The Tri-State Area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin has long been a hotbed for baseball card collectors and traders. Nestled on the Mississippi River at the border of these three states lies the city of Dubuque, Iowa, which has developed into a hub for the hobby in the region. For decades, collecting shows catering to both casual fans and serious investors have been held in Dubuque, drawing collectors from a wide radius.
One of the longest-running and most prestigious shows is the Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, hosted each spring and fall at the Grand River Center. First established in the 1990s, the Dubuque Classic has grown into a major Midwest event that now spans two full days each season. Vendors come from across the Midwest, South, and beyond to set up tables and sell everything from vintage tobacco cards to complete modern sets. Show promoters estimate attendance has averaged 1,200-1,500 collectors per edition in recent years.
Local organizers credit the central location of Dubuque near the Illinois-Wisconsin borders as a major factor in the success of the Dubuque Classic and other shows. Being situated roughly halfway between the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and the Quad Cities allows collectors within a few hours’ drive to make it a destination trip. The city has adequate meeting space at the Grand River Center to host large numbers of vendors and shoppers under one roof. This convenience is appealing compared to shows that may be spread out over multiple hotels.
Beyond just the twice-annual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the local hobby scene remains active year-round. Multiple card shops in the area serve as the hub for collectors to trade, buy, and sell. Arguably the best-known is Sports Cards Plus, located near the intersection of Rhomberg Avenue and John F. Kennedy Road. Opened in the 1990s, Sports Cards Plus hosts weekly trading events that draw 50-100 collectors of all ages, as well as monthly regional TCG Player Championship Qualifiers. Owner Cory Niehaus has witnessed the sport’s rise in prominence and strives to create a welcoming environment. “It’s about more than the cards or games, it’s about the sense of community. We aim to preserve that,” he stated.
Niehaus and other local businesses play a prominent role in the planning of shows as well. Alongside advertising in hobby publications, word of mouth within the tight-knit Tri-State card scene has been pivotal in drawing crowds. When collecting experienced a downturn in popularity during the late 2000s, Niehaus credited local organizers for not giving up on the Dubuque shows and keeping interest alive until renewed momentum emerged. Today, many attending collectors of all ages fondly recall discovering the hobby through shops like Sports Cards Plus or early trips to shows as kids. This fosters loyalty and brings fans back time and again to trade with familiar faces.
Beyond baseball cards shows, Dubuque has shown signs of reviving in-person play for trading card and miniatures games as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Wyvern Gaming, located near Kennedy Mall, hosts events several nights per week where customers can battle in Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG, and Warhammer. With a comfortable play space and enthusiastic community, Wyvern aims to recreate the social aspect that was lost online. “The human connection is so important to why people enjoy these hobbies. Being able to high-five your friends after a cool play or get advice face-to-face can’t be replaced,” GM Ryan Wear stated.
On the competitive circuit, Dubuque has produced notable players over the years as well. Professional Magic: The Gathering player Jacob Wilson cut his teeth playing at local hobby shops and making the long drives to Grand Prix-caliber tournaments in nearby cities as a teen. He has since gone on to achieve a #1 ranking on Magic Online and over $100,000 in career winnings playing the game full-time. Meanwhile, Dubuque native Michael Schutte has become a household name in baseball card collecting circles, amassing seven-figure collections and frequently appearing as an expert on Discovery Channel programs.
Schutte remains actively involved in the local scene when time allows, often stopping by hobby shops or shows. He fondly remembers early experiences at the Green Meadows Mall card shop as a formative time learning the basic of the industry. “These local communities are so crucial for new collectors in discovering their passions and meeting people with like interests. I’m grateful for all the kind folks back in Dubuque who made collecting such a fun journey for me early on. It’s great to see the shows and shops there still bringing that experience to new generations,” Schutte said.
All signs point to the thriving Tri-State baseball card and gaming communities centering around Dubuque remaining sustainable well into the future. With multi-generational families still actively involved, dedicated local organizers, and iconic destinations like the biannual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the hub shows no signs of slowing down even as interests come and go within the broader industry. For collectors near and far, the friendly faces and welcoming atmosphere found in Dubuque shops and events promise to keep the hobby social and personal for years to come.
