The National Announces 2026 Charitable Partners Supporting Veterans and Young Collectors

The National Sports Collectors Convention has announced its charitable partners for 2026, with this year’s program focused on supporting military families, honoring veterans and introducing younger generations to the collecting hobby.

The 46th National Sports Collectors Convention runs from July 29 through August 2 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. Organizers expect the 2026 event to be the largest in the show’s history.

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, The National is supporting Homes For Our Troops and Fisher House Foundation.

Homes For Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans. The homes are designed to help veterans regain independence and rebuild their lives.

Fisher House Foundation provides free lodging to military and veteran families while their loved ones receive treatment at military and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. The program allows families to remain together during periods of medical care.

The National is also working with the Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy as its local charitable partner and activation partner for the Youth Collector Clubs Initiative.

The initiative introduces young people to sports card collecting while using the hobby to teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, communication and career readiness.

Through partnerships with schools, educators, nonprofit groups and hobby leaders, the program is intended to help develop new collectors while providing skills that can be used outside the hobby.

“For nearly five decades, The National Sports Collectors Convention has brought together collectors, dealers, manufacturers, athletes, and fans from around the world,” the convention’s show managers said in the announcement.

They added that the 2026 charitable program is designed to strengthen communities, invest in future hobbyists and recognize those who have served the country.

The National began in 1980 and has grown into an annual gathering for collectors interested in trading cards, autographs, sports memorabilia and entertainment collectibles.

The 2026 convention continues through Sunday, August 2, in Rosemont.