The titan of licensed sportswear and merchandise, Fanatics, is flexing its event-hosting muscles. Joined by Topps, the renowned trading card company, they are innovating ways to cater to the vast sports and collecting communities. This collaboration sets to offer a fresh blend of sports frenzy, fan culture, and the nuanced art of collecting.
Dominating the wave of events is Fanatics’ very own flagship fan fest, the ‘FanaticsFest’. Set to be staged in the heart of New York’s at Javits Center, FanaticsFest spans three days of jubilant fanfare from August 16-18. This event promises to be a venture into the vibrant fabric of fandom, a cultural cornucopia, and a haven for collectors. But the sporting festivities don’t end there. Fanatics has more up its sleeve!
As autumn leaves begin to fall in Florida, Fanatics will host an event in Orlando, offering a pandora’s box focusing more on collectibles from November 1-3. The cherry on top of this season’s events is a cozy gathering at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, slated for September 28-29. This event promises not only to warm hearts but also hands, with planned autograph sessions featuring local athletes.
These events mark a crucial part of Fanatics’ larger strategy roadmap, as the firm seeks to provide multifaceted platforms for sports lovers. The plan ranges from large-scale jamborees, regional shows, and venue-specific events at stadiums, to alliances with sports leagues during notable events like drafts. Hold your horses for more detailed announcements regarding these highly-anticipated events.
Parallel to this, Topps is gearing up with a slew of promotional affairs to keep collectors on their toes. Kicking off on August 3, collectors rejoice as ‘Trading Card Day’ graces hobby shops, offering exclusive packs as an absolute steal. If fans are willing to part with their treasures, the return of the MVP Buyback program this fall may just be their cup of tea. Trading in cards of recent MLB MVPs now banks you store credit.
Adding to this, following the smash success of last year’s ‘Hobby Rip Night’, which saw an astounding 18% record sales for over four hundred stores, Topps plans to launch its sophomore edition on September 14. Not missing a beat, Topps introduces a new shindig, ‘Hobby Break Night’, scheduled for December 14. This online fiesta will entice fans with live case, box, and pack openings, garnished by guest appearances and giveaways.
It seems both Fanatics and Topps have their bases covered. From Fanatics enhancing its event cohorts across the vast American landscape with fresh fan fests and collector-toned gatherings, to Topps revitalizing and adding a spark to collector promotions, the blend of sports fandom and souvenir collecting is being served in rewarding new courses. The strategic moves by these giants aim to provide enriching experiences that sports enthusiasts and collectors alike can savor, making every inning a home run. Indeed, this era offers the most riveting flavor of sports and collecting communities, converging the rush of the stadium with the thrill of the chase.
