Fanatics Fest NYC 2025: Scenes from Javits Center

NEW YORK — Sports fans of all ages descended upon the Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan for Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 in huge numbers this weekend.

The full team from cllct was on the ground and covered all three days of the events, from the star-studded panels to the exclusive merchandise to the autograph sessions and historic memorabilia displays.

We also tracked the Fanatics Games, a competition that offered more than $1 million in prizes, and the fans more than held their own against the pros.

Here's our full recap of the event, capturing all the sights and sounds from the convention floor:

Day 3: Sunday, June 22

And we've got big breaking news!

Kevin Durant was nearing the end of a panel Sunday when news broke he had been traded to the Houston Rockets.

Fans began shouting to the stage, informing the 36-year-old superstar that he was headed to the fifth different team of his career.

And there was still the matter of the Fanatics Games, with Durant scheduled to compete in all eight events in the competition.

He started at the hockey slap shot, and things ... uh, didn't go that well.

We can forgive him if he was a bit distracted.

The football passing accuracy drill was a little more in Durant's wheelhouse.

A few minutes later, KD was looking for some Rockets merch ...

And then signing his signature shoes for fans.

Wedding day

Another autograph request not on our bingo card is the wedding dress one fan brought to Dennis Rodman on Sunday.

It's honestly easier for you to Google the background story than for us to explain it here.

Bigger than ever

Fanatics Fest 2025 sold out of tickets to Saturday's show following a packed event on Friday.

According to this trading card dealer, the interest and fan interactions so far show that the hobby is bigger than ever and rapidly expanding.

Vegemite autograph

Athletes and celebrities are asked to sign weird stuff all the time.

But a fan asking Rhea Ripley to sign a jar of Vegemite was definitely not on our bingo card.

For Jordon only

One dealer was spotted on Sunday with an autographed Bill Belichick card. The catch is that it isn't for sale.

Unless you're Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson.

Tatted up

Fanatics Fest has been better known for fans dressing up in costumes, but this "Home Alone" superfan deserved a shoutout too.

Day 2: Saturday, June 21

Record sale

Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris showed up to Fanatics Fest on Saturday hoping to buy a big card and he snagged the biggest Jayden Daniels out there

According to Fanatics, Harris purchased the Daniels Prizm Black 1/1 for $500,000 to set a new record for any Daniels card.

Chess not checkers

San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama showed up to Fanatics Fest on Saturday but he didn't want to play basketball.

Wembanyama is a well-known chess fan, so Fanatics let him post up to take on fans.

Hole-in-one

Victor Cruz had a great career in the NFL, but his most prized piece of memorabilia in his collection has nothing to do with football.

Here's the story behind it:

Burrow struggles

Joe Burrow is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today, but he struggled to hit a target with a baseball at Fanatics Fest on Saturday.

Good thing football has worked out for him.

LeBron arrives at Fanatics Fest

Of all the athletes and celebrities at Fanatics Fest, Tom Brady and LeBron James have appeared to be the biggest, with crowds of fans following each around the show.

James hosted his podcast, The Shop, at Fanatics Fest on Saturday.

Rodriguez pick-ups

Set to become a minority owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alex Rodriguez showed up to Fanatics Fest hoping to hunt for rookie cards of the franchise's best.

He ended up snagging key cards for Anthony Edwards and Kevin Garnett.

Livvy visits Skenes

Livvy Dunne stopped by the Dick's Sporting Goods booth on Friday to visit her boyfriend's Rookie Debut Patch Autograph at Fanatics Fest.

Dick's purchased the Paul Skenes RDPA in March for a record $1.11 million and has had the card on display at a Pittsburgh-area store.

Go Birds!

Philadelphia Eagles superfans Michael and Kim showed up to Fanatics Fest 2025 in style with the hope they could win the Fanatics costume contest.

Make-A-Wish meetup

Tom Brady met up with 12-year-old Axton Robertson on Friday at Fanatics Fest as part of a collaboration with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Brady meetup was one of three Make-A-Wish moments that were completed on Friday as part of a partnership with Fanatics.

Taking flight

One fan showed up to Fanatics Fest and brought a custom Dwight Howard jersey with a Superman cape attached to the back.

