2018 National Sports Collectors Convention Info

The National Sports Collectors Convention returns to Cleveland in early August as thousands of collectors join hundreds of dealers and service providers for five days of buying, selling and other hobby-related activities.

The event, which launched back in 1980, is still going strong, having outgrown its humble beginnings as a big hotel show.  This is the 39^th year for the National, which is currently on a Cleveland/Chicago/Atlantic City rotation.

Here’s a guide to the 2018 event.

When and Where

August 1-5 at the International Exposition (IX) Center, Cleveland, OH. The IX Center is a huge convention facility, not far from Hopkins International Airport and I-71.

Show Hours

With the exception of the first and last day, the show is generally open for eight hours with VIP admission tickets allowing a 30-minute head start.

• Wednesday, August 1- 2:30PM to 4PM (VIP Party)
• Wednesday, August 1 – 4PM to 8PM (Sneak Peek)
• Thursday, August 2 – 10AM to 6PM
• Friday, August 3 – 10AM to 6PM
• Saturday, August 4 – 10AM to 6PM
• Sunday, August 5 – 10AM to 5PM

Buy a VIP pass of any kind and you’ll get in 30 minutes early and an invitation to the Wednesday afternoon party in the IX Center ballroom where there will be autograph signings with former NBA great Calvin Murphy and former big leaguers Luis Tiant and Mike Hargrove along with free food and drink (be prepared—it’s crowded).

General Admission Tickets

You can save $3 on general admission tickets if you buy in advance (and save a little time, too). They’re $19 in advance and $22 at the show.  Those who buy VIP tickets will save $10 by buying ahead of time.

VIP Tickets

There are once again four levels of VIP admission that provide some perks if you’re willing to pay extra:

• VIP ($139 in advance)
• Super VIP ($199 in advance)
• All Access VIP ($259 in advance)
• All Access Super VIP ($309 in advance)

The benefits of a VIP package include admission for all five days of the show including the Wednesday Night Sneak Peek; a VIP Gift Package that includes trading cards from various manufacturers printed exclusively for the event, 12 selected free VIP autographs, early admission each day and use of the VIP lounge.

Super VIPs get a double Gift Package, autograph tickets to all 18 free VIP signers and space in the VIP parking lot closest to the entrance.

The All Access passes offer the same tangible benefits as the VIP packages but you’ll also be among the first in line for all  autograph guests during the five-day run of the show, get authentication line priority, five free TRISTAR authentications, a couple of photo opportunities with athletes and other benefits.  If you’re big on autographs, these can be a huge time saver. The National promoters offer only 350 All Access VIP and Super VIP passes.

Hotels

There are no hotels in close vicinity of the IX Center but the good news is that most located within a few miles of the show do provide regular free shuttle service to the facility and the airport.  Book through Conference Housing and you can get the show’s discounted rate (book now if you haven’t already as the closest hotels are already full). Of course, you can always book on your own.

Show Floor

The National Sports Collectors Convention is the year’s biggest event, bar none. Think of a couple of giant airplane hangars filled with dealers selling every kind of sports card and collectible you can imagine.  There will be over 600 tables (sold out) plus corporate booths where you’ll find grading and authentication companies, the card manufacturers, auction companies, etc.

The Mike Berkus Main Stage will offer various special events, interviews, contests and more throughout the show.

Grading and Authentication

If you have cards you’d like to submit for grading or if you buy some at the show you’d like to turn over, be prepared to wait a bit but submitting in person means you’ll have someone to help you if you need it.  The same goes for autographed memorabilia.  Submit early enough and pay the proper fees and you might be able to take your item(s) home with you.

Case Breaking

There will once again be a separate area for case breaking. If you’re in town Tuesday night and want to learn more about it, you can do so at a special event. Panini, Topps, Upper Deck, Onyx and other manufacturers will be doing free group breaks on stage – with spots in the breaks being given out on social media, live to attendees, and also by the individual case break operations.  The Main Stage will be host to case breaks throughout the show.  

Breakers will likely be offering special pricing and debuting new products, so even if you’re not able to attend, you can still (sort of) participate in what’s happening.

Autographs

Over 100 current and (mostly) former athletes, coaches and even a few actors will be making appearances.  Buy a VIP pass and you can score score some free autographs but the big names will, as always, require a per signature fee.  Prices vary greatly.  Expect to spend $50 and up for most notable names.  Bring your own item (again, anything other than a ball or photo will cost an additional amount) or find something at the show, but buying tickets in advance is strongly encouraged. 

A list of who’s signing when is below (times and guests are subject to some changes). You can find pricing information here.

