In the world where pop culture collides deliciously with athletic fervor, Fanatics Fest 2025 returns to New York City with the kind of fanfare reserved for ticker tape parades. From June 20–22, the Javits Center will transform into a veritable sports utopia for those whose hearts beat to the rhythm of iconic game moments and who worship at the altar of athletic legends.
Whether your passion is baseball or basketball, gridiron glory or wrestling mania, this second edition of Fanatics Fest promises an intoxicating blend of nostalgia, fandom, and exclusive releases—like a roaring crowd meeting a home run. Last year’s event was a resounding success, and the 2025 chapter vows to crank things up to eleven.
This sprawling three-day extravaganza is set to be a potpourri of every sport imaginable, with baseball taking center stage, particularly given the formidable lineup of player appearances that read like a Hall of Fame roll call. We’re talking the likes of Derek Jeter and Mike Piazza, whose very names evoke imagery of pinstriped greatness and Mets magic. Add Dwight Gooden, Reggie Jackson, and the latest Hall of Fame additions, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner to the mix, and you’ve got a genuine Bronx cheer inducing lineup. For fans of both yesteryears and today, appearances by Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Mike Schmidt, and current Yankees stars Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr. extend the spectrum of star-studded memories.
But it isn’t just baseball that’s serving up epic moments. Sports aficionados can look forward to shaking hands or snagging selfies with superstars spanning the gambit from LeBron James and Tom Brady to wrestling icon John Cena. Even Kevin Hart and Kevin Costner, who have navigated their respective courts and fields of entertainment, join a galaxy of stars including Peyton Manning, Kevin Durant, Henrik Lundqvist, and music sensation Travis Scott.
For those whose collecting passion rivals their sports enthusiasm, here’s where it gets truly exhilarating. Fanatics’ Topps brand will shine throughout the event via three exclusive card releases, harking appeal for any serious collector. Imagine the treasure that is the “Cactus Jack” limited-edition boxes, slated to release on Friday, each priced at $500 and delivering never-before-seen cards to the hands of a few lucky collectors.
Dedicated hobbyists will don their cleats on Saturday and Sunday for Fanatics Fest-exclusive Topps Series 2 boxes, decked in NYC-themed parallels offering something for both premium and everyday collectors at prices of $300 for hobby boxes and $50 for value boxes.
Need a break from the shopping frenzies? The “merch village,” a sprawling marketplace of memorabilia, will be a haven where fans can add trinkets and treasures to their personal archives. One mainstay making its triumphant return is the “Museum of Greatness,” a heady tribute that’s equal parts nostalgia and reverence. Here’s your chance to amble through an artful array of over $200 million of sports relics, including legendary pieces from the likes of Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle. The crown jewel? The display of over 50 Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards, among which sits the glittering million-dollar Paul Skenes patch. Considering only 347 such patches exist, seeing more than 50 at a singular location is an audacious display sure to dazzle any collector’s eye.
Newcomers to this year’s festivities will find Fanatics Games—a series of interactive challenges designed to pit attendees against pro athletes in a variety of skill-based contests. Regardless if you’re dreaming of striking out a batter or simply hitting the target in Pitching Accuracy, you can try your hand at these games, with cash prizes sweetening the deal for champions.
Beyond the allure of autographs and collectibles, the event promises thought-provoking panels, live podcasts, and a slew of engaging displays that saturate the entire weekend. It’s not just a shopper’s paradise; it’s an immersion into sports culture—the kind that could inspire poetry from even the staunchest of critics.
Last year, this delightful melange of sport and spectacle attracted a whopping 70,000 fans. As anticipation swells like a crescendo and ticket sales catch fire, expectations are high for an even larger turnout in 2025.
Eager fans looking to immerse themselves in this tribute to athleticism and entertainment should mark their calendars and prepare for a weekend where memories are made, icons are celebrated, and every collector’s dream might just come true. For tickets, a rundown of scheduled activities, and event details cherishing the best of the sports world, there’s one online destination you can’t afford to overlook: FanaticsFest.com.
