A wave of excitement is about to crash over the U.S., as Fanatics has plans for expanding its event repertoire. Simultaneously, Topps is looking to shake things up with a fresh take on its promotional endeavors, all in a bid to more effectively blend sports fandom with the rich sphere of collecting.
Fanatics, the global leader in sports merchandise, announced a smorgasbord of events — from mammoth gatherings to intimate sports memorabilia meetups — during the recent Topps Industry Conference held in Atlanta. Among these is the much-anticipated ‘FanaticsFest’ slated to take place at the legendary Javits Center in New York City. Scheduled for August 16 – 18, this event boldly promises to offer an eclectic fusion of fandom, culture, and collecting that could ignite a collector’s paradise in the heart of the Big Apple.
But we must not forget the magic that smaller, regional affairs bring. There’s something irreplaceably charming about them, and Fanatics recognizes this too. Come November 1 – 3, Fanatics will turn the collector’s spotlight onto Orlando, Florida, where the event will take a keen focus on collectibles. There’s also a more intimate gathering on the radar at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park for September 28 – 29, where it’s hinted that autograph hunting fans can look forward to rubbing shoulders with local athletes.
And that’s not all. Fanatics has bravely ambit its plans to host more large-scale gatherings, regional showcases, and venue-specific events at sports stadiums nationwide. Plus, the company seeks further collaborations with sports leagues during key events such as drafts. And as is the nature of suspense, more detailed plans surrounding these events will be unraveled with time.
Meanwhile, Topps is all set not to be left in the dust. The sport trading cards giant has a line-up of collector-engaging activities to build anticipation. The Trading Card Day is making a grand comeback on August 3, where hobby shops will shower collectors with free exclusive packs. On the horizon for the fall season is the revival of the MVP Buyback program, which will allow trading card enthusiasts to swap their recent MLB MVP cards for store credits.
It was just last year that the Hobby Rip Night event chalked up record-breaking sales for 18% of 409 participating stores. Naturally, Topps has bookmarked September 14 to roll out the second edition of what seems to be a tradition in the making. And, for the first time ever, they plan on hosting the Hobby Break Night, an online extravaganza of live case, box, and pack openings set for December 14. This event will be fuelled by its lineup of guest appearances and giveaways.
In summary, both Fanatics and Topps are diligently innovating their strategies to provide richer experiences for the sports enthusiast and the collector. By infusing their events and promotions with elements of fandom and collecting, these industry titans are eager to strengthen their relationship with their dedicated followers, creating a symbiotic environment where fans meet collectibles and vice versa. And it’s these ventures that remind us why the world of fandom is not just about passion, but also about the thrill of the collect, the chase of memorabilia, and a community all unto itself.