** Free autograph guest signing on the show floor

*VIP Autograph Guest

WEDNESDAY 8/1

Tiant, Luis**         4:10 PM

Hargrove, Mike** 4:30 PM

Murphy, Calvin** 4:30 PM

Metcalf, Eric*     5:30 PM

Moore, Lenny     5:30 PM

Woods, Ickey*   5:30 PM

Brazile, Robert   6:00 PM

Hanson Brothers 6:00 PM

Kramer, Jerry      6:00 PM

Yary, Ron             6:00 PM

Anderson, Ken    6:30 PM

Stenerud, Jan      6:45 PM

THURSDAY 8/2

Bell, Bobby          10:45 AM

Russell, Andy      10:45 AM

Blount, Mel         11:00 AM

Carew, Rod         11:00 AM

Curtis, Isaac*      11:00 AM

Lanier, Willie      11:00 AM

Browner, Ross* 11:15 AM

Campbell, Earl    11:15 AM

Gilmore, Artis     11:15 AM

Barker, Len*       11:30 AM

Dawson, Dermontti         11:30 AM

Kelly, Jim             11:30 AM

Ham, Jack            11:45 AM

Harris, Franco     11:45 AM

Long, Howie       12:30 PM

Theismann, Joe  12:45 PM

Kosar, Bernie      1:00 PM

Lambert, Jack     1:00 PM

Levy, Marv          1:15 PM

Smith, Bruce       1:15 PM

Youngblood, Jack  1:30 PM

Guy, Ray              1:45 PM

Lindor, Francisco  2:00 PM

Wehrli, Roger     2:00 PM

White, Randy      2:00 PM

Greene, Joe        2:15 PM

Bettis, Jerome    2:30 PM

Cousineau, Tom* 2:30 PM

Marshall, Jim      2:30 PM

Thomas, Emmitt  2:30 PM

Brown, Willie      3:00 PM

Faulk, Marshall   3:00 PM

Sapp, Warren     3:00 PM

Cunningham, Randall       3:15 PM

Joiner, Charlie    3:30 PM

Largent, Steve    3:30 PM

Casper, Dave      4:00 PM

Jackson, Rickey  4:00 PM

Winslow, Kellen 4:00 PM

Woodson, Rod   4:00 PM

Culp, Curley        4:15 PM

FRIDAY 8/3

Craig, Jim            10:45 AM

Esposito, Phil      10:45 AM

Winfield, Dave   10:45 AM

Carlton, Steve    11:00 AM

Robinson, Frank 11:00 AM

Yount, Robin       11:00 AM

Dawson, Andre  11:15 AM

Dorsett, Tony     11:15 AM

Rose, Pete           11:15 AM

White, Charles* 11:15 AM

Kluber, Corey      11:30 AM

Bourque, Ray      12:00 PM

DeBerg, Steve*  12:00 PM

Hull, Brett            12:00 PM

Taylor, Lawrence 12:15 PM

Dickerson, Eric   12:30 PM

Gossage, Goose 12:30 PM

Smith, Ozzie        12:30 PM

Gibson, Bob        1:00 PM

Irvin, Michael     1:00 PM

Jones Jr., Roy     1:00 PM

Laettner, Christian 1:00 PM

Lynn, Fred           1:00 PM

Hernandez, Livan* 1:15 PM

Eckersley, Dennis 1:30 PM

Murray, Eddie     1:30 PM

Sanders, Deion   1:30 PM

Boggs, Wade      2:00 PM

Murphy, Dale      2:00 PM

Browning, Tom*  2:30 PM

Fingers, Rollie     2:30 PM

Rice, Jim              2:30 PM

Evans, Dwight    2:45 PM

Newsome, Ozzie 2:45 PM

Rodman, Dennis  2:45 PM

Perry, Gaylord    3:00 PM

Raines, Tim         3:00 PM

Wilkins, Dominique  3:45 PM

Eden, Barbara    4:00 PM

Wilkens, Lenny   4:00 PM

SATURDAY 8/4

George, Eddie    11:00 AM

Robinson, Brooks 11:00 AM

Clemens, Roger 11:30 AM

Jones, Randy*    11:30 AM

Pujols, Albert      11:30 AM

Jefferies, Gregg* 11:45 AM

Brown, Jim          12:00 PM

Ripken Jr., Cal     12:00 PM

Morris, Jack        12:30 PM

Sanders, Barry    12:30 PM

Thome, Jim         1:00 PM

Henderson, Rickey 1:15 PM

Scott, Charlie      1:15 PM

Trammell, Alan   1:15 PM

Jackson, Reggie 1:30 PM

Rijo, Jose*  2:00 PM

Robertson, Oscar  2:00 PM

Biggio, Craig       2:15 PM

Kaline, Al             2:15 PM

Thomas, Frank   2:30 PM

Cordova, Marty*  2:45 PM

Smith, Troy         2:45 PM

Alomar, Roberto 3:00 PM

Griffin, Archie     3:00 PM

Strawberry, Darryl  3:00 PM

Thomas, Joe       3:15 PM

Berenger, Tom   4:00 PM

Bernsen, Corbin 4:00 PM

Fratello, Mike     4:00 PM

Grace, Mark        4:00 PM

Lofton, Kenny     4:00 PM

SUNDAY 8/5

Griese, Bob         10:45 AM

Griffey Sr., Ken   10:45 AM

Jones, Walter     10:45 AM

Taylor, Jason      11:00 AM

Butkus, Dick        11:15 AM

Concepcion, Dave  11:15 AM

Helms, Tommy*  11:30 AM

Perez, Tony         11:45 AM

Santiago, Benito*  11:45 AM

Erving, Julius       12:00 PM

Lilly, Bob              12:00 PM

Bench, Johnny    12:15 PM

Morgan, Joe       12:15 PM

Muñoz, Anthony  12:30 PM

Tyson, Mike        12:30 PM

Bleier, Rocky      1:00 PM

Thomas, Thurman 1:00 PM

Reed, Andre        1:15 PM

Shell, Donnie      1:30 PM

Charboneau, Joe*  2:00 PM

Foster, George   2:00 PM

Ward, Hines        2:00 PM

Wagner, Mike    2:15 PM

Sims, Billy*          2:30 PM

Advice for Attendees

We’ve got some helpful tips for show goers here and here.

You can see all of our stories from the NSCC here –and be sure to follow us on social media for updates.

About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 35 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]