What is the biggest sports card show in the US?

Two organizers make the claim. The National Sports Collectors Convention described its 2026 show as 500,000 square feet with more than 600 dealers, the largest in its 46-year history. The Dallas Card Show calls itself the largest sports card show in the U.S. and runs six times a year in Allen, Texas.

Do vendors accept credit cards at card shows?

It depends on the dealer. Payment options vary from table to table, so bring cash as a backup and ask how a dealer takes payment before you negotiate.

Can I trade my cards at these shows?

Yes. Trading with dealers and other collectors is a normal part of a card show. The Dallas Card Show, for example, lists a Trade Night on Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM that is open to everyone.

Are tickets cheaper if bought in advance?

It depends on the show. For the 2026 National, general admission was $25 in advance until June 30, 2026 and $30 after that. Check each organizer's ticket page for current pricing.

Can I get cards graded on-site?

Grading companies exhibit at the largest shows. The National's 2026 exhibitor list included PSA, SGC and CGC. Whether a company accepts submissions at a specific show varies, so check that company's own show announcement before you bring cards.

Top 5 Sports Card Shows in the United States

November 20, 2025 Richard Weiss

Last updated: October 6, 2026

Key Takeaways

The National Sports Collectors Convention returns to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, on July 28 to August 1, 2027.
The next Dallas Card Show is November 5 to 8, 2026 at the Marriott Watters Creek Convention Center in Allen, Texas. The organizer runs the show six times a year.
Two big shows are still to come in November 2026: the Arizona State Card Show in Phoenix (November 13 to 15) and the Chicago Sports Spectacular in Rosemont (November 20 to 22).
The West Coast Card Show, formerly the Burbank Card Show, has 2027 dates in Ontario and Anaheim, California.
Dates and prices here were read from each organizer's own site on October 6, 2026. Confirm on the organizer's site before you book travel.

Card show dates at a glance
The National
Dallas Card Show
West Coast Card Show
Arizona State Card Show
Chicago Sports Spectacular
Tips for attending
Table gear for vendors
Sources

Five of the biggest recurring sports card shows in the United States are The National, the Dallas Card Show, the West Coast Card Show, the Arizona State Card Show and the Chicago Sports Spectacular. The next one on the calendar is the Dallas Card Show on November 5 to 8, 2026.

Card Show Dates at a Glance

Every date below is confirmed on the organizer's own site as of October 6, 2026.

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Show	City and venue	Next confirmed dates	Organizer site
The National (NSCC)	Rosemont, IL. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center	July 28 to August 1, 2027	nsccshow.com
Dallas Card Show	Allen, TX. Marriott Watters Creek Convention Center	November 5 to 8, 2026	dallascardshow.com
West Coast Card Show	Ontario, CA. Ontario Convention Center	February 18 to 21, 2027	westcoastcardshow.com
Arizona State Card Show	Phoenix, AZ. Phoenix Convention Center	November 13 to 15, 2026	collectiblesoncollege.com
Chicago Sports Spectacular	Rosemont, IL. Donald E. Stephens Convention Center	November 20 to 22, 2026	chicagosportsspectacular.com

1. National Sports Collectors Convention (The National)

The National is the hobby's annual convention. The first one was held in 1980 at the Los Angeles Marriott Airport Hotel, and the next three editions are set for Rosemont, Illinois (2027), Detroit (2028) and Rosemont again (2029).

The 46th National ran July 29 to August 2, 2026 in Rosemont. The organizer described it as 500,000 square feet of continuous floor space with more than 600 dealers, and the largest trade show in the convention's 46-year history. Exhibitors listed for 2026 included card makers (Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, Leaf), grading companies (PSA, SGC, CGC) and auction houses (Heritage, Goldin). The autograph lineup is handled by Tri-Star Productions.

Next show: 47th National, July 28 to August 1, 2027, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL.
After that: Detroit, August 2 to 6, 2028 at Huntington Place, then Rosemont again on July 25 to 29, 2029.
2026 ticket prices for reference: general admission was $30 per day ($25 in advance until June 30, 2026), and VIP packages started at $199.99. 2027 prices were not posted when we checked.

2. Dallas Card Show

The Dallas Card Show is held six times a year in Allen, Texas, and the organizer calls it the largest sports card show in the U.S. The organizer's 2026 schedule also lists Dallas Card Show events in Chicago, New Jersey and Houston.

Next show: November 5 to 8, 2026, Marriott Watters Creek Convention Center, 777 Watters Creek Blvd, Allen, TX.
Admission: $15 per day for general admission, $35 for a four-day VIP pass and $90 for VIP All Access. Children 10 and under are free with a paying adult.
Trade Night: Saturday from 6 PM to 2 AM, open to everyone.
Parking: the organizer lists the hotel garage at typically $10 to $15 per day.

3. West Coast Card Show

The West Coast Card Show is the former Burbank Card Show. It now runs at the Ontario Convention Center and the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California, and the organizer says hundreds of dealers travel to it from across the country.

Next show (Sports Edition): February 18 to 21, 2027, Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, CA.
TCG Edition: May 14 to 16, 2027, Ontario Convention Center.
Summer show: July 15 to 18, 2027, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA.

4. Arizona State Card Show

The Arizona State Card Show is run by Collectibles on College, which started in April 2018 as a small monthly show and calls the State Show the largest sports collectibles show in Arizona. For the next edition, its 12th, the organizer advertises more than 600 tables and 80,000 square feet.

Next show: November 13 to 15, 2026, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ.
Hours: Friday 2 PM to 8 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM to 5 PM. Early admission tickets get in one hour early each day.

5. Chicago Sports Spectacular

The Chicago Sports Spectacular is held at the same Rosemont venue as The National and pairs its dealer floor with a long autograph guest list. The organizer lists more than 400 vendor tables. Guests announced for November 2026 include Brett Favre, Frank Thomas, Reggie Jackson and Eric Lindros.

Next show: November 20 to 22, 2026, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL.
Following show: March 19 to 21, 2027.
Admission: adults $15 on Friday and $20 per day on Saturday and Sunday. Children 10 and under are $10, and children 5 and under are free.
Parking: $20 per day across the street.

Tips for Attending a Card Show

Plan your targets. Check the dealer map and autograph schedule before you arrive.
Bring cash as a backup. Payment options vary by dealer, so ask before you negotiate.
Protect what you buy. Pack penny sleeves and toploaders from our card sleeves and toploaders collection.
Know your prices. Look up recent sold listings before you buy or trade. Our guide on how to find the value of your sports cards shows how.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.

Table Gear for Vendors

If you are setting up at a show, we make custom gear for your table:

Custom vinyl banner: 10 oz. scrim vinyl with heat-welded hems and grommets, in three sizes, for indoor or outdoor use.
Custom backdrop: polyester microfiber with an edge-to-edge print, in four sizes from 26 x 36 inches to 88 x 104 inches.
Custom card mats: 4 mm thick neoprene with an anti-slip backing and your logo, in three sizes.
Custom one-touch stickers: 80 stickers per order with your design.