Some of the sports stars and other celebrities scheduled to appear at Fanatics Fest 2026 were Tom Brady, Aaron Judge, Travis Scott, Diana Taurasi, Kevin Durant, Jay-Z, Rhea Ripley, Mike Tyson, Mariano Rivera, and more.  See below for a slideshow of photos from the event, which was attended by our photographer, Sean Fitzpatrick.  We also covered Fanatics Fest in 2025. 

Below are some of the releases from the Fanatics Fest team: 

FIFA and Fanatics Expand Wide-Ranging Relationship to Include Historic Exclusive Collectibles Agreement (Trading Cards, Stickers and Trading Card Games)

May 7

In a landmark agreement expanding their already successful wide-ranging commercial relationship, FIFA and Fanatics have signed a long-term, exclusive collectibles licensing deal that features trading cards, stickers, and trading card games. The agreement, which will begin in full in 2031, covers both physical and digital collectibles.

An example of the product innovations that will be brought to fans under this new partnership is the highly sought-after player jersey patch program, including debut patches, which will be inserted into football trading cards from 2031 onward. All products will be designed and developed through Fanatics Collectibles and produced under the Topps brand.

As a part of the deal, Fanatics will bring the magic to young people in every region of the world and support youth football globally by distributing more than $150 million in collectibles free of charge across the lifetime of the partnership.

“Across the sports landscape, we see that Fanatics are driving massive innovation in  collectibles that provides fans with a new, meaningful way to engage with their favorite teams and with their favorite players,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.  “So, from FIFA’s point of view, we can globalize that fan engagement precisely thanks to our global tournament portfolio. And this provides another important commercial revenue stream that we channel back, as always, into the game, into football.”

Fanatics founder and CEO, Michael Rubin, said: “This is truly a historic day in our company’s history. Global football is the biggest growth opportunity in sports, and when you combine the power of FIFA with the innovation and entrepreneurial backbone of Fanatics, together we’re poised to elevate storytelling and collectibles around the game in a way that’s never been seen before.”

Fanatics Collectibles CEO, Mike Mahan, added: “We’re incredibly excited to partner with FIFA to deliver truly innovative products that bring fans and collectors closer to their favorite players in the biggest competitions.  Through our cutting-edge offerings we look forward to helping grow both the hobby and the global game as a whole.”

For the first time, the pre-match press conferences for the FIFA World Cup Final will be hosted at Fanatics Fest

Fanatics Fest will also hold the official FIFA World Cup Final press conferences on Friday, 17 July 2026, two days before the FIFA World Cup Final, with coaches and players attending along with media availability for each team and an on-stage moment.

On Sunday, 19 July 2026, Fanatics Fest will also host a massive watch party and will air the FIFA World Cup Final live on all screens around the Javits Center for the tens of thousands expected attendees that day.

More on Fanatics Collectibles Innovation and Technology

Since joining Fanatics in 2022, Topps has been at the forefront of product innovation and enhancing every part of the collector experience. The company has pioneered the popular Rookie Debut Patch (MLB, NBA, NFL, WWE, F1, MLS) and other MVP patch programs, including the MLB Gold Logoman and the NFL Honors Gold Shield. Topps has also introduced new relics and game-used memorabilia pieces as well.

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More on FIFA and Fanatics Partnerships Beyond Collectibles

The collectibles deal expands on FIFA and Fanatics’ already successful commercial relationship.  Fanatics is the official on-site retail and merchandising operator for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including in-stadium retail operations and FIFA Fan Festival retail experiences. Just last month the pair also announced that FIFA will have a multi-day presence at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 (July 16-19), including integrated content moments within its branded appearances and activation space.

CNBC and Boardroom to Bring Game Plan Summit to Fanatics Fest in New York City on July 16

Mar 30

Fourth annual summit to host industry leaders, visionaries, and rising stars against the backdrop of the world’s #1 sports fan festival

CNBC, First in Business Worldwide, and Boardroom, Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s premier media brand covering the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business, today announced the companies will join forces once again to host the fourth annual Game Plan Summit on July 16.

Marking an exciting new chapter for the event, the summit will make its New York debut after previous editions in Los Angeles. This year’s event will take place as part of Fanatics Fest, a multi-day festival celebrating sports, culture and entertainment, that returns to the Javits Center July 16-19.

“Game Plan has become a defining forum for the conversations shaping the future of sports, business, and culture,” said Steve Lewis, Senior Vice President and Senior Executive Producer of CNBC Events and Councils. “It’s where the most influential voices across sports, media, and business come together to unpack the forces transforming the industry and help shape what comes next.”

“Year over year, CNBC and Boardroom have grown Game Plan into a must-attend event unlike any other in our industry,” said Boardroom CEO and co-founder Rich Kleiman. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring what we’ve built into the ecosystem that Fanatics Fest has built to make this event even more impactful for our attendees, making this a can’t-miss moment in the sports and entertainment industry.”

The 2026 Game Plan Summit will convene the most influential leaders from the sports and entertainment business landscape to discuss the topics that matter most to athletes, owners, investors, and innovators, bringing sports into the next era. Attendees can expect an afternoon packed with insightful conversations, networking opportunities, and groundbreaking ideas that will shape the future of the sports industry. All Game Plan attendees will also have access to the entire Fanatics Fest experience that day.

“We’re thrilled to team up with Boardroom and CNBC to bring Game Plan to New York City at Fanatics Fest this summer,” said Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events. “Game Plan brings together the energy, bold ideas and star power that align perfectly with what we’re building – an immersive weekend at the intersection of sports, culture and fandom. This is going to be an incredible moment for the industry, taking place during one of the biggest weekends in sports.”

Speakers at the 2025 event included: Travis Scott, Recording Artist and Cactus Jack Enterprises CEO; Michael Rapino, Live Nation Entertainment CEO; Val Ackerman, BIG EAST Commissioner; Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner; Kevin Durant, Boardroom Co-Founder and two-time NBA Champion; Josh Harris, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) Founder & Managing General Partner and 26North Founder; Ted Leonsis, Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder & CEO and Revolution Growth Co-Founder; Constance Schwartz-Morini, SMAC Entertainment Co-Founder and CEO; and more.

Panelists and speakers for the July 16th Game Plan Summit in New York will be announced in the coming weeks.

Banner Image: Fanatics Fest sign. Image Credit – Sean Fitzpatrick