Like collecting cards or sports memorabilia? The sports memorabilia world is gearing up for the biggest week in the hobby. The 46th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC) is being held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, outside of Chicago. The event has an incredible 500,000 square feet of continuous floor space and more than 600 different sports dealers. The organizer said that this year’s convention is set to be the largest in the show’s 46-year history.
If
you choose to make the drive up to Illinois from the Bluegrass State, the autograph pavilion features a robust lineup of familiar faces, ranging from homegrown legends to some of the most notorious villains in Kentucky sports history.
Here is a look at the key Kentucky connections making an appearance, plus everything you need to know to plan your trip.
The Home State legend
If you are looking to add some authentic Kentucky flavor to your collection, two major football icons with deep local roots are headlining the autograph stages.
Phil Simms (Signing July 30 at 11:30 am): Born in Springfield and a graduate of Southern High School in Louisville, Simms went on to become a standout at Morehead State University. He parlayed his Bluegrass beginnings into an illustrious NFL career, ultimately becoming a Super Bowl MVP for the New York Giants.
The Rivals We All Love to Hate
Now, while there may not be any University of Kentucky stars headlining the event, that doesn’t mean you can’t find their cards or memorabilia at the event. But there are also some villains from the past that you could meet if you want to take a trip down memory lane.
Otis Wilson (Signing August 1 at 2:00 pm): Before he was terrorizing NFL offenses as a feared linebacker for the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears, Wilson was making his mark at the University of Louisville. He was a three-year letter winner, a team captain, and a first-team All-American for the Cardinals in 1979.
Christian Laettner (Signing August 1 at 11:15 am): Walk around Lexington, and you will inevitably run into an I Still Hate Laettner t-shirt. In the 1992 NCAA East Regional Final, he broke Big Blue hearts as he hit “the shot.”
Bernard King (Signing July 31 at 2:00 pm): A Tennessee Volunteers basketball legend, King was half of the “Ernie and Bernie” duo that tangled with the Cats.
Other SEC connections include Jay Cutler (Signing July 31 at 1:30 pm) and Sterling Sharpe (Signing July 31 at 3:45 pm).
What to Expect on the Floor
Whether you are hunting for old singles, Bowman, Topps, and/or Upper Deck vintage cards, or chasing modern marvels like Prizms, Superfractors, and 1/1 on-card autographs, the floor will have it all. Vendors will also be offering box and card grading, autograph authentication, and consignment services all over.
With over 600 dealers actively seeking to buy, it is highly recommended to bring your own cards, too. A lot of times, people will bring over their childhood collections to trade or sell.
2026 Show Schedule and Ticketing
The event runs from Wednesday, July 29, through Sunday, August 2, 2026, with different times for each day. If you’d like to purchase tickets, you can do so by clicking here.
Note: VIP ticket holders (currently sold out) receive early access and are allowed onto the show floor one hour earlier each day.
Ticket Information
General Admission: $30.00.
Kids Under 12: Children aged 12 and under enjoy free admission all week when accompanied by a parent or guardian who has purchased a VIP pass.
What is your favorite piece of memorabilia that you own?
