It’s impossible to be a sports fan without seeing a Fanatics product. After all, the company is a licensed sportswear retailer for almost every league imaginable: MLB, MLS, NBA, NCAA, NFL, NHL, NASCAR, Formula 1, WWE and more.
Now, in an effort to give fans a complete experience in the industry they dominate, Fanatics announced Thursday that it will host “Fanatics Fest,” a three-day ticketed event filled with activations, athletes and more, at the Javits Center in Manhattan from April 16th to 20th 18th of August.
Fans can meet and interact with their current and former favorite athletes including Tom Brady, Derek Jeter and Peyton Manning. There will also be merchandise and product drops, live podcasts and other “tailored content,” as well as the promise of some “big announcements” in the world of esports, according to a company statement.
CEO of Fanatics and co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, Michael Rubin. Photo by Michael Reaves | Getty Images
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Fanatics began as a sporting goods retailer in 1995 and has since grown into a global giant in retail, media and more thanks to serial entrepreneur and owner Michael Rubin.
In 2011, Rubin bought Fanatics and merged it with his e-commerce platform GSI Commerce before selling both together to eBay for $2.4 billion.
However, eBay only wanted to take over the trading business and agreed to sell Fanatics back to Rubin for $330 million.
The company is now worth an estimated $31 billion as of December 2023.
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“Sports fans deserve a place to come together, celebrate their passions and nurture new passions, and Fanatics Fest NYC aims to do just that,” said Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events. “Unlike any other event in the world of sports fandom, Fanatics Fest NYC will sit at the intersection of sports, culture, entertainment and collecting, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome fans to be a part of what’s coming a year-round calendar of premium live experiences.”
Fanatics Fest also features an on-site “trading pit” for collecting, trading and training sports cards, as well as some of the rarest and most sought-after cards and memorabilia in the world.
Tickets are available via the event’s official website. Prices range from $30 for a one-day child pass, $50 for an adult one-day pass, $65 for a three-day child pass, $130 for an adult three-day pass, and $400 for one three-day VIP pass.