Finals Game 1 jersey: $10.1 million
Sotheby’s sold the jersey Jordan wore in Game 1 of the 1998 NBA Finals, when he scored 33 points for the Chicago Bulls in a loss to the Utah Jazz. At $10.1 million it was a record for a game-worn jersey when it sold.
The Sotheby’s number is the reported price with fees. Later Jordan sales (see below) have been reported higher.
1. Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey: $24.12 million
Ruth wore this New York Yankees jersey in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series, the game of the home run known as the called shot. It sold through Heritage Auctions on 25 August 2024 for $24.12 million, beating the previous sports collectible record, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card at $12.6 million in 2022.
The same jersey had sold for $1,056,630 at auction in 2005, so its price rose about 23 times in 19 years.
This is the reported Heritage Auctions price, buyer’s premium included.
Reported sales awaiting confirmation
Reported but not ranked, because we could not trace each to a primary result page this session: a Jordan 1998 Finals Game 2 jersey at about $14 million (October 2026) and a Game 3 jersey at about $12.26 million (September 2026), a Kobe Bryant Lakers jersey at about $7 million (April 2025), and a Jackie Robinson 1951 Dodgers jersey at about $5.2 million (August 2024). If confirmed, the two 2026 Jordan jerseys would rank second and third on this list.
What drives these prices
- Proof of use. Buyers pay most for a shirt photo-matched to a famous game.
- Rarity. Early jerseys survive in tiny numbers.
- Mythology. Ruth, Jordan, Maradona and Robinson each carry a story that cannot be recreated.
- Competition between sellers. Auction houses and private brokers all court these lots.
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What is the most expensive shirt in the world?
Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, which sold for $24.12 million through Heritage Auctions in August 2024.
What is the most expensive football shirt?
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” shirt, sold by Sotheby’s London in 2022 for about $9.28 million.
What is the most expensive Michael Jordan jersey?
Among sales we could confirm, the 1998 Finals Game 1 jersey at $10.1 million. Higher 2026 sales have been reported.
Who bought Babe Ruth’s jersey?
The reports we reviewed did not name the buyer.
What is the cheapest shirt on this list?
Jackie Robinson’s 1950 Dodgers jersey, reported at more than $4.2 million.
How we put this list together
We ranked shirts by the price paid in a specific reported sale, using auction-house announcements and news reports of single sales, compiled in an internal valuation model. Prices are approximate and change over time.
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Last updated: October 2026.
