Baseball and football cards have been popular collectibles for decades. Whether you’re looking to start your own collection or add to an existing one, finding baseball and football cards near you doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some of the top places to search for cards in your local area.

Card Shops – Dedicated card shops are still one of the best places to find new and vintage baseball and football cards near you. Most major metropolitan areas will have at least one shop specializing in trading cards. These stores buy, sell, and trade all types of cards. They typically have the largest selection of both common and rare finds. Prices may be higher than other options, but the selection and expertise make card shops worth a visit.

Local Sport Card Shows – Periodically throughout the year, local sports card shows will be held in convention centers, hotels, and other event spaces in many cities and towns. These shows bring together dozens of vendors selling thousands of individual cards as well as complete sets and collections. It’s a great opportunity to compare prices on items from many sellers in one location. Show schedules are often posted online.

Flea Markets and Antique Stores – Flea markets, antique malls, and local shops selling vintage items can turn up surprises when it comes to old baseball and football cards. Dealers may have tins or boxes filled with disorganized cards worth searching through to find gems mixed in with common issues. Prices tend to be low, so it’s worth the time spent digging. Bring a phone to research any rare finds on the spot.

Garage and Yard Sales – Don’t overlook neighborhood garage and yard sales when on the hunt for affordable vintage cards. Old cardboard collections often get discarded when families clean out childhood memorabilia. Sellers may not realize the value and will practically give cards away. It takes some effort to check multiple sales, but the potential rewards make it worthwhile.

Online Marketplaces – Websites like eBay and individual seller pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and blog sites offer a huge range of baseball and football cards available with a few clicks. This is extremely convenient but also competitive with many other buyers pursuing the same deals. Stick to reputable sellers and be aware of risks like fake or damaged merchandise.

Store Discount Bins – Major retail chains like Target and Walmart often keep a small selection of modern card packs in clearance bins near the front of the store. Root through these for steals on current year issues, sometimes found for a quarter apiece. Packs go fast, so check often. Grocery store checkout aisles also hold impulse buy cards occasionally.

Library and School Book Fairs – Don’t forget to check libraries and school book fairs, especially around the holidays. Older card collections sometimes get donated that are worth a look through. Librarians are also a good source for leads on local collectors who may be selling cards. Likewise, teachers may have boxes of donations they’re eager to pass along.

Once you find a source for cards near you, it’s important to carefully inspect anything of value. Make sure autographs and memorabilia match the player/item, check for damage or fakes, and compare to references online. Have a budget in mind and don’t overpay just because a seller says something is rare. With some searching, you’re sure to build an awesome baseball or football card collection close to home. Happy hunting!