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 39th 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 n
ot 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.
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