Howard completed his iconic Superman dunk during the 2009 NBA Slam Dunk contest. Despite the dunk, Howard was eventually defeated in the contest's final round by Nate Robinson.

Day 1: Friday, June 20

Helmet catch autograph

One fan at Fanatics Fest recreated the famous Super Bowl XLII "Helmet Catch" between Eli Manning and David Tyree and had Manning sign it during availability on Friday.

Nearly two decades later, the Tyree-Manning connection remains one of the most iconic plays in Super Bowl history.

Still holding that grudge

Tom Brady is certainly one of the most competitive athletes in sports history.

And despite his seven Super Bowl rings, there seems to be one rivalry that the GOAT can't seem to let go of.

As he went all-in with his WWE entrance at Fan Fest, Brady walked out to Cody Rhodes' theme song, spit on a New York Jets jersey and then tore apart an Eli Manning jersey.

Of course, Brady used that rivalry to his competitive advantage as the entrance was part of the Fanatics Games, and the Manning move is sure to have gained TB12 some extra points.

Eli got the last laugh, however — just as he did in his two Super Bowl meetings with Brady, as the former Giants QB surprised Brady with an attack from behind.

We also have to acknowledge Manning's creativity with his entrance as he later walked out to the music of "The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns.

Look out for ... the Grill Sergeant!

Brady and Manning will also need to look out for some random fans in the Fanatics Games competition.

Could the two QBs be taken down by ... the Grill Sergeant? Fan Mike Vivalo has a full strategy for how to compete with the pros — at least with his WWE walkout.

Owning the event

Brady was everywhere at the event Friday, and his Card Vault venture was literally at the center of the action in the collectors area.

For the Birds

What is the most interesting fan interaction you've ever had?

That question was posed at the "Franchise Faces" panel, and Eli Manning had a colorful answer.

Even the youngest fans in Philadelphia gave the former Giants quarterback quite the memorable reception.

Welcome to the NFL; We hate you!

Speaking of bad blood, few rivalries are more intense that the battle between the Bears and Packers.

Rookie QB Caleb Williams said he found that out quickly in his first NFL season.

It's up to you, New York!

The "Only in New York" panel united Yankee legends Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada and CC Sabathia on Friday afternoon.

The five former Bronx Bombers reminisced about their favorite World Series wins — and there were plenty to choose from — and shared stories about what it meant to play in the Big Apple and for ever-demanding owner George Steinbrenner.

The questions were often interrupted by chants and cheers from a very pro-Yankees crowd.

Co-moderator Spike Lee did draw some sideways glances when he recounted his favorite Fall Classic memory as watching the 1969 Miracle Mets claim the title in Queens. (And he was wearing all Yankees gear when he did it. Truly Amazin'.)

Sabathia brought the crowd back on theme when he recounted the Yanks' 2009 World Series win.

Spot the REAL Gronk!

Rob Gronkowski always makes a dramatic entrance at Fanatics Fest.

What's better than one Gronk entrance? How about a dozen guys dressed as Gronk? The legendary tight end rarely blends in, but he did so with this crowd.

Even Brady was challenged to find his former teammate in the Gronk gang.

Chasing down Charizard

When New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan isn't sacking quarterbacks, he's in pursuit of Pokémon cards.

Thanks, Alex!

Rodriguez was also one of several Yankees legends and current players in the Autograph Zone on Friday.

Skenes sighting

The card of the year is in the building!

The $1.1 million Paul Skenes 1/1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph card, which was purchased by Dick's Sporting Goods and put on display at its flagship location in Pittsburgh, has made the trip to the Big Apple.

The place to bee

Countless fans came clad in team jerseys, and these Pittsburgh fans definitely stood out with the Steelers' throwback "bumblebee" look.

You have arrived!

Fans were lined up bright and early, long before the doors opened at 10 a.m. ET.

The Museum of Greatness

Billed as the most valuable collection of sports memorabilia ever assembled, the Museum of Greatness features some of the hobby's most valuable cards and game-used memorabilia from of sports' greatest players.

The cllct team was there for the opening and got the first peak at all the grails on display.

GOAT sighting

Tom Brady, who will be competing in the Fanatics Games and featured on multiple panels, was in the house right as things kicked off.