It’s about to get really intense in the world of sports fandom and collectibles. Two industry giants, Fanatics and Topps, have announced a series of major enhancements and introductions. Fanatics is expanding its events while Topps is introducing several new promotions for every collector’s delight.
In a not-so-subtle move to pique the interest of sports enthusiasts and collectors alike, Fanatics is adding a fresh sprinkle of fan fests and collector-focused gatherings to its US events. On the other hand, Topps is playing its cards right by unveiling renewed and fresh promotions.
Fanatics is brewing a steadily growing wave of anticipation among fans for their upcoming ‘FanaticsFest’ in New York’s Javits Center. Scheduled between August 16-18, the event promises to be a melting pot of fandom, culture, and collection. If you’re not from around New York or wish to catch more from Fanatics, well, good news! They have a couple more surprises up their sleeve. The company plans to host additional events in Orlando, Florida from November 1-3, which will bear a special focus on collectibles. Want to satisfy your sports craze in a more intimate setting? Then mark your calendars for September 28-29 for a rendezvous at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The event is expected to feature tan autograph sessions with local athletes.
The series of events mark a broader strategy from Fanatics to host an all-encompassing mix of large-scale gatherings, regional shows, venue-specific events at stadiums and collaborations with sports leagues during major events like drafts. Keep an eye out for more detailed announcements on these in the future.
Shifting our focus to the card-crazy landscape, Topps has planned several engaging activities for collectors. All you card collectors, rejoice! The Trading Card Day returns on August 3, offering free exclusive packs at selected hobby shops. Adding more joy to the collecting experience, the fan-favourite MVP Buyback program will be back this fall. This program allows collectors to hit an easy home run by exchanging their cards of recent MLB MVPs for store credit.
But that’s not all. Following the massive success of last year’s Hobby Rip Night, which sparked record sales for 18% of the 409 participating stores, Topps is going full throttle with its second edition scheduled on September 14. And the surprises don’t end here, folks. Topps has cooked up an entirely new initiative called the Hobby Break Night. Slated for December 14, this online event will feature live case, box, and pack openings. So brace yourself for a live-action spectacle with guest appearances and giveaways.
In a nutshell, Fanatics is pulling all stops to introduce a diverse range of event offerings across the U.S., while Topps is pumping adrenaline into the collecting landscape with renewed and exciting promotions. Together, they are working to blend fandom with collecting. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a thrilling journey through sports fandom and collecting, courtesy of Fanatics and Topps. The duo seems pretty much serious, putting their hearts, souls, and resources into creating cherishing fandom experiences you wouldn’t want to miss.
