Fanatics Fest NYC
The Comic-Con of Sports — The World's Largest Sports Fan Festival
Show Overview
Fanatics Fest NYC has exploded onto the scene as the world's largest sports fan festival, blending a massive trading card show with athlete appearances, exclusive product drops, and a sports culture experience unlike anything else. Held at the iconic Javits Center in Manhattan, Fanatics Fest drew 125,000+ attendees in 2025 and is expanding to four full days in 2026.
What sets Fanatics Fest apart from traditional card shows is its scale and production value. This is not just a card show — it is a full-blown festival. Expect 250+ hobby shops and card dealers alongside autograph sessions with 300+ athletes and celebrities, exclusive Topps and Fanatics product releases, trade nights, and immersive sports experiences from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, and WWE.
For card collectors, the show floor at Fanatics Fest rivals The National in terms of dealer quality and inventory depth. The 2026 show features 25% more floor space than the inaugural event, with dedicated sections for vintage cards, modern hits, Pokemon/TCG, and memorabilia. The Javits Center location in Midtown Manhattan makes it easily accessible by train, subway, and air travel from anywhere in the Northeast.
Venue & Location Guide
Venue
Javits Center
655 W 34th Street, New York, NY 10001
Parking
Parking at the Javits Center garage costs $30-50/day. Street parking in Midtown Manhattan is extremely limited. Public transit is strongly recommended — take the 7 train to Hudson Yards or the A/C/E to 34th St-Penn Station and walk west. Rideshare drop-off is available on 34th Street.
Nearest Airport
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — 30 minutes. JFK International (JFK) — 45-60 minutes. Newark Liberty (EWR) — 30-40 minutes.
Nearby Hotels
- Marriott Marquis Times Square (walkable)
- The Westin New York at Times Square
- Courtyard by Marriott Manhattan/Midtown West
- Holiday Inn Manhattan-Financial District (budget option)
Nearby Restaurants
- Chelsea Market (food hall, 10-minute walk)
- Los Tacos No. 1 (Chelsea, legendary tacos)
- Gotham West Market (food hall near Javits)
- Shake Shack (multiple Midtown locations)
First-Timer Tips
- 1Buy tickets early — VIP and early access passes sell out weeks in advance
- 2Take the subway or train. Do not drive into Manhattan for this event
- 3Plan your autograph schedule in advance — major athletes like Tom Brady have separate ticketed sessions that sell out instantly
- 4The show floor is enormous — wear comfortable shoes and plan to spend an entire day
- 5Bring a backpack or bag for purchases but check the bag policy before arriving
- 6Trade nights are where the real collector-to-collector action happens — do not miss them
- 7Download the Fanatics Fest app for real-time schedules and floor maps
Frequently Asked Questions
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Find Upcoming Dates
Check Card Show Hub for the latest schedule, ticket info, and vendor lists.