Auction sales surge 70% in first half of 2026, ArtTactic reports
In the first half of 2026, global auction sales at Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips hit $6.8 billion, a whopping 70% increase from last year, as reported by ArtTactic. This is the strongest first-half showing since 2022. London led the charge with a 131% jump, reaching $1.42 billion, just below the $1.47 billion from the same period in 2022. Overall, sell-through rates rose to 91%, thanks to 131 exclusive auctions. Christie's brought in $3.4 billion, Sotheby's $2.8 billion, and Phillips $505.4 million. Significant sales, like the Lewis collection in London, helped boost these numbers. Online auctions also thrived, with a 22% increase and 33,474 lots sold, despite some market challenges.
Key facts
- Global auction sales at Christie's, Sotheby's and Phillips were up 70% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, at $6.8bn.
- London saw the strongest growth, with total sales rising 131% to $1.42bn.
- Overall sell-through rates reached 91%, with 131 white-glove auctions.
- Christie's sales were $3.4bn (up 71%), Sotheby's $2.8bn (up 71%), and Phillips $505.4m (up 59%).
- Luxury collectibles sales increased by 25%, with memorabilia rising 308% to $96.1m.
- Online-only auctions increased 22% from a five-year low, with a record 33,474 lots sold.
- The Lewis Collection sale at Sotheby's in June pulled $390m.
- Hong Kong's sales volume grew nearly 30% to $764m, but its relative market share fell.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- Christie's
- Sotheby's
- Phillips
- ArtTactic
- Heritage Auctions
- Artnet
- Artnet Price Database
- Zabludowicz Collection
- Lewis Collection
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- New York
- United States
- Hong Kong
- China
- Paris
- France
- Geneva
- Switzerland