What The National Sports Collectors Convention does

The National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC), operating under the DBA "The National," is a privately held event management company founded in 1980 and headquartered in North Babylon, New York. It produces a single annual five-day trade show that is the country's most established gathering for the sports card and memorabilia industry. The 46th edition will run July 29 to August 2, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, occupying 500,000 square feet of continuous exhibit space and featuring 600+ dealers, on-site authentication from every major grader (PSA, JSA, SGC, BGS, CGC), corporate booths from every major card manufacturer and auction house, an Autograph Pavilion managed in partnership with Tristar Productions with 100+ athletes, evening Trade Nights across 50,000+ square feet, and a Case Break Pavilion for live-streaming card breakers. A multi-year rotation extends the event through Chicago in 2027 and 2029 and Detroit in 2028.

NSCC's product portfolio is structured around tiered ticketing: General Admission at $25 advance / $30 standard, a $149.99 5-Day Early Entry Pass, a $199.99 Basic VIP Package, and a $329.99 All-Access VIP Package (the latter two marked sold out for 2026). Revenue is generated through a combination of consumer ticket sales, dealer booth rentals, corporate exhibitor fees with priority access for returning sponsors, transaction-based revenue from Tristar-managed autograph sales, and ancillary revenue from on-site authentication services and merchandise sold through Kamena. The organization is staffed by a small team (1-10 employees) and outsources logistics across a partnership network that includes Tristar Productions (talent), Conference Housing (20-year official housing bureau), Ludex (interactive map and VIP lounge), POSTNET (shipping), and Delta/United (airline discounts).

The business model is fundamentally event-driven and consumer-facing, with go-to-market executed through direct ticket sales on nsccshow.com, social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube), email newsletters, and earned media via einpresswire press releases. Recent strategic emphasis includes the February 2026 partnership with Sports Cards Nonsense Media Network to launch the 'National Stories' documentary series and the Youth Collector Clubs Initiative, explicitly targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha collectors and positioning the convention within a global collectibles market projected to exceed $200 billion by 2034.

Name

The National Sports Collectors Convention

Legal name

National Sports Collectors Convention

Website

https://nsccshow.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Sports Collectors Convention is a private event management company that produces the country's largest annual sports card and memorabilia trade show, drawing 100,000+ collectors and 600+ dealers to a 500,000-square-foot venue with tiered ticketing, autograph signings, on-site authentication, and evening Trade Nights.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Collectibles Trade Show Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Events & Match Tickets (THAJAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Collectibles Marketplace & Auction Platforms (CRAMAOAI), Sports Trading Cards Retail (CRALAGAA)

Keywords

• Sports collectibles convention
• Trade show management
• Sports memorabilia events
• Collector trade shows
• Autograph conventions

Headquarters

HQ city

North Babylon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales - General Admission: Single-day general admission tickets sold to individual collectors for entry to the convention. Advance pricing available until June 30, 2026 at $25, increasing to $30 from July 1, 2026 onward. Children 12 and under enter free with a paying adult.
2. VIP Package Sales: Multi-tier VIP packages including 5-Day Early Entry Pass ($149.99), Basic VIP Package ($199.99), and All-Access VIP Package ($329.99). Higher tiers include early entry, exclusive gifts, autograph tickets, VIP lounge access, free parking, and priority in autograph lines.
3. Dealer Booth Rental: Revenue from 600+ dealer exhibitors who pay for booth space at the annual convention. Dealers include sports card dealers, memorabilia sellers, and various hobby-related vendors.
4. Corporate Exhibitor Space: Revenue from corporate exhibitors including card manufacturers (Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, Leaf, Fanatics), grading/authentication services (PSA, JSA, SGC, BGS), auction houses (Heritage Auctions, Goldin, Pristine), and application creators. Returning sponsors receive priority booth selection.
5. Authentication Services On-Site: On-site authentication and grading services provided by JSA ($18 At-Show Authentication Special), Beckett ($10 Show Signer Special), PSA, and CGC. These services are offered to attendees for autograph and card authentication during the event.
6. Autograph Tickets (via Tristar Productions): Revenue generated through Tristar Productions from the sale of autograph tickets for athlete signings. The 46th National features 34 initial star athlete signers including Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman, and Ric Flair, with lineups exceeding 100 athletes throughout the weekend.
7. Parking Fees: On-site parking at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center at $20 per vehicle. This is operated by the convention center.
8. Shipping Services (via POSTNET): Daily shipping and printing services provided by POSTNET at booth location 3129, offering UPS, FedEx, and DHL shipping along with printing services for dealers, corporates, and attendees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) organizes and produces an annual five-day sports card and memorabilia trade show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. The 46th edition runs July 29 - August 2, 2026 and occupies 500,000 square feet of exhibit space featuring 600+ dealers, all major card manufacturers, grading/authentication services (PSA, JSA, SGC, BGS, CGC), auction houses, and athlete autograph signings managed through Tristar Productions. Revenue is generated through tiered consumer ticket sales (General Admission, 5-Day Early Entry, Basic VIP, All-Access VIP), dealer booth rentals, and corporate exhibitor/sponsorship space.

