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You are here: Home / Business/Industry News / Sports Memorabilia Industry News / I-X Center, Scheduled to Host 2022 NSCC, Will Close

I-X Center, Scheduled to Host 2022 NSCC, Will Close

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This year’s event was scuttled because of COVID-19.  Now, the site of the 2022 National Sports Collectors Convention appears to be in a state of uncertainty as well.

The International Exposition (I-X) Center in Cleveland announced Wednesday that it would be closing permanently at the end of this year.  The giant convention facility has hosted seven previous NSCC shows, the last in 2018, and is on the schedule as the host facility for the 2022 event.

National Sports Collectors Convention 2018 Cleveland show floor IX Center NSCC
The 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention was held at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

Like most convention facilities, the I-X Center has been unable to host any large events since March due to COVID-19.  

“The global pandemic has decimated the event industry as well as many other businesses and has ultimately led to this decision,” Marketing Director Claire Anter stated in a news release.

The I-X Center has begun informing promoters of future events, including the NSCC, of its plans to close.  NSCC officials were told on Wednesday.

“We will begin planning for a change in sites immediately,” the NSCC stated. 

However, there were glimmers of hope Wednesday afternoon that the city might be able to keep the facility in operation.

Occupying over two million square feet on land adjacent to Hopkins International Airport, the I-X Center is owned by the city of Cleveland and managed by the I-X Center Corporation.  It’s been hosting large events since 1985.  The first NSCC held at the I-X Center was in 1997.  It’s known for the large indoor ferris wheel operates in the middle of the show floor.

Fox 8 News in Cleveland reported that employees were told of the closing earlier this week. 

This year’s National had been scheduled for the Atlantic City (NJ) Convention Center in late July/early August.  It was initially postponed until December but then canceled earlier this summer.  The 2021 event is currently scheduled for the Stephens Cenvention Center in Rosemont from July 28-August 1, provided restrictions on public gatherings will be lifted by then.  The 2023 National is also scheduled to be held in Chicago.

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]