Trace ’n Chase at Fanatics Fest NYC: Where Sports, Collecting & Fandom Collide!

From the biggest names in sports to the most passionate collectors, Fanatics Fest NYC once again brought the world of sports fandom together under one roof—and Trace ’n Chase was proud to be there.

Taking place July 16–19 at the Javits Center in New York City, the 2026 edition of Fanatics Fest coincided with the FIFA World Cup final weekend, creating a four-day celebration that brought sports, collectibles, entertainment and fan culture together on an unprecedented scale.

For Trace ’n Chase, attending Fanatics Fest was another important step in our journey in the U.S. market and an opportunity to experience firsthand the energy driving the world’s sports collectibles community.

A Celebration of Sports & Collecting

Fanatics Fest is built around the idea that being a sports fan goes far beyond watching the game.
Across the Javits Center, fans could explore immersive activations from major leagues and brands, meet athletes and celebrities, discover exclusive merchandise, take part in interactive experiences and, at the heart of the event, dive into the world of cards and collectibles.
The Collectors Zone featured more than 250 dealers, giving collectors an opportunity to buy, sell and trade while discovering everything from modern releases to rare cards and memorabilia. The event also featured Topps programming, live breaks, trade-night activity and experiences designed to bring collectors together. That combination of sports fandom and collecting is exactly where Trace ’n Chase belongs.

New York. The Heart of Sports Fandom.

Being in New York for Fanatics Fest also provided an opportunity to connect with the energy of one of the world’s most passionate sports markets. With athletes, legends, creators, collectors and fans coming together throughout the weekend, the event demonstrated the incredible scale of today’s sports culture—and the increasingly important role collectibles play within it.
From cards and memorabilia to autographs, exclusive products and fan experiences, Fanatics Fest showcased how collecting has evolved into a central part of sports fandom.
For Trace ’n Chase, being part of that environment offered another opportunity to connect with the hobby community, exchange ideas and stay close to the trends shaping the industry.

A Hobby That Keeps Growing

The 2026 edition also highlighted just how much the modern hobby has expanded. Fanatics Fest featured dedicated experiences spanning cards and collectibles, interactive sports activations, merchandise, entertainment and live programming. New additions such as the Fanatics Collect Card Combine were designed to introduce visitors to the fundamentals of buying, trading, grading and protecting cards, while the Topps Stage brought live breaks, pack rips and special guests directly to collectors.
For Trace ’n Chase, this broader ecosystem is particularly exciting. Our mission has always been to make sports collecting accessible, engaging and experiential—whether that happens at our stores, at major hobby events or through the communities we build around the hobby.

Trace ’n Chase in the U.S.

Our presence at Fanatics Fest comes as Trace ’n Chase continues to develop its footprint in the United States following the opening of our flagship location in Totowa, New Jersey.
From monthly Trade Nights and World Cup sticker swaps to live streaming, athlete appearances and community events, our U.S. operation is focused on building a destination where collectors can do more than simply shop—they can connect, trade, rip packs and share their passion for sports.
Fanatics Fest offered another opportunity to step into that wider community and experience the hobby from a truly global perspective.

By Collectors, For Collectors

For four days in New York, Fanatics Fest brought together the many sides of modern sports fandom—and Trace ’n Chase was proud to be part of it.
The event was a reminder of why we love this hobby: the cards, the memorabilia, the athletes, the stories, the friendships and, above all, the excitement of the chase.
As Trace ’n Chase continues to grow across Europe and the United States, we remain committed to being where sports and collecting come together.

New York was another stop on that journey. And we’re only getting started…

 

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