Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 will be held this weekend at the Javits Center, and the biggest draw will likely be the all-new Fanatics Games competition.
Featuring some of the biggest athletes in the world, the challenge features professional athletes and celebrities taking on everyday fans in a chase for more than $2 million in cash and prizes.
Here’s everything you need to know about the three-day competition.
What are Fanatics Games?
The Fanatics Games is a competition that has professional athletes and celebrities facing off against regular fans in a series of skill-based challenges for prizes and cash.
When and where will the Fanatics Games take place?
Fanatics Games will take place over a three-day span during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at the Javits Center from June 20-22.
Who is participating?
A total of 50 athletes and celebrities are expected to face off against fans. Here are the celebrity participants announced so far by Fanatics:
LeBron James, Cody Rhodes, Jayden Daniels, Mailk Nabers, C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams, Cooper Flagg, JuJu Watkins, Michael Strahan, James Harden, Micah Parsons, Kevin Costner, Dwyane Wade, CeeDee Lamb, Alex Rodriguez, Druski, John Cena, Rhea Ripley, Derek Jeter, Joe Burrow, Karl-Anthony Towns, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, IShowSpeed, KSI, Kai Cenat, Justin Jefferson, Logan Paul, Kevin Durant, Victor Wembanyama, Kevin Hart, Tom Brady, Travis Scott and Jay-Z.
What are the challenges?
Fanatics Games will have a total of eight skill-based challenges with specific themes to each. The pros and fans will compete in each of these challenges during the event:
- QB skills (NFL)
- Around the World (NBA)
- Goal-scoring (FIFA)
- Pitching accuracy (MLB)
- Washing-dryer puck shooting (NHL)
- Superstar entrance (WWE)
- Striking challenge (UFC)
- Closest to the pin (Golf)
Participants will move through the challenges in pairs similar to golf but always compete individually. Fanatics estimates it will take each competitor about an hour to complete all eight challenges.
Each challenge will be overseen by a Fanatics Games official referee who will handle scoring and enforce rules.
How does the scoring system work?
Each participant will compete in eight challenges for a maximum of 100 points available for each. The best six scores will make up the final total with the lowest two dropped from consideration.
The maximum score is 600.
What are the prizes?
- First place: $1 million in cash
- Second place: 2025 Ferrari 296 GTB
- Third place: 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Gold Refractor (estimated value of $250,000)
If no fan places among the top three, the highest-scoring fan will receive $100,000 in cash.
The champion is planned to be announced Sunday around 3 p.m. ET. Winners don’t need to be present to claim prizes.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture. He was previously the Collectibles Editor at Sports Illustrated. You can follow him on X and Instagram @benmburrows.