eBay Live has officially arrived down under, with AFL superstar Lance “Buddy” Franklin surprising shoppers yesterday by jumping onto the new live shopping platform and auctioning AFL trading cards of sentimental moments from his career.
These cards included a rare 2005 Select AFL Dynasty Draft Pick Lance Franklin Signature (Graded SGC 8) and a pristine-graded (BGS 10) rookie card of Buddy from the 2006 Select Champions series, valued at approximately $1,000 AUD, for just 1 cent.
But FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) hating Aussies need not fear, as beloved Heartbreak High star and Pokémon card collector Chloe Hayden is set to join a special celebrity guest auction on eBay Live this Saturday, December 6—with Pokémon trading cards valued at approximately $1,000 AUD being auctioned off for as little as 1 cent!
Already popular overseas in the US, UK, and Germany, eBay Live is a part of the live commerce trend, combining the excitement of live streaming with the ease of online shopping. It lets fans connect directly with sellers, explore unique products up close, and snap up exclusive deals before they disappear.
New research from eBay reveals that almost half of Australians (48 per cent) surveyed admit FOMO drives their spending habits, with one in two (50 per cent) Aussies citing they have missed out on coveted limited edition or rare items that they would have liked to have purchased. Live commerce provides the perfect opportunity to jump in and avoid that feeling of missing out, with 40 per cent of surveyed Aussies already eager to tune into live shopping streams.
Franklin’s inaugural stream gave Aussies a front‑row seat to a new way of shopping—equal parts auction and storytelling about the items on offer. He presented rare AFL cards tied to career milestones, connected with buyers through live chat, and built excitement right to the last card, where memories and collectables came together.
“Being part of eBay Live’s first Aussie stream isn’t unlike walking out for a match,” said Franklin. “It’s a live event with anticipation; you’re connecting with buyers who are also fans and watching the excitement build as items drop. You’re creating moments and memories with a community, which makes it the kind of shopping experience which you don’t want to miss, because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Hayden has joined the estimated 7.6 million people, or one in three surveyed adults (35 per cent) across Australia, who actively collect. Her upcoming stream is part of eBay Live’s growing calendar of interactive shopping events, which range from one-off celebrity surprise auctions to streams by Australia’s top sellers offering everything from collectable toys to unique trading cards.
“I’ve only just started to explore the Pokémon world and I’m already hooked,” said Hayden. “Doing it live with collectors and enthusiasts means we’re celebrating those surprises together, whether it’s uncovering a rare card or just sharing the excitement of live shopping in the moment.”
Live commerce is transforming retail globally, and eBay Live will now allow local audiences to enjoy the same rush as overseas fans by connecting with sellers, bidding in real time, and securing special buys before they’re gone.
Across the globe, demand for trading cards has risen in 2025, with Pokémon among the top search terms on eBay Australia this year, reflecting a wider collecting trend that eBay Live is set to tap into.
“Australians love a great deal and the thrill of the chase, but they also crave authentic experiences,” added Alaister Low, country manager, eBay Live Australia. “eBay Live brings our community together, combining the excitement of live shopping with the variety, value and unique finds Australians expect from eBay, starting with collectables and trading cards, all from trusted, verified sellers.”
Each stream offers different formats, from fixed‑time auctions to extended ones where last‑second bids trigger bonus time, giving every enthusiast a fair chance to secure their next great find.
