Hold on to your hats, sports enthusiasts, because Fanatics Fest 2025 is gearing up to set New York City ablaze with excitement from June 20-22. Returning for its sophomore year to the iconic Javits Center, this festival is not just a gathering; it’s an electrifying convergence of sporting legends, ultra-rare trading cards, and jaw-dropping collectibles.
For three action-packed days, Fanatics Fest transforms concrete and steel into a veritable paradise for sports aficionados. The festival courts sports junkies from every corner, covering the whole gamut from pigskins to piledrivers. But for fans of America’s pastime—brace yourselves. The baseball-centric highlights could make even the most stoic die-hard fan shed a tear of joy.
The festival promises autographs and selfies with a pantheon of baseball deities, many of whom have deep-rooted connections to the Big Apple. On the guest roster are titans like Derek Jeter, Mike Piazza, Dwight Gooden, and Reggie Jackson, not to mention CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner—both fresh off their induction into the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.
But baseball isn’t the only game in town. A constellation of luminaries from across sports and the entertainment cosmos are set to descend upon NYC. The likes of LeBron James, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Kevin Durant will grace the venue, joined by icons from other arenas such as wrestling superstar John Cena and musician extraordinaire Travis Scott. As if that wasn’t enough, Kevin Hart will provide comic relief, and Kevin Costner might just make everyone wish they had cornfields and old baseball gloves on hand.
Card collectors, this is your nirvana. Fanatics Fest will spotlight their Topps brand with event-exclusive releases that even the most seasoned collectors would swoon over. Prepare your wallets and strategy books: On Friday, there’ll be a limited launch of the “Cactus Jack” series. For $500, you’ll muster the courage to nab a pack containing four cards, a potential gateway to some seriously high-stakes bragging rights.
Saturday and Sunday will unfurl the much-awaited Fanatics Fest-specific Topps Series 2 boxes, boasting NYC-tinged parallels. These boxes range from wallet-conscious $50 versions to more princely $300 editions, perfect for those who like to dream large.
But cards and autographs are just the tip of the iceberg. “Merch village,” a bustling hive of activity, will draw collectors and souvenir seekers like bees to honey. Vendors from all over will offer an eclectic mix of collectibles, with the allure of the deal—in scent and sound—pervading the air.
Returning this year, the “Museum of Greatness” doubles as both a treasure chest and time capsule. An assemblage boasting over $200 million in iconic sports memorabilia is poised to mesmerize. Marvel at relics tied to legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Shohei Ohtani. Amongst these is the pièce de résistance—a set of 50 Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards, including the Monalisa of patches, the million-dollar Paul Skenes card. Imagine, of the mere 347 known to exist, more than 50 of these gems will all be in one location—a spectacle if ever there was one.
Adding to the itinerary is the debut of Fanatics Games. A series of interactive challenges await, where you will test your mettle against professional athletes in competitions like Pitching Accuracy, vying for cold, hard cash prizes. Bring your A-game because these events not only require skill but also offer a chance to rub elbows with sports royalty.
The engagement doesn’t stop there. Throughout this jubilant fest, panels and live podcasts will resonate through the halls, ensuring that every nook and cranny of the center pulses with spirited discussions and shared wisdom. Fanatics Fest is more than a bazaar; it’s a symposium of sports culture where fans live, breathe, and speak their passion.
After drawing an impressive 70,000 fans in its debut season, 2025 is set to blow the previous numbers out of the water. If shrines to sports magic are your scene, this is not a date you want to miss.
Don’t let the opportunity slip through your fingers. Visit FanaticsFest.com for ticket information, a comprehensive schedule, and all the latest updates on what is slated to be an unforgettable foray into sports euphoria.
