The National Sports Collectors Convention Opens Tomorrow for Its Largest Show Yet
The 46th National Sports Collectors Convention opens Wednesday, July 29, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.
Running through Sunday, August 2, the 2026 National is being described by organizers as the largest trade show in the convention’s 46-year history. The show will occupy approximately 500,000 square feet of continuous floor space and feature more than 600 dealers.
Collectors will find vintage and modern sports cards, autographs, game-used memorabilia, unopened boxes, supplies and grading and authentication services. The convention will also include non-sports and trading card game collectibles, along with dealers looking to buy, sell and trade collections of different sizes.
Wednesday’s opening-day Sneak Peek will run from 2 PM to 8 PM, with VIP and early-entry guests admitted beginning at 1 PM. The show will then be open from 10 AM to 6 PM Thursday through Saturday and from 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday.
The National will once again feature a large autograph program with appearances by athletes and celebrities.
International participation is also expanding. A group of 50 dealer tables representing eight countries will bring overseas cards and collectibles to the show floor.
Collectors will have additional opportunities to trade after the main show closes. Official National Trade Nights will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 11 PM in a space covering more than 50,000 square feet. The events will include trading, live breaks, brand experiences and giveaways across categories including baseball, football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, Formula 1, vintage cards and non-sports collectibles.
The Live Streaming Pavilion is also returning in an expanded area. Organizers say the pavilion is expected to feature more than 200 breakers and thousands of hours of live card-breaking coverage from the convention.
General admission is $30 for any single day of the show, while children ages 12 and younger may enter free when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Five-day and VIP packages all show sold out at this point
The 46th National Sports Collectors Convention opens Wednesday at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and continues through August 2.