The event and promotions landscapes have been revved up by two industry titans, Fanatics and Topps, with both companies gearing up to host an enticing schedule of events and initiatives tailored to cater to the needs of enthusiast collectors and sports fans alike.
Fanatics, as a renowned global leader in licensed sports merchandise, is turning their gears up a notch with an expanded catalog of U.S. events, designed to tap into the pulse of nationwide fandom. Among its new offerings is the much-awaited ‘FanaticsFest,’ scheduled for August 16-18 at New York’s bustling Javits Center. This flagship offering promises a blended brew of pop culture, fandom, and a collective thread, undeniably unique to Fanatics.
In an adrenaline-fueled announcement made during the Topps Industry Conference in Atlanta, Fanatics also revealed several more events peppered throughout the rest of the year. These include a focus on collectibles during a meet in Orlando, FL slated for November 1-3, and another intimate gathering set to unfold at Pittsburgh’s PNC Park on September 28-29. These events are expected to feature exciting autograph sessions with regional athletes.
These are not standalone initiatives. Fanatics’ ambition encompasses a grand vision of hosting an amalgamation of large-scale gatherings, regional shows, venue-specific events in stadiums, and tie-ups with sports leagues during major events like drafts. While detailed information about these upcoming attractions is yet to be released, early anticipation suggests fan enthusiasm is reaching fever pitch.
While Fanatics maps new territories, Topps is reinvigorating its collector strategy from the promotional end. Several attention-grabbing activities are lined up just for collectors. One of the highlights is the return of Trading Card Day on August 3, where stores will provide complimentary exclusive packs at hobby shops.
The engaging MVP Buyback program also marks its return this fall, which gives collectors the opportunity to trade in cards of recent Major League Baseball MVPs in exchange for store credit. Capitalizing on the runaway success of the inaugural Hobby Rip Night in 2021, which saw a record sales spike for over one-fifth of the participating stores, Topps also plans to roll out a second installment on September 14. Hobby Break Night is another innovative addition to the lineup, poised to roll out on December 14. This online event will burst to life with live case, box, and pack openings, peppered with guest appearances and grand giveaways.
Fanatics’ notion of broadening its event portfolio and Topps’ drive to inject more life into their collector promotions translate into a richer landscape for sports fans and collectors. They aim to marry fandom with collecting, brewing a potent blend that offers unique and enriching experiences that are bound to stir the hearts of sports devotees and collectors nationwide. The events and promotions announced by both Fanatics and Topps do not only amplify the existing buzz around sports and collecting but also ignite a surge of excitement that resoundingly echoes among their vast and loyal followers.
