The bustling streets of New York City are set to transform into a haven for sports enthusiasts of every stripe as Fanatics Fest 2025 returns for another year of collectible madness, athlete appearances, and exclusive experiences. From June 20 to 22, the iconic Javits Center will once again serve as the boundary between the real world and a paradise for sports lovers. Think of it as the Comic-Con of sports, where every turn holds the promise of snagging a coveted autograph, a rare trading card, or simply a moment in the presence of athletic greatness.
It’s a three-day extravaganza that will cover the spectrum of sports—from the bone-crunching tackles of football to the dramatic choreography of wrestling. Yet, perhaps unsurprisingly in a city synonymous with baseball lore, there’s a hefty dose of America’s pastime in the mix. Attendees can look forward to crossing paths with baseball’s crème de la crème. Yes, the missing legend in your life will be there: none other than the Yankees captain himself, Derek Jeter. Joining the pantheon of baseball greats are Mike Piazza, Dwight Gooden, and Reggie Jackson, along with the newly anointed Hall of Famers CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.
But don’t let the MLB-centric celebrations fool you; the fest won’t skimp on variety. Expect to also catch a glimpse—or perhaps a selfie—with legends like Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Schmidt. To sweeten the deal for New York’s current baseball hope, keep an eye out for Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will be representing today’s New York Yankees with gleaming bats and bright futures.
The parade of stars isn’t confined to baseball alone. Prepare to show off your best selfie smile for icons from across multiple sports and entertainment monitors. Headliners at this grand assembly include LeBron James, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Kevin Durant, the champ who loves the ring but not the oval kind—John Cena, as well as a few notable figures from outside the sports arena altogether: the musical sensation Travis Scott, comedic whirlwind Kevin Hart, and the Hollywood stalwart Kevin Costner.
But let’s talk cards. Cue the ascending sound of an orchestra: card collectors, gird your wallets! Fanatics is pulling out all the stops with a slew of exclusive releases, a veritable symphony of collectibles that will hit the high notes of your collection pangs. Their Topps brand is taking center stage with some ultra-exclusive event-only offerings set to drop over the course of the festival.
Friday will kick things off with a limited-edition run of “Cactus Jack” high-end card boxes—yours for $500 each. These aren’t just boxes; they’re treasure chests filled with two packs, each containing four cards that promise heart-pounding anticipation as you deliberate whether to rip open or preserve for eternity.
The weekend, meanwhile, amps up with Fanatics Fest-exclusive Topps Series 2 editions, featuring enchanting NYC-themed parallels. Whether you’re going big with a $300 Hobby Box or opting for the $50 Value Box, there’s something to stuff in your suitcase back home. Get ready for card envy at the next meet-up.
Enter the beloved “merch village,” a bustling bazaar that will host a smorgasbord of booths showcasing cards and collectibles from the hottest names in the hobby. It’s a place where dreams come true—but bring your game face and your negotiation smarts.
A triumphant return this year is the much-buzzed-about “Museum of Greatness.” It’s back to tantalize you with its jaw-dropping display—over $200 million worth of sports memorabilia, if you can wrap your brain around that. Picture legendary artifacts from Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Shohei Ohtani lounging about like the fine art they surely are. And for card fanatics with ticker trouble, bring a paper bag: over 50 Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards will be there, including the million-buck Paul Skenes patch.
New offerings keep the adrenaline flowing with Fanatics Games, which offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to test your skills against the pros in challenges like the Pitching Accuracy contest. Cash prizes are in the offing for those who thrive under pressure.
Don’t forget the fanfare of panels and live podcasts that’ll run throughout the weekend, adding a layer of sports culture celebration that makes it so much more than a treasure hunt—it’s an immersive event that plunges attendees into the very soul of sports culture.
Last year, the festival drew an impressive 70,000 fans, and 2025’s iteration is setting its sights even higher. Book your tickets now or risk missing out on this unparalleled blend of fandom, commerce, and athlete adulation. For the full monty on ticketing, schedules, and more, a trip to FanaticsFest.com should be your next move.
