Fanatics, the sports merchandising giant, is gearing up to score with its extensive menu of U.S. events, tossing in new locations and formats. The game plan stems largely from its upcoming fan fest in the Big Apple. On the other hand, Topps, the veteran sports card company, is springing many a surprise with a slew of engagements for sports card collectors during the Topps Industry Conference in Atlanta.
Fanatics declared that it’s all set to knock the ball out of the park with its flagship ‘FanaticsFest’ at the renowned New York’s Javits Center. Mark August 16-18 on your calendars; this event is set to be a veritable mecca of fandom, blending elements of culture and collecting like Yankees and home runs.
On the back of this major play, Fanatics is touring other cities as well. Make way for Orlando, FL, hosting its fan fest this winter from November 1-3. This Orlando jaunt will majorly focus on collectibles, but that’s not all. For those who prefer a smaller, cozy gathering, Fanatics is planning an intimate rendezvous at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on September 28-29. This sports soiree will likely feature autograph sessions with local sports celebrities.
Fanatics’ events are a cog in its larger wheel of strategies aimed at hosting a smorgasbord of large-scale gatherings, regional shows, venue-specific events at stadiums and team-ups with sports leagues during mega events. Though the specifics of these events remain shrouded in mystery, eager fans can expect detailed blasts from the company soon.
Switching gears, Topps isn’t one to sit on the bench. The renowned sports card company has an elaborate game plan for collectors. The highly acclaimed Trading Card Day makes a comeback on August 3. On this day, collectors can flock to hobby shops to get their hands on free exclusive packs. Also making a return line-up this fall is the MVP Buyback program, which allows collectors to trade their recent MLB MVP cards for store credit—a stellar double play for sports card enthusiasts.
Following the base-stealing-like success of last year’s Hobby Rip Night – which resulted in blitzing sales for 18% of the 409 participating stores – Topps is preparing to pitch the second edition of this popular event on September 14. Plus Topps is breaking out a new card of their own—an online event on December 14 called Hobby Break Night. This virtual gathering promises to be an exclusive dugout box, featuring live case, box, and pack openings with guest stints and giveaways—all right from the comfort of your home.
Fanatics, with its expanding repertoire of events, and Topps, with its refreshing and rejuvenating promotions, are looking to hit a grand slam, fancying a blend of fandom and collecting. By doing so, they are creating a field of dreams for sports enthusiasts and collectors, providing them with high-value experiences. As they continue to evolve these efforts, we can expect the sports-collecting universe to keep expanding and intensifying, winning much fandom applause along the way.