Product overview

The National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) is an annual multi-day trade show event — not a software platform — offering a unified portfolio of event-based products. The core offering is the National Sports Collectors Convention itself, a five-day sports card and memorabilia show spanning 500,000+ sq ft with 600+ dealers. This core event is supplemented by tiered ticketed experiences: General Admission (single-day entry at $25–$30), a 5-Day Early Entry Pass ($149.99), a Basic VIP Package ($199.99) with gift packages and 12 free autograph signers, and an All-Access VIP Package ($329.99) adding parking and 18 autograph tickets. Additional named offerings include the Autograph Pavilion (managed with Tristar Productions), National Trade Nights/Collectors Lounge (evening trading across 50,000+ sq ft), the VIP Party, the NSCC Case Break Pavilion for live streaming card breaks, Official National Merchandise (branded goods via Kamena Outdoor), POSTNET Shipping Services, and a Ludex-designed Interactive Map for attendee navigation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) Annual Show Five-day annual sports card and memorabilia trade show occupying 500,000 square feet of exhibit space with 600+ dealers, all major card manufacturers, grading and authentication services, auction houses, and athlete autograph signings managed through Tristar Productions. Open to individual collectors and hobbyists as the country's premier showcase in the collectibles industry.
• National Trade Nights / Collectors Lounge After-hours trading experience providing 50,000+ square feet of trading tables, live card breaks, brand experiences, and exclusive gifts across three nights. Free entry with VIP, 5-Day Early Entry, Dealer, Corporate, or Show Admission wristband. Targeted at collectors and breakers who want extended engagement beyond standard show hours.
• VIP Party Exclusive daytime VIP-only event with refreshments, lunch, live card breaks, athlete engagements, panels, and VIP-exclusive signings held in the Ludex VIP Lounge before convention doors open to general attendees. Reserved for VIP ticket holders.
• Autograph Pavilion Dedicated pavilion offering meet-and-greet opportunities with athletes, celebrities, and Hall of Famers for photo ops and signature requests. Operated in partnership with Tristar Productions; autograph tickets sold through Tristar's website. Lineups typically exceed 100 athletes across football, baseball, basketball, boxing, and wrestling throughout the weekend.
• NSCC Case Break Pavilion Dedicated show floor area where card-breaking streamers and breakers host live box and case breaks, selling spots to virtual and in-person attendees. Features participation from prominent breakers including Card Collector 2, Mint Ink, and Waxstar.
• Official National Merchandise Official branded merchandise for the Chicago 2026 National including T-shirts, hats, patches, and pins, produced by clothing sponsor Kamena Outdoor and sold online in limited quantities.
• Dealer and Corporate Exhibitor Booth Rental Booth space rental at the annual convention for the 600+ dealers and corporate exhibitors who participate, including card manufacturers, grading and authentication services, auction houses, and application creators. Returning sponsors receive priority booth selection. Open via dealer and corporate registration processes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 collectors attended in 2025, marking third consecutive year of record attendance
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Sports Cards Nonsense Media NetworkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 February 2026Partnership to launch multiple content series including 'National Stories' documentary series and amplification of the Youth Collector Clubs Initiative focused on financial literacy. The partnership aims to engage younger collectors (Gen Z and Gen Alpha) and create educational content about the hobby.
• TRISTAR ProductionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRISTAR Productions serves as the official talent partner for the NSCC, coordinating athlete autograph signings. They announce and manage the autograph lineups, with 34 star athletes initially announced for the 46th National including Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman, and Ric Flair. Tristar also handles ticket sales for autograph experiences through their website. The partnership provides priority access for All-Access VIP holders to Tristar Authentication line.
• LudexsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLudex, the top-rated trading card scanner app, designed the official Interactive Map for the 2026 National. The map was thoughtfully designed to help attendees navigate the 500,000+ sq ft venue. Ludex VIP lounge access is included in VIP packages.
• POSTNETsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPOSTNET is contracted to provide daily shipping and printing services for dealers, corporates, and attendees at booth 3129. Services include UPS, FedEx, and DHL shipping along with printing needs.
• Conference HousingsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConference Housing is the Official Housing Bureau of The National Sports Collectors Convention for the past 20 years. They provide discounted room rates across 30+ hotels with flexible change policies, no pre-payment for room and tax, and lenient cancellation policies.
• Delta Air LinessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial airline partner offering discounted flights using meeting event code NY4FF. Discounts available through online booking or by calling 1.800.328.1111 referencing the event code.
