Two giants of athlete merchandising and collectibles, Fanatics and Topps, are pulling out all the stops to revolutionize fan experiences and collector engagement. Fanatics is broadening its horizons with a diverse array of nationwide events while Topps breathes new life into collector promotions.
Fanatics, geared up for expansion, is announcing a series of new destinations and formats to its U.S. events repertoire. The centrepiece of this expansion is fan fest at the heart of New York City. The flagship ‘FanaticsFest,’ scheduled at New York’s Javits Center from August 16-18, promises to be an exciting amalgamation of fandom, culture, and collecting.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Fast forward to November 1-3, Fanatics has plans set in stone for an event in Orlando, FL, with an emphasis on collectibles. Following this, there’s an intimate gathering at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on September 28-29. The Pittsburgh rendezvous is anticipated to house autograph sessions with local athletes sure to have fans vying for a personal memento.
These events illustrate Fanatics’ comprehensive strategy to encompass a variety of event scales. From regional shows to large-scale gatherings, venue-specific events at stadiums, and potential collaborations with sports leagues during significant events such as drafts, Fanatics anticipates delivering a rich blend of experiences. The details about these refreshing revamps are expected to keep fans on the edge of their seats as the company continues to unveil their plans.
On the flip side of this sports-centric coin, Topps has lined up a dynamic roster of activities for collectors. The Trading Card Day, affectionately celebrated on August 3, is making a grand comeback, offering free exclusive packs at hobby shops to hardcore enthusiasts. Adding more flavor to its seasonal promotions, the esteemed MVP Buyback program is slotted to return this fall. This program enables collectors to trade their cards featuring recent MLB MVPs for store credit.
Last year’s Hobby Rip Night was a smashing success, making the cash registers sing at 18% of the 409 participating stores. Topps is ready to ride the wave of enthusiasm as they gear up for its second edition on September 14. There’s a brand-new addition to the promo roster, Hobby Break Night, scheduled for December 14. This innovative online event is set to dazzle audiences featuring live case, box, and pack openings, spiced up with guest appearances and enticing giveaways.
As Fanatics beefs up its event offerings across the U.S., Topps is reimagining and introducing promotions to strike a chord with collectors. These efforts not only aim to combine passion-fueled fandom with the joy of collecting but also offer enriching experiences for sports enthusiasts and collectors, setting the stage for an exhilarating season for all followers of sports and collectibles.