Fanatics Announces Return of Fanatics Fest to New York City in 2025

Some fun news emerging for the parent company one of our best sports betting sites. 

Fanatics has that it will return with a second edition of its Fanatics Fest event, which ran for the first time in August. The 2025 event will occur from June 20-22 at the Javits Center in New York. It will include special events featuring collectibles, celebrities, and brands, all coordinated by Fanatics.

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin said, “Seeing the pure joy, excitement and enthusiasm from all the fans who attended our first event last summer was absolutely incredible and I could not be more excited to bring Fanatics Fest back to New York City this June. We’re going bigger and better next year, adding hundreds of athletes and celebrities to the roster, blowing out the event space to add many more interactive experiences from the top leagues and teams, creating more opportunities for fans and collectors to meet their favorite athletes, more exclusive product drops and overall taking the entire event to a new level. June can’t come fast enough!”

Anyone who attended Fanatics Fest 2024 will get exclusive access to a pre-sale held between Dec. 5-8, while sales for everyone else start on December 13.

Agenda for Fanatics Fest 2025

While Fanatics Fest 2024 had more than 300 athletes attend, with more exhibition space, Fanatics Fest 2025 is expected to include more than 500 athletes, more events, and more collectible exhibitions. It's a step up for a company looking to grow, including the New York sports betting space.

Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, commented, “The inaugural Fanatics Fest NYC delivered on our vision to create a unique, first-of-its-kind space that brought together fans from all backgrounds to celebrate their passions across sports, culture and collecting. The ‘FoMO’ was real, and we’re committed to taking everything fans loved about year one and making it bigger and better, while also taking the great feedback we received to heart and improving select areas.”  

Details on what will be available are thin on the ground, although Fanatics has released a video trailer for the event. The website lists activities such as autograph and photo opportunities, celebrity and athlete appearances, and panels and podcasts. Additionally, fans should be able to browse a range of cards and collectibles while enjoying brand and league activation events. 

An improved Fanatics Sportsbook product should boost Fanatics Fest 2025, with opportunities for tie-ins throughout the event. Fanatics Sportsbook launched in Louisiana and Washington D.C. in 2024 and agreed to a deal with the MLB Players Association. 

What Happened at Fanatics Fest 2024?

More than 70,000 fans attended Fanatics Fest 2024 to see more than 300 athletes and celebrities while enjoying events such as live recordings of podcasts like OverReaction Monday featuring Rich Eisen and Chris Brockman, as well as Tom Brady throwing footballs with kids, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson meeting pre-fight, and Travis Scott performing “Butterfly Effect.” Several meet and greets and chances to exchange collectibles, including a pristine auction.

Top celebrities that appeared include Rhea Ripley, Travis Scott, Jake Paul, Logan Paul, Jalen Brunson, Tom Brady, Eli and Peyton Manning, Jerry Rice, and Mike Tyson. Meanwhile, brands like the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA, MLS, WWE, UFC, Topps, 7-Eleven, Venmo, and CGC Cards Registry were all associated.