The 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide!
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It’s Almost Time for Christmas Day — The 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention!
It’s almost time for Christmas Day — as known in the sports card world — the 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention . This year, we’re back at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. For first-time collectors, it may seem very intimidating, but I’m here to help with a guide of the do’s and don’ts to keep your experience an unforgettable one!
🏆 Tips and Tricks: Cash is Key! Most vendors will only take cash or charge extra for digital transactions. Bring lots of cash — and protect it!
Basics
Main Features and Must-Know Info
The big part of the NSCC is all the incredible cards and memorabilia on display! Whether it’s a Babe Ruth game-used jersey or Michael Jordan’s basketball shoes , there’s something to spark everyone’s interest. Make sure to carry plenty of cash as most vendors are cash-only!
Another fan-favorite part of the show is all the athlete and celebrity appearances throughout show week. Make sure to check out all the scheduled appearances during your days at the show, and grab your tickets now to skip the hassle!
🏆 Tips and Tricks: Plan out every day! Nothing’s worse than hopping on the plane and realizing you forgot something. This only comes once a year, so set your priorities straight and be ready to adapt your schedule as things get canceled or have long wait times.
Booth / Show Highlights
To make sure you hit all the important booths and get your wide range of giveaways, you’ll want to know all the big booth locations:
Topps / Fanatics : Booth 351 – Wrapper Redemption Program, Card Wall, and interactive events.
Dave and Adam’s : Booth 757 – Wide range of card products for manufacturer wrapper redemption programs, special sale items, and sell your unopened boxes and cards/mem for cash at up to 90% payout to spend at the convention!
Steel City Collectibles : Booth 345 – Wide range of all card products, special prices, memorabilia, and exclusive NSCC promotional items with purchase (Jesus Made RC)!
Panini : Booth 761 – Wrapper redemption program and limited products!
Upper Deck : Booth 333 – Wrapper Redemption program and limited products / memorabilia display.
PSA : Booths 1400–1500 – Instant grading with turnaround times within the show timeline at special prices.
Breaker Pavilion : Featuring all your favorite breakers ripping cards right in front of you! Meet the people from your phone in person — and they all have fun giveaways and merch for their fans!
Trade Nights!
A huge part of recent NSCC events is the Trade Nights! Check them out July 31st–August 2nd from 6–11 PM in the Collector’s Lounge after the show ends! They feature all your favorite breakers and influencers ready to mingle and trade with everyone.
Enjoy:
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Live breaks
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Brand experiences
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Giveaways and gifts
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Trading and learning opportunities
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Exclusive athlete appearances
It’s an awesome way to relax and cap off the ultimate collector experience.
(They are free of cost and require your NSCC ticket.)
🏆 Tips and Tricks: Explore! If you're in town for multiple days, make the most of Chicago! Visit Millennium Park, check out The Bean at Cloud Gate, or go up Willis (Sears) Tower. It’s nice to get some fresh air and take a card break!
Final Thoughts
With this information, you're geared up for an eventful and flaw-free week in Chicago! Every collector is hyped and ready to take on Rosemont and show them a convention!
If you ever feel lost or need help during the show, any collector would be more than happy to help. Now you're ready to take on the show with success and hit a banger for your collection!