Published: 27/02/2025

Building a Profitable Lego Investment Portfolio

LEGO has long been a popular investment option. Over the years, rare LEGO sets have shown great potential, often outperforming traditional investments.

Given LEGO’s growing popularity in the alternative investment landscape, we’re not surprised that you’re thinking about investing in it, too. However, creating a successful LEGO investment portfolio takes more effort than just buying a few sets.

In this guide, we’ll explain the essentials of building a profitable LEGO investment portfolio, including what to buy, how to store it, and how to maximise your return on investment. Whether you're a beginner or looking to grow your existing collection, these steps will help you get started on the right foot.

Understanding the LEGO Market

The first rule of building, well, any profitable investment portfolio is learning about the assets you’re planning to add to it. So, before we go through the tips and best practices for investing in LEGO, let’s go through the key features of the LEGO market.

Types of LEGO Sets to Invest In

Not all LEGO sets are created equal. Some are far more likely to appreciate in value than others. Here are the most popular types of LEGO investments:

Retired LEGO Sets. Retired sets are the gold standard of LEGO investing. Once LEGO stops producing a set, it becomes increasingly rare, driving up demand and prices on the secondary market. Keeping an eye on LEGO’s retirement schedules can help you strategically invest in sets before they leave the shelves.
Limited Edition and Exclusive Sets. Special edition sets, often tied to events, collaborations, or specific anniversaries, are another category with excellent investment potential. Sets released during LEGO conventions or as part of limited partnerships tend to skyrocket in value after their production ends.
Iconic Themes. Themes like LEGO Star Wars, LEGO City, and LEGO Creator consistently attract a loyal following, making investing in them a relatively safe bet. Star Wars sets, in particular, are known for their enduring popularity and strong secondary market performance.

💡 Investor Tip: To maximise your returns, research upcoming retirements and exclusive releases in advance. Joining LEGO fan communities or forums can provide insider knowledge about sets that are likely to become valuable.

Who Drives the LEGO Market?

The LEGO market thrives thanks to its diverse group of buyers, each with different motivations and strategies. Understanding these key players can help you tailor your investment approach for maximum returns:

Collectors. Collectors are perhaps the most passionate buyers in the LEGO market. They seek rare or retired sets to complete their collections, and they’re often willing to pay a premium for them. This demand creates a strong secondary market, making collectors a driving force behind LEGO's value appreciation.
Parents. Most parents primarily purchase LEGO sets as gifts for their children. However, many are increasingly aware of the potential resale value. Some parents even hold onto popular or limited-edition sets, recognising their potential to become valuable assets once retired.
Resellers. Resellers treat LEGO purely as an investment opportunity. They often purchase sets in bulk, particularly those nearing retirement, with the intent of selling them at a higher price in the future. Resellers keep the supply chain moving and fuel the aftermarket demand for sought-after sets.

💡Investor Tip: Identify which buyer group aligns with your investment strategy. If you’re targeting collectors, focus on rare and iconic themes. For resellers, bulk buying of retiring sets can yield short-term gains.

Where Can You Buy and Sell LEGO?

Choosing the right platform is essential when buying or selling LEGO sets. Trusted marketplaces ensure you get the best value while minimising risks.

eBay is the most popular option for buying and selling LEGO. It offers a massive marketplace where you can find everything from retired sets to rare minifigures. However, pricing can be competitive, so it’s crucial to research listings and be mindful of fees.

For a platform designed specifically for LEGO collectors and investors, you can choose BrickLink. It’s an excellent platform for buying individual pieces, rare sets, or even entire collections. Additionally, the community-driven nature of BrickLink ensures quality transactions, but patience is key to finding the best deals.

📈 Splint Invest: A Better Alternative to LEGO Investment

For a more streamlined and professional approach, Splint Invest offers curated LEGO investment opportunities. Unlike general marketplaces, Splint Invest focuses on alternative investments, providing expertly selected LEGO collections.

Our platform allows investors to diversify their LEGO investment portfolio without the hassle of sourcing and verifying individual sets yourself. We handle everything from finding, buying, storing, and selling the sets.

Learn How to Invest in LEGO with Splint Invest

How to Build Your First LEGO Portfolio?

Now that you understand the basics, it’s time to start building your LEGO investment portfolio. Just like with any other type of investment, it’s important to approach LEGO investing strategically.

Step 1: Research LEGO Sets

The first step in building a profitable LEGO collection is researching what to buy. You’ll want to focus on sets and minifigures that are likely to appreciate in value. This can involve tracking upcoming retirements, analysing past performance trends, and identifying high-demand themes.

We’ve already covered this, but to remind you, look for sets that are:

Exclusive or Limited Edition: Sets released for special occasions or anniversaries are often more valuable.
High-Quality Designs: Sets with intricate or large designs tend to be more desirable.
Popular Themes: As mentioned, sets from themes like Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Disney are consistently sought after.
Retiring Sets: Keep an eye on sets that LEGO plans to retire. As soon as the set is no longer available in retail, the prices tend to increase, and the more rare the set, the higher prices it will likely drive.

Your LEGO portfolio will only be as good as the sets you include in it, so spend some time doing your research. Platforms like BrickLink are excellent for looking up rare sets and prices. Checking LEGO forums can also be a good idea.

Step 2: Budgeting and Risk Assessment

Like any other investment, budgeting is essential. Before you begin buying sets, determine how much you're willing to invest in your LEGO portfolio. Remember, it’s best to start with a modest budget and scale up as you gain experience.

💡 Investor’s Advice: Diversify Your LEGO Investments

While some sets may offer high returns, investing in just one set or theme can leave you vulnerable to market fluctuations. Aim to diversify by purchasing a mix of different themes, sizes, and exclusivity levels. This helps to spread the risk and ensures that you’re not overly reliant on the performance of a single set.

Step 3: Storage and Maintenance

Once you’ve made your purchases, it’s crucial to store your LEGO sets properly. The condition of your sets directly impacts their future resale value.

Keep your sets sealed in their original boxes, away from direct sunlight, and in a temperature-controlled environment. Keeping sets in mint condition is essential for maintaining their value over time and makes finding buyers easier.

💡 Tips for Maximising Your LEGO Investment ROI

Investing in LEGO is not just about buying the right sets – how and when you sell them is equally important. Here are some tips for maximising your ROI:

Buy During Discounts: Look out for sales, discounts, and special promotions where you can pick up valuable sets at a lower cost.
Sell After Retirement: The best time to sell a LEGO set is after it has been retired, as demand tends to increase significantly. Be patient, though, and don’t rush to sell too early.
Monitor Trends: Keep an eye on current trends in the LEGO market, such as new set releases or collaborations. Sets related to highly anticipated films or events tend to spike in value after their release.
Network with Other Collectors: Joining LEGO investment groups or communities (both online and offline) can provide valuable insights and opportunities to buy and sell sets at the right time.

Become a LEGO Investor with Splint Invest

Building a profitable LEGO investment portfolio can be an exciting and rewarding venture. However, like any other form of investment, it must be approached with knowledge, patience, and strategic planning.

By focusing on retiring sets, diversifying your investments, and maintaining your collection in top condition, you can watch your LEGO sets appreciate in value over time.

If you're looking for a convenient and secure way to start building your LEGO investment portfolio, Splint Invest offers an excellent opportunity. Not only can you find expertly curated LEGO collections, but you can also invest alongside other like-minded collectors and investors. With the right tools, the world of LEGO investment is yours to explore.

So, why not take the next step and start building your profitable LEGO collection today?

See for yourself

Create an account and invest in alternative assets - all in less than 2 minutes. Everything else is just as simple.