As summer 2025 approaches, New York City is primed to transform into a veritable nirvana for sports enthusiasts and memorabilia collectors alike. From June 20th to June 22nd, the famed Javits Center will morph into the heart of sports culture, where legends come alive and tangible dreams of every fan’s ultimate collection lie waiting.
Fanatics Fest, the multi-day extravaganza which took its inaugural bow last year, is back with a bang, promising not only an expanded roster of sports icons but also what can only be described as paradise for anyone whose heart beats a little faster for the sight of rare collectibles.
Baseball aficionados, in particular, will find themselves grinning from ear to ear as legends of the diamond take center stage. Autograph hounds will have the opportunity to snag signatures from New York’s own beloved giants like Derek Jeter and Mike Piazza, whose swinging days might be behind them, but whose allure still ignites the city’s passion. Add to them the likes of Dwight Gooden, Reggie Jackson, and recent Hall of Fame inductees such as CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, and you have a batting lineup that even fantasy leagues would envy. For those with an eye on active players, current Yankees like Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr. provide a taste of the now.
The appeal of Fanatics Fest, however, isn’t confined to the diamond alone. The event’s guest list reads like a who’s who of sporting pantheons and showbiz legends. Picture this: mingling with LeBron James or exchanging banter with Peyton Manning while Tom Brady and Kevin Durant charm a room full of admirers. Not to be outdone, entertainment stars, from John Cena’s wrestling arena exploits to musician Travis Scott’s beats, promise a cross-genre spectacle of celebrity gazing. For movie buffs and humor enthusiasts, appearances by Kevin Hart and Kevin Costner provide comic relief and cinematic anecdotes alike.
For the collectors, the real heroes of Fanatics Fest might just be the exclusive memorabilia and event-only drops. Fanatics, waving the flag for their revered Topps brand, are rolling out a trio of event-specific card releases. The star attraction? Friday’s “Cactus Jack” boxes, an elusive high-end collectible priced at $500 a pop, appreciated for containing cards that might just redefine ‘rare’. Over the weekend, exclusive Topps Series 2 boxes, uniquely New York-themed, will offer fans affordability in their quest for treasured parallels, with hobby boxes starting at $300 and value options beginning at $50.
It’s not a Fest without a little bit of “shop til you drop.” The aptly named “merch village” promises a trove of timeless treasures, where collectors can lose themselves among rows of booths filled with cards and collectibles that capture the spirit and history of the sports world. And, for those with exceptionally deep pockets—and perhaps aspirations to rival Scrooge McDuck—a visit to the “Museum of Greatness” is a must. Here, $200 million worth of sports memorabilia awaits the eager gaze; from the mythical energy of a Babe Ruth baseball to the tangible prowess of Mickey Mantle’s artifacts. Not to forget the modern marvel of Shohei Ohtani pieces and über-rare Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards—where the Paul Skenes patch card stands as a million-dollar marvel of the contemporary era.
This year sees the introduction of Fanatics Games, a cornucopia of interactive challenges where attendees can pit their wits (and skills) against professional athletes. Fancy your hand at Pitching Accuracy? Now’s your chance to notch up a win and take home some cash prizes to boot.
Panel discussions and live podcasts further enrich the experience, inviting fans to dive deeper into the realm of sports and share in stories that knit together the past, present, and future of athletic achievement. More than a marketplace, Fanatics Fest presents a celebration—a joyous convergence of souls whose passion for sports and collectibles interweaves with the stars that have made these aspirations shine brightly.
With an anticipated audience exceeding the 70,000 fans that gathered last year, 2025’s Fanatics Fest is setting the stage for a record-breaking rendition. This is more than a three-day event—it’s a testament to the vibrant, ever-growing community of sports enthusiasts and a love letter to memorabilia collectors worldwide.
For ticket details and additional information, enthusiasts are encouraged to visit FanaticsFest.com, where the full schedule promises a lineup that will have fans marking their calendars and counting down the days.
