As the vibrant and bustling streets of New York City prepare to welcome the summer, the city has another reason to shine in June 2025. Sports fanatics, collectors, and celebrity watchers will converge upon the iconic Javits Center from June 20 to 22 for Fanatics Fest 2025, a sprawling ode to the world of sports and collectibles that promises to be bigger, bolder, and even more exhilarating in its second year in the city that never sleeps.
Fanatics Fest has firmly established itself as a must-attend event for sports enthusiasts, blending the excitement of seeing your favorite sports icons up close with the thrill of hunting down rare collectibles. This year, the festival boasts an impressive lineup of appearances from legendary sports figures across the spectrum.
Baseball fans, in particular, will find plenty of reasons to rejoice. Among the headliners are some of the most revered names in the game, many with deep New York connections. Attendees can look forward to autograph signings and meet-and-greets with legends like Derek Jeter and Reggie Jackson, who need no introduction to the city’s baseball faithful. Joining them are Mike Piazza, Dwight Gooden, and the latest Hall of Famers, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner, to name just a few. The lineup promises a blend of nostalgia and current thrills with figures like Yankees’ Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr. adding a contemporary touch.
However, Fanatics Fest is not just about baseball. The event smartly incorporates luminaries from various sports, ensuring an eclectic mix that appeals broadly. The guest roster reads like a who’s who of sports legends and entertainment personalities. Expect to see basketball icons LeBron James and Kevin Durant, gridiron greats Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, wrestling powerhouse John Cena, hockey legend Henrik Lundqvist, and even entertainers like Travis Scott, Kevin Hart, and Kevin Costner.
The festival is not merely limited to celebrity sightings and autograph hunting. It’s a paradise for collectors, rich with opportunities to add unique pieces to their treasure troves. This year, Fanatics is amplifying its partnership with Topps, unveiling three exclusive card releases just for the event. Friday will see the launch of the “Cactus Jack” high-end boxes, sure to be a hot commodity at $500 a piece. These boxes are the stuff of dreams for any card collector, each containing two packs with four cards each that may quickly become coveted highlights of any collection.
Furthermore, the weekend will be punctuated with the release of event-exclusive Topps Series 2 boxes, peppered with NYC-themed parallels. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re looking to splurge on a $300 hobby box or snagging bite-sized excitement with a $50 value box.
The “merch village,” the festival equivalent of a collector’s candy shop, promises an astounding array of booths, each selling a diverse assortment of cards and memorabilia that’s sure to delight. Yet, not all treasures are for sale—some are there simply to wow. The return of the “Museum of Greatness” is sure to capture imaginations, with its jaw-dropping array of over $200 million worth of sports artifacts. Imagine standing inches from history with items tied to immortals like Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle, or gaping at the rare and valuable Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards, including the million-dollar Paul Skenes patch.
But Fanatics Fest is not just a passive experience; it thrives on engagement and interactivity. New this year, Fanatics Games challenges attendees with interactive activities like Pitching Accuracy, where fans can test their prowess against the pros—and pockets. These challenges add a competitive twist and promise enticing cash rewards for those who excel.
Fans craving intellectual engagement can indulge in panels and lively discussions, while live podcasts offer fresh perspectives on the rich tapestry of sports culture. It’s an event designed to celebrate everything that makes sports a globally cherished phenomenon.
The inaugural event witnessed attendance of 70,000 eager enthusiasts, and the anticipation suggests the 2025 edition might well surpass this milestone, affirming Fanatics Fest as an unmissable highlight on the sporting calendar.
For those planning their pilgrimage to this mecca of sports fandom, it’s time to mark calendars and schedule itineraries. For tickets, detailed schedules, and a complete rundown of what to expect, head to FanaticsFest.com. Whether you’re in it for the autographs, the collectibles, or the electric atmosphere, Fanatics Fest 2025 promises memories that sports enthusiasts will hold dear long after the closing day.
