
In the world of sports fandom and memorabilia, two companies are gearing up to give fans a new season full of exciting events and engaging promotions. Fanatics, the global leader in licensed sports merchandise, is expanding its roster of U.S. events with new destinations and styles infused into its lineup. Meanwhile, Topps, the iconic producer of trading cards and collectibles, is amplifying its promotions that are sure to draw the enthusiastic attention of avid collectors.
Among the highlights detailed at the recent Topps Industry Conference in Atlanta was the patiently awaited FanaticsFest, scheduled from August 16-18 at New York’s Javits Center. This flagship event is designed as a captivating blend of fandom, culture, and collecting. Fanatics has promised to offer an expansive scope of activities that merge aspects of popular culture with the thrill of sports collecting under one ginormous roof.
But this bustling event in the Big Apple is just the tip of the iceberg. Fanatics is offering fans a Florida fiesta in Orlando from November 1-3, where the sun-kissed city will stage a spectacular event with a sharper focus on collectibles. Moreover, Pittsburgh will host a more intimate event at PNC Park on September 28-29. This gathering promises to feature autograph sessions with a lineup of local athletes, offering a more ‘up close and personal’ experience for sports junkies.
This drive to host events is part of Fanatics’ overarching strategy to create a blend of large-scale gatherings, regional shows, venue-specific events at stadiums, and collaborations with major sports leagues during key events like drafts. Although specific details are yet to be unveiled, fans are eagerly anticipating what these events might entail.
While Fanatics is playing up its event game, Topps is pushing the envelope with its series of promotions aimed at engaging their collector community. A fan-favorite, Trading Card Day, is slated to return on August 3, with exclusive free packs up for grabs at hobby shops. Furthermore, the MVP Buyback program, an initiative which allows collectors to exchange cards showcasing recent MLB MVPs for store credit, is set to return this fall.
Following the incredible success of last year’s Hobby Rip Night — an event that saw record sales for 18% of the 409 participating stores, Topps has announced the launch of its second edition, happening on September 14. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. Topps is introducing a new initiative called Hobby Break Night, scheduled for December 14. This online event will see live case, box, and pack openings, sprinkled with guest appearances and a raft of giveaways.
To sum up, Fanatics and Topps are ramping up their efforts in order to better cater to sports enthusiasts and collectors. Fanatics is broadening its palette of events across the nation, introducing new fan fests and collector-focused gatherings to captivate sports lovers. Topps, on the other hand, is not only jazzing up its collector promotions but also introducing wholesome initiatives that keep the collector community involved and active. As big players in the sports and memorabilia industry surge forward with promising events and promotions, fans will certainly brace themselves for an entertaining ride. One thing is clear: Be it through lively fan fests or engaging promotions, the love of sports continues to bring fans together in unique and exciting ways.