Baseball card shows have long been a staple for collectors to buy, sell, and trade cards. After a couple years of disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 baseball card show season is ramping back up with events scheduled across the country throughout the year. With the hobby experiencing renewed interest, these shows provide a fun opportunity for collectors of all experience levels to immerse themselves in the baseball card community.
Some of the largest and most prominent baseball card shows in 2022 include the National Sports Collectors Convention in Atlantic City from August 3-7. Often referred to as “The National,” it is the granddaddy of all sports card conventions, attracting tens of thousands of attendees annually. Vendors from around the world will be on-hand, making it one of the best places to find rare and high-end cards. Another major event is the Chicago Sports Collectors Convention from June 16-18. As one of the largest Midwest shows, it draws collectors from across the region and typically features over 500 tables of vendors to browse through.
For West Coast collectors, two top options are the Los Angeles Sportscard Expo from March 25-27 and the Seattle Sports Card Show on August 6-7. Both multi-day events provide ample time to peruse vendors and make connections within the community. Another highly attended West Coast show is the Bay Area Sportscard Show in San Jose on May 21-22, offering an opportunity for Northern California collectors to trade, buy, and sell. Over in Texas, the Houston Sports Collectors Convention on October 15-16 and Dallas Sports Card & Memorabilia Show on November 11-13 are must-attend Lone Star State events.
For East Coast collectors, some regional favorites include the New York City Sports Card & Memorabilia Show from April 23-24, attracting collectors from the tri-state area. In New England, the Boston Card & Memorabilia Show on June 4-5 is a perfect regional option. Down South, the Atlanta Sports Collectors Show on September 17-18 and Tampa Bay Sports Card & Memorabilia Show on October 29-30 are ideal for collectors in those areas. No matter where you’re located, there are always local and regional shows within driving distance throughout the year.
While the larger national shows draw collectors from far and wide, smaller local card shows remain very popular as well. These intimate gatherings often have 30-100 tables and are perfect for newer collectors to get acquainted with the community in a lower-pressure environment. Many local card shops and hobby stores host recurring monthly shows, providing a regular opportunity to trade with other collectors in the area. Many larger comic book, gaming, and collectibles conventions now include dedicated sports card areas within their events.
In addition to buying, selling, and trading cards, these shows offer opportunities to connect with other collectors, learn more about the hobby from experienced dealers, and stay up-to-date on the latest releases and trends. Vendors have an array of cards from across all eras available at a range of price points. It’s not uncommon to find rare vintage gems or modern parallels and autographs at shows. For collectors hunting a specific player, attending shows greatly increases the chances of finding that elusive card to complete a collection.
The social aspect of these events is a big draw as well. Many long-lasting friendships in the hobby are formed through repeated interactions at local shows. It’s also fun to peruse other collectors’ boxes to see their collections and strategies. Whether a seasoned veteran or newcomer to the card collecting scene, baseball card shows provide a full immersive experience for anyone with a passion and curiosity for the hobby. With the schedule ramping back up in 2022 after pandemic disruptions, this year is shaping up to be a great one for attending shows and fully embracing baseball card culture.
