A First at The National Sports Cards Convention in Chicago : Trace ’n Chase Debuts at the Whatnot Pavilion!

The Trace ’n Chase team was back in Rosemont, Chicago this summer for another edition of The National Sports Collectors Convention, the annual gathering that brings the global sports card and memorabilia community together under one roof.

This year’s National also marked a first for Trace ’n Chase: our debut booth at the Whatnot Pavilion.

Held July 29–August 2 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the 2026 National once again transformed Rosemont into the epicenter of the hobby, welcoming collectors, dealers, manufacturers, athletes, grading companies, and industry leaders from across the United States and around the world.
For Trace ’n Chase specifically, returning to The National was particularly meaningful. Following the launch of our Totowa, New Jersey flagship location, this year’s participation represented another important step in our continued expansion and involvement within the U.S. collecting community.

Our First-Ever Whatnot Pavilion Booth

Representing Trace ’n Chase, the booth brought together three key parts of our U.S. operation — Trace ’n Chase, RipHamilton Rips, and Packman — creating a dedicated space where collectors could connect with the brand, discover products, and experience the energy of live breaking.
The Whatnot Pavilion provided the perfect setting to showcase our growing presence in the U.S. hobby and connect with collectors both in person and through the fast-growing world of live commerce. From conversations with fellow collectors to live ripping, content, and community interaction, the booth remained a hub of activity throughout the show.

Where the Hobby Comes Together

The National is much more than a traditional card show. It is a place where virtually every corner of the hobby comes together — from modern and vintage trading cards to autographs, memorabilia, grading, authentication, breaking, and the latest products from the industry’s leading manufacturers.
The 2026 edition featured more than 600 dealers across approximately 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, creating one of the largest marketplaces and gathering points in the hobby. For the Trace ’n Chase team, the scale of the event provided an invaluable opportunity to experience the latest trends firsthand, connect with collectors, meet industry partners, and see where the hobby is heading next.

From Greece to the U.S.

Trace ’n Chase has attended The National as part of its long-term commitment to connecting the European and American collecting markets.
This year’s visit carried an added significance. With our Totowa location now firmly established, the team was able to approach The National not only as a European company visiting the world’s biggest hobby gathering, but as an increasingly active participant in the U.S. market.
The event provided another opportunity to strengthen relationships across the industry while continuing to build bridges between collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Discovering What’s Next

One of the most exciting aspects of The National is seeing the future of the hobby before it reaches the wider market. Throughout the show, the Trace ’n Chase team explored upcoming releases, new collecting trends, innovative products, and the latest developments across sports cards and memorabilia. From basketball and football to soccer and beyond, The National offered a snapshot of the incredible depth and diversity of today’s collecting landscape.

The Hobby Is About People

Perhaps the most valuable part of The National remains the people. Meeting passionate collectors, longtime industry figures, new hobby enthusiasts, and fellow businesses from around the world reinforces something we have believed since the beginning: the hobby is ultimately about community. Every conversation, trade, product reveal, and shared collecting story contributes to the culture that continues to make sports cards and memorabilia so special.

Continuing the Chase

Our return to Chicago is another chapter in Trace ’n Chase’s ongoing journey to grow the hobby across borders and create stronger connections between collectors, sports, and the industry.
From Thessaloniki to Totowa and from local community events to the world’s biggest collecting conventions, we remain committed to being by collectors, for collectors. The National may come around once a year, but the energy, ideas, and connections created there continue long after the show floor closes.

For Trace ’n Chase, having a presence at the Whatnot Pavilion represented another important milestone in our U.S. journey — bringing our “by collectors, for collectors”philosophy directly to one of the biggest gatherings in the hobby.

We’ll see you at the next one.

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