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Fanatics Fest NYC to return in 2025 with bigger show, more big stars

Fanatics’ inaugural Fanatics Fest NYC show was so successful this year that Fanatics is planning an even bigger and better show in 2025.
By SCD Staff
DEC 3, 2024
Credit: Amy Ellis/Fanatics

The inaugural Fanatics Fest event in New York City was so successful, Fanatics has planned an even bigger sports festival for 2025.

Fanatics Fest NYC, the immersive, interactive festival for sports fans and collectors and some of the biggest names in sports, is scheduled for June 20–22, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The multi-day event, which transformed New York City into the epicenter of fandom, collecting and culture, will feature even more preeminent athletes, sports leagues, teams and sports and hobby brands.

Tom Brady greets a young fan at Fanatics Fest NYC. Fanatics

The inaugural event in August hosted more than 70,000 fans across three days. After strong turnout and positive fan reviews and social buzz, the 2025 event will be even bigger and better.

The 2025 event will feature more show-floor space; an expanded schedule of live, on-site programming, panels and discussions; larger superstores and autograph zones; a wider array of exclusive collabs and products; more space for league and brand activations; and a larger trading card and collectibles exhibit.

The 2024 show featured more than 300 athletes and celebrities. Next year’s event will boast a roster of more than 500 athletes, artists, creators and entertainers, with many of the most popular attendees from last year making a return visit.

Boxing legend Mike Tyson and Jake Paul at Fanatics Fest NYC ahead of their upcoming fight. Fanatics

A trailer for Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 was created by Bolded, the branded division of OBB Media, which will capture and showcase the top moments from the festival.

“Seeing the pure joy, excitement and enthusiasm from all the fans who attended our first event last summer was absolutely incredible and I could not be more excited to bring Fanatics Fest back to New York City this June,” Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said. “We’re going bigger and better next year, adding hundreds of athletes and celebrities to the roster, blowing out the event space to add many more interactive experiences from the top leagues and teams, creating more opportunities for fans and collectors to meet their favorite athletes, more exclusive product drops and overall taking the entire event to a new level. June can’t come fast enough!”

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin with fans at the first Fanatics Fest NYC. Amy Ellis/Fanatics

From Dec. 5–8, fans who attended Fanatics Fest this year will be eligible to purchase tickets for the 2025 event during the first exclusive presale, prior to the general public.

The interactive festival will offer sports fans and collectors access to exclusive apparel drops and collectibles products only available on-site during the event; interactive experiences with sports leagues and teams; star-studded panels, autograph sessions and meet-and-greets; surprise moments; live, on-site programming; and trading card areas where collectors can buy, sell and trade with dealers and other collectors.

“The inaugural Fanatics Fest NYC delivered on our vision to create a unique, first-of-its-kind space that brought together fans from all backgrounds to celebrate their passions across sports, culture and collecting,” said Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events. “The FoMo [fear of missing out] was real, and we’re committed to taking everything fans loved about year one and making it bigger and better, while also taking the great feedback we received to heart and improving select areas.”

Former NFL wide receiver Dante Hall signs autographs at the NFL pavilion during Fanatics Fest NYC. Clemente Lisi

A second presale will run from Dec. 9-12, and the larger public sale will begin on Dec. 13. More information is available at FanaticsFest.com.

SCD StaffAuthor