As the clocks tick towards summer 2025, the Big Apple is setting the stage for one of the year’s most anticipated events for sports aficionados and collectors alike. Get ready, because Fanatics Fest is making its highly awaited return to New York City’s Javits Center from June 20th to 22nd. Serving as a nexus for everything sports-related, from football gear to wrestling memorabilia, and a veritable treasure trove for any baseball devotee worth their salt, this year’s festival is designed to outshine its predecessor in the grandest of ways.
One cannot speak of Fanatics Fest without diving into the array of baseball highlights that promise to knock it out of the park. Baseball enthusiasts, sharpen your ballpoint pens and charge up your camera phones, as a roster of legendary stars is ready to grace the event with their presence. Imagine rubbing shoulders with icons such as Derek Jeter, Mike Piazza, and Reggie Jackson, or witnessing newly-minted Hall of Famers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner in the flesh. For Yankees fans, the likes of Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr. will add a pinch of contemporary pizzazz to the legendary lineup.
But don’t assume for a second that the celebrations are restricted to the diamond. The festival plays host to a star-studded conclave of personalities across various sports. Whether you’re an admirer of LeBron James’s slam dunks or Tom Brady’s precise passes, a Peyton Manning devotee, or Kevin Durant’s fierce follower, this event has you covered. The entry list strewn with celebrities doesn’t end there – embrace the chance to get entertained by appearances from John Cena, Henrik Lundqvist, and even Hollywood charmers like Travis Scott, Kevin Hart, and Kevin Costner as they join in the festivities.
However, it isn’t solely the star sightings that will cause a stir at Fanatics Fest. For the purveyors of trading cards and those who cherish collectibles, the festival promises exclusive releases that are certain to augment any collection. The event will throw a spotlight on Fanatics’ Topps brand through three tantalizing card releases tailored to the event. Visitors on Friday can try their luck with the “Cactus Jack” high-end boxes, available for $500, each packed with potential and containing two packs of four cards.
If diversifying collections is the goal, Saturday and Sunday open doors to Fanatics Fest-exclusive Topps Series 2 boxes that carry NYC-themed parallels. With Hobby boxes marked at $300 and Value boxes a relative bargain at $50, there are opportunities aplenty for both serious collectors and those dipping their toes into the world of sports collectibles.
The festival is not just about restocking your collection. It promises an immersive experience with the “Museum of Greatness,” a mesmerizing exhibit bringing over $200 million of iconic sports memorabilia under one roof. Keep your eyes peeled for historic gems attributed to the likes of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, as well as contemporary icons such as Shohei Ohtani. Don’t miss the unique showcase of more than 50 Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards, an exceptional assembly that features the highly coveted million-dollar Paul Skenes patch. With only 347 patches in circulation, seeing over 50 in one go is nothing short of a prestige showcase.
A fresh addition to this year’s lineup is Fanatics Games, which challenges attendees to step into the shoes of professional athletes by partaking in interactive competitions, such as Pitching Accuracy, with enticing cash prizes up for grabs. The festival curates a panel of diverse activities with panels, live podcasts, and engaging experiences running throughout the duration. Fanatics Fest transcends the boundaries of a typical shopping congregation to become an all-encompassing celebration of sports culture and fandom.
Following the resounding success of its inaugural year, which drew a crowd of 70,000 passionate fans, Fanatics Fest 2025 is set to attract an even larger gathering of enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a sports scholar, or a superstar chaser, this event has something that packs a punch.
For those yearning to make the most of the Fanatics Fest experience, ensure your diaries are marked and tickets secured. Detailed schedules, ticket purchasing, and more exclusive insights are available at FanaticsFest.com. Prepare for an event where the intersections of sports history, celebrity, and collecting converge in an unmissable tapestry of passion and entertainment in the heart of New York City.
