Industry behemoth, Fanatics is setting course to colour the U.S. events landscape like never before. The company revealed its novel and distinguished event lineup, looking to touch more states and conjure new event formats. Their imminent fan fest in the city that never sleeps (New York) holds the promise of much fanfare.
The narrative unfolded at the Topps Industry Conference in the peach state’s capital, Atlanta. The masterplan revolves around the marquee ‘FanaticsFest’ to be celebrated in all its glory at the renowned Javits Center in New York. This grand festivity is scheduled to spark off on August 16, stoking the fires of fandom, culture, and collecting right till August 18. But that’s not where the Fanatics’ event story ends.
The picturesque city of Orlando, FL nestling between Lake Toho, Lake Hart, and Lake Whippoorwill, is set to host another Fanatics event from November 1 through 3. This GameCon will be draped more in a collectibles theme. Then, the Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium – PNC Park in Pittsburgh, will lend its scenic vista for a cozy Fanatics gathering on September 28 and 29. Further sweetening the deal, the event is expected to host local athletes for autograph signing sessions.
Fanatics’ vision of a nationwide celebration encompasses a mix of massive gatherings, local shows, venue-specific events at renowned stadiums, and collaborations with sports leagues for major events, including drafts. The industry stalwarts plan to unfurl more specifics regarding such events in future bulletins.
On a parallel note, Topps is setting the promotional stage on fire with enthralling activities targeting collectors. Come August 3, and collectors have a red-letter day to look forward to – The Trading Card Day. This day ushers ardent collectors into hobby shops and showers them with free exclusive packs. The fun doesn’t stop here as the MVP Buyback program marks its return this fall. The program brings collector cards of recent MLB MVPs into play, enabling their exchange for store credit.
Inspired by last year’s hobby-ripper of an event – Hobby Rip Night, which scripted record sales for 80 of the 409 participating stores (notching a sweet 18% gain), Topps is set to reload its second edition on September 14. Not forgetting the virtual realm, Topps has earmarked December 14 for a digital feast – the Hobby Break Night. The online revelry will feature live case, box, and pack openings, seasoned with guest appearances and a smattering of giveaways.
Amidst the waves of excitement and anticipation, both Fanatics and Topps continue their industry-leading efforts in offering enriching experiences for sports enthusiasts and collectors. They aim to blend fandom with collecting, thriving on the intersection of passion and hobby. The path laid out by them endeavors to alter the landscape of fan experiences, transforming sports lovers into collectors and vice versa. The fusion of these domains presents a dramatically thrilling playfield, where sports buffs find their fandom amplified and collectors find their passion rewarded.
