The summer of 2025 is set to sizzle and it’s not just due to the rising temperatures. The real heat will emanate from the Javits Center as it plays host to the much-anticipated return of Fanatics Fest—an event that transforms New York City into a vibrant Mecca for sports enthusiasts and collectors alike from June 20 to June 22. Coming back for its sophomore year, the event is upping the ante with a stellar lineup of superstar athletes, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and exclusive releases that will have every sports aficionado’s heart racing and wallet ready for action.
A little something for everyone is an understatement at Fanatics Fest 2025. Whether your passion is the gridiron, the diamond, or the ring, this three-day extravaganza brings together elements of every sport imaginable—and then some. For those with baseball in their blood, this festival is a batting practice dream session with opportunities to snag autographs and capture memory-making photo ops with a constellation of baseball legends. The lineup reads like a Greatest Hits album of the sport: Derek Jeter, Mike Piazza, Dwight Gooden, and Reggie Jackson, to name a few, are slated to grace the event alongside our most recent inductees to the Hall of Fame, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner.
Not to be left unsung, legends Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, and Mike Schmidt will also make appearances. Plus, adding a modern twist are the current Yankees, Max Fried and Jazz Chisholm Jr., who will bring present-day flair to this nostalgic paradise.
But Fanatics Fest is not merely fixated on baseball. The guest list stretches its tentacles into the realms of other sports and beyond into entertainment. Basketball titans LeBron James and Kevin Durant will be there to dazzle, while football’s revered figures, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, are prepared to arm attendees with more memorable interactions than one can count on one’s fingers. For those seeking a touch of the theatrical, the festival reels in wrestling icon John Cena, while Henrik Lundqvist represents ice hockey’s chilly thrill. Wherever there’s a superstar athlete, there’s a ticket to this gathering.
Performances extend from the sports scene to center stage with cultural icons like Travis Scott, Kevin Hart, and the illustrious albeit fictional baseball-royalty-loving Kevin Costner making appearances, promising to enhance the celebratory mesh of sports and entertainment.
True collectors will feel at home among Fanatics’ exclusive drops and the rare memorabilia displayed at the festival. The much-esteemed Topps brand is in the spotlight this year, churning out three exclusive event card releases. Friday heralds the arrival of “Cactus Jack” high-end boxes, which will have devoted collectors licking their lips at $500 each, enticing them with two packs containing four cards each. Saturday and Sunday usher in exclusive Topps Series 2 boxes graced with an NYC-themed twist. For $300 a pop, hobbyists can wrap their fingers around hobby boxes, while budget-conscious attendees can score value boxes for a mere $50.
The “merch village” sits at the heart of Fanatics Fest—an emporium of endless booths brimming with every imaginable card and collectible, a veritable bazaar for the hobbyist robber barons of modern sports culture.
Among the flagship attractions making a triumphant encore is the illustrious “Museum of Greatness.” Stepping into this hallowed hall is a pilgrimage for any true aficionado, showcasing a armory of iconic sports memorabilia that collectively boasts a staggering $200 million valuation. Here, one can stand mere inches from legendary items once wielded by titans like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Shohei Ohtani. The pièce de résistance? A spectacular shrine of over 50 Topps Rookie Debut Patch cards, including the eye-watering million-dollar patch of Paul Skenes, capturing awe and envy in equal measure.
New in 2025 is a thrilling initiative called Fanatics Games, a hands-on playground of interactive fan challenges that pit attendees against their athletic idols in contests like Pitching Accuracy. The stakes are sky-high, with cash prizes dangling tantalizingly in the balance.
However, Fanatics Fest is far more than a glorified market for memorabilia. It’s a dynamic celebration of sports and culture, weaving panels, live podcasts, and immersive experiences into its multifaceted tapestry, creating an event shaped by the currents of passion and tradition.
With last year’s festival drawing a staggering crowd of 70,000 fans to the Javits Center, expectations are set even higher for this edition. With its promise of yet more electrifying memories and unrivaled experiences, Fanatics Fest 2025 firmly stakes its claim as this summer’s can’t-miss event on every sports fan’s calendar. For tickets, a comprehensive schedule, and detailed event information, FanaticsFest.com awaits your visit.