• United AirlinessupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial airline partner offering discounted flights using code ZRG4400729. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles when using the discount code.
• KamenasupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Clothing Sponsor of the Chicago 2026 National. Sells official merchandise including T-Shirts, Hats, Patches, and Pins through their online store (kamenaoutdoor.com/product-category/nscc/).
• Corporate Sponsors (Card Manufacturers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor card manufacturers including Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, Leaf, Fanatics, Wild Card, and Vee Friends serve as corporate sponsors and exhibitors. These partners showcase products and engage directly with the collector base at the annual event.
• Corporate Sponsors (Grading/Authentication Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor grading and authentication services including PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), JSA (James Spence Authentication), SGC (Sports Card Guaranty), BGS (Beckett's Grading Services), CGC (Certified Guaranty Company), MBA (Mike Baker Authenticated), and BBCE (Baseball Card Exchange) participate as corporate exhibitors providing on-site services.
• Corporate Sponsors (Auction Houses)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuction houses including Heritage Auctions, Goldin Auctions, Pristine Auction, Iconic Auctions, eBay, and PWCC participate as corporate exhibitors showcasing inventory and engaging with collectors.
• Corporate Sponsors (Application Creators)supportingTechnology or IntegrationApplication creators including Ludex, ALT, Sports Card Investors, and Courtyard.io participate as corporate exhibitors, showcasing trading card scanning and portfolio management applications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PWCC Marketplace: PWCC is a leading online sports card and memorabilia marketplace and frequent NSCC exhibitor. Comparable because it serves the same buyer/seller base year-round and competes for the trading and authentication services that NSCC vendors provide.
• Heritage Auctions: Heritage Auctions is a major auctioneer for sports memorabilia and rare cards, a corporate exhibitor at NSCC. Comparable because it serves the same premium collector segment and channels inventory through both online auctions and live events that overlap with NSCC's dealer/vendor mix.
• Goldin Auctions: Goldin is a leading sports collectibles auction house that participates as a corporate exhibitor at NSCC. It is comparable as it serves the same collector base, sources inventory through estate sales and dealers, and competes for the high-end memorabilia and trading card market that NSCC aggregates annually.
• Industry Summit (sports card industry trade show): Industry Summit is the leading B2B trade event for the sports card and collectibles industry, attended by manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. It directly serves the same industry ecosystem as NSCC, though with a B2B rather than consumer focus.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Comic-Con International: SDCC is the largest fan convention in North America, sharing NSCC's model of a multi-day ticketed event with tiered VIP passes, exclusive merchandise, autograph signings, and 100,000+ attendees. While focused on pop culture rather than sports collectibles, it is the closest analogue for scale, monetization tiers, and partner-driven activations.
• Fanatics Collect: Fanatics operates a vertically integrated sports collectibles platform encompassing card manufacturing, trading, and authentication. Comparable because it is both an NSCC corporate exhibitor and a competitor for the same collector spend, blending physical and digital distribution.
• ReedPop (New York Comic Con): ReedPop operates New York Comic Con and other major fan conventions globally. Comparable in operating large-scale hobbyist events with premium ticketing, exhibitor booth rentals, and corporate sponsorship revenue streams similar to NSCC's model.

Others

• Tristar Productions: Tristar Productions is the official talent partner for NSCC, managing athlete autograph signings and selling autograph tickets. Comparable because it operates within the same event ecosystem and shares revenue economics, while also running its own autograph-driven events that overlap with NSCC's value proposition.

Emerging players

• Beckett Media: Beckett provides card grading (BGS), authentication, and price guides for the sports card hobby, and is a NSCC exhibitor with on-site authentication specials. Comparable because it monetizes the same collector base through grading fees and media, overlapping with NSCC's authentication and dealer ecosystem.

Regional players

• Card Industry Trade Shows (regional card shows): Regional sports card shows operated across the US (e.g., the Chicago Sun-Times Show, TriStar show events) operate on the same trade show model with dealer booth rentals and meet-the-athlete signings. They compete for dealers and attendees in their geographies but lack NSCC's national scale and corporate sponsor lineup.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nsccshow
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCj97etIevh7Xtal4hBYVP5g
• Facebookfacebook.com/nsccshow
• Instagraminstagram.com/nsccshow/?hl=en
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nsccshow

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Sports Collectors Convention