Dubai · GCC · International

The specialist house for sporting provenance

Curated auctions and private sales of football memorabilia, match-worn collectibles and signed artefacts — sourced, authenticated and sold with institutional discipline.

View Upcoming Sales Consign With Us
Focus
Football-Led
Model
Auction & Private
Authentication
Layered
Settlement
Controlled
About the House

Built on discipline,
not on hype.

Sporting Reserve is a specialist auction and private sales house for sporting memorabilia — founded in Dubai and operating across the Gulf and internationally.

We exist because the market for sports collectibles in the GCC is underserved by specialist expertise. Global auction houses treat sport as a secondary category. Online marketplaces offer reach but not trust. Private brokers work on relationships alone, without institutional controls.

We occupy the space between all three: a curated, controlled platform where every lot carries verified provenance, independent authentication, and transparent sale terms. Our model combines public price discovery through auctions with the discretion and speed of private transactions.

Founded by Aleksei Gusev, the house is built on a single conviction: in this market, the brand that earns trust first wins. Everything else — scale, expansion, category growth — follows from that.

I
Provenance First
We reject lots with incomplete ownership history, regardless of commercial appeal. One bad provenance call destroys more value than a hundred good sales create.
II
Controlled Supply
Every lot passes a four-gate intake committee: category fit, minimum value, provenance quality, reputational risk. We say no more often than we say yes.
III
Transparent Economics
Buyer's premium, seller's commission and reserve policies are disclosed upfront. No hidden charges, no opaque deal structures.
IV
Settlement Discipline
Hammer does not equal revenue until funds are cleared, the dispute window closes and the buyer confirms receipt. We protect both sides of the transaction.
How We Sell

Two channels.
One standard of trust.

Every lot passes the same intake committee, authentication layer and provenance review — whether it sells at auction or through a private transaction.

Public Price Discovery

Curated Auctions

Timed online sales and select hybrid events with strict catalogue standards. Every lot carries a provenance memo, condition report and authentication packet. Reserve policy is transparent; sell-through discipline is non-negotiable.

Discreet Transactions

Private Sales

For consignors and buyers who prefer confidentiality. Same institutional controls — intake screening, title verification, settlement protocol — without the public stage. Faster execution, controlled exposure, direct negotiation.

What We Sell

Specialist categories,
not catalogue filler.

We focus on investable sporting memorabilia with verifiable provenance. Mass sporting goods and generic fan merchandise are excluded by design.

I

Match-Worn & Match-Used

Shirts, boots, gloves and equipment worn or used during official matches. The core of our premium segment — highest provenance bar, highest trust requirement.

Core Category
II

Signed Memorabilia

Autographed items from verified sources. Only PSA, Beckett or equivalent certified items, or items with documented chain of custody from player or club.

Core Category
III

Curated Trading Cards

Selected graded cards and rare inserts. Presented as a dedicated stream — not mixed with museum-grade memorabilia in the same catalogue section.

Core Category
IV

Historic Footballs & Boots

Match balls, vintage boots, and equipment with documented provenance from historic fixtures, tournaments and moments.

Selective
V

Trophies, Medals & Awards

The rarest and most sensitive category. Accepted only with verified title, clear legal chain and full disclosure. No compromises on ownership disputes.

By Exception
VI

Future Categories

Multi-sport expansion, corporate formats, and charity sale partnerships — introduced only after processes and trust are established. Growth through control, not through catalogue inflation.

Roadmap
Sales Programme

Current & forthcoming sales

Now Registering

First XI Sale

Inaugural Online Auction
Autumn 2026

Al Mina Collection

Curated Gulf Football Heritage
Winter 2026

Gulf Icons

Signed & Match-Worn Highlights
Ongoing

Private Sales Desk

Discreet transactions by appointment
Why Sporting Reserve
Our Position

What exists today —
and where we sit.

The sports memorabilia market is not empty. It is fragmented. We occupy the gap between global houses, online marketplaces, private dealers and direct club sales.

Vs.
Global Auction Houses
Sport is not their core category. GCC clients are not always in focus. Small and mid-range lots may be treated as secondary. We offer faster intake, deeper football expertise and local access.
Vs.
Online Marketplaces
High reach but low trust. High counterfeit risk, weak premium brand effect. We offer curated selection, strict provenance, and a controlled buyer experience.
Vs.
Private Dealers & Brokers
Fast and confidential, but opaque pricing and limited buyer pools. We combine private sales discretion with auction price discovery in one house.
Vs.
Direct Club & Player Sales
Strong source material but irregular, poorly packaged and exposed to conflict of interest. We add institutional intake, legal chain, storytelling and catalogue presentation.
Trust Architecture

Five gates between intake
and the catalogue.

Our controls are not back-office detail — they are the product. Buyers pay premium because they trust the process behind every lot.

I

Intake

Category fit, minimum value threshold, seller KYC, ownership representations and preliminary pricing range. Reserve discussion begins here.

II

Authentication

Layered verification: third-party opinion, provenance chain, internal rejection rules. No single point of trust. Right to reject at any stage.

III

Provenance

Title memo, prior invoices, photographic evidence, correspondence trail. Gaps are disclosed, not hidden. Incomplete history = rejected lot.

IV

Cataloguing

Condition report, high-resolution photography, lot essay, reserve committee review. Publication only after full clearance from all gates.

V

Settlement

Payment deadline, cleared funds before release, dispute window, seller holdback protocol. The hammer is not the end — settlement is.

Consign With Us

Have something
worth selling properly?

We are selectively accepting consignments for our inaugural sales programme. If your item has strong provenance and falls within our specialist categories, we want to hear from you.

Match-worn shirts, boots and equipment with documented origin
Signed memorabilia with PSA, Beckett or equivalent certification
Historic match balls, trophies and awards with clear title
Graded trading cards and rare inserts in investment-grade condition
Collections from players, clubs, agents and private collectors

All submissions are reviewed by our intake committee within 5 business days. We reserve the right to decline any item that does not meet our provenance or quality standards.

Submit for Review

Questions

Frequently asked

What is the buyer's premium?+
Our buyer's premium ranges from 18% to 25% of the hammer price, depending on the sale format and lot value. The exact rate is published in the conditions of sale for each auction.
How do you authenticate items?+
We use a layered approach: third-party authentication services (PSA, Beckett and specialist consultants), provenance chain verification, and our own internal review with the right to reject at any stage. No single opinion is sufficient — we require convergence across layers.
What does the seller pay?+
Seller's commission ranges from 0% to 15% depending on lot quality, estimated value and consignment terms. Strong lots with high sell-through probability may receive preferential rates. All terms are agreed before the item enters our catalogue.
Can I sell privately instead of at auction?+
Yes. Our private sales desk handles discreet transactions with the same institutional controls as our auctions — intake screening, authentication, provenance review and settlement protocol. This channel suits consignors who prefer confidentiality or faster execution.
How long does settlement take?+
Buyers must pay within the deadline specified in our sale terms (typically 7 business days). Items are released only after funds clear. Seller settlement follows after the dispute window closes and delivery is confirmed.
Do you accept items below a certain value?+
We maintain minimum value thresholds to ensure catalogue quality and operational viability. The threshold varies by category. Items below our minimum may be referred to partner channels or grouped into curated collection lots.
Where are you based?+
Our headquarters are in Dubai, UAE. We serve clients across the GCC and internationally. Consignments can be arranged from any location with appropriate logistics and insurance coordination.
Contact

Get in touch

General Enquiries
Consignments
Reviewed within 5 business days
Private Sales
By appointment
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