Ahead of the 46th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, Shane Winn, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, spoke with our award-winning host and reporter, Kelsey Nicole Nelson, on a “Listen In With KNN” exclusive about the event and the current state of the industry.
The National Sports Collectors Convention is the largest event of its kind, and it brings together collectors, vendors, and fans from across the country to buy, sell, and trade sports memorabilia. In recent years, the industry has seen rapid growth, with estimates valuing the market at $33 billion in 2025 and projecting it to reach $271 billion by 2034.
“We set records last year in terms of attendance, and that was the second year in a row that we had double-digit percentage growth in ticket sales.” Said Winn.
Much of the growth in a once-dwindling industry came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when sports fans were in search of community while stuck at home. Today, the event still sees record attendance and continues to expand into new areas of collecting; this year’s convention reflects both the scale of the industry and its growing cultural relevance.
“We’re going to be focusing on some sports that are a little more popular outside of the United States,” said Winn.
This year’s event will feature over 150 new vendors and is expanding beyond just sports memorabilia to collectible items like Pokémon cards and more. While the convention has long attracted dedicated sports card collectors, a new wave of attendees is reshaping the landscape, with appearances from MLB legends like Cal Ripken Jr., Mariano Rivera, Ozzie Smith, and Kurt Warner, helping draw in both longtime collectors and newer fans alike.
“We’re finding a lot of people who are sports fans are getting into the hobby because they’re connecting with people and celebrities who are really interested in the hobby itself,” Winn added, highlighting how social media stars like AJ Dillon have introduced broader audiences to trading cards and memorabilia. Platforms like eBay have further fueled this growth, allowing collectors to buy, sell, and trade items even when they can’t attend in person.
“You’ll be up close and personal. You can bring an item in, or you can buy an item at the event with that individual’s name and number on it, and go right up close and personal with them, right up to the table where they’re signing.” This year will feature signings by athletes like Mike Tyson, Joe Montana and more.
Beyond the excitement for seasoned collectors, though, the NSCC is emphasizing outreach initiatives to connect with younger generations. Through partnerships with local nonprofits and organizations like Curtis Granderson’s Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy, children are introduced to concepts such as negotiation, portfolio building, and community engagement through card trading.
“We give them a curriculum on card trading that teaches them these lessons, negotiation skills, community building, portfolio building,” Winn explained.
For those ready to experience the event firsthand, tickets are available here. General admission starts at $25 per day, with options for a five-day early entry pass at $149.99 and a VIP package at $199, which grants early access to VIP events and 12 autographed signers.
Whether it’s scoring a long-sought autograph, discovering a rare collectible, or introducing kids to the hobby, the event will offer an experience that resonates across generations.
