Collectors and sports enthusiasts gathered at over 400 hobby shops across the U.S. to celebrate National Trading Card Day with Topps Hobby Rip Night, featuring the release of Topps Series 1 and appearances by sports icons like Ronald Acuna Jr. and Kevin Durant.
National Trading Card Day was marked with fanfare as collectors and sports card aficionados flocked to hobby shops nationwide for the Topps Hobby Rip Night. The event celebrated the release of Topps Series 1, the flagship baseball series that made its debut on February 14. This special evening offered fans a chance to meet sports celebrities, open packs, and enjoy the community spirit of card collecting.
Among the highlights were appearances by MLB stars Ronald Acuna Jr. and Corbin Carroll, NBA legend Kevin Durant, NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Anthony Richardson, and Bryce Young, along with sports icons Tom Brady, Chipper Jones, and Darryl Strawberry. These athletes joined collectors in ripping open packs, engaging in pack wars, and participating in various interactive activities such as raffles, Q&As, and giveaways. Special merchandise was also available at participating hobby shops, adding to the excitement of the event.
Notable hobby shops and their guest stars included Tom Brady and Dylan Harper at Skybox Collectibles in New York, Kevin Durant alongside Odell Beckham Jr. and Joe Burrow at Rip Valley in Phoenix, and Ronald Acuña Jr. at Blue Breaks in Venice, Florida. Additionally, fans had the opportunity to meet figures like Meek Mill and Chipper Jones at Cards HQ in Atlanta, Corbin Carroll at Valleywide Cards in Phoenix, and Robert Kraft at World Champion Sports Cards in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Other prominent guests at various locations included Will Levis, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Johnny Manziel, Steve Aoki, Damar Hamlin, Darryl Strawberry, Rod Moore, and CJ Baxter, each making appearances at card shops from Nashville to Las Vegas, Detroit, and beyond.
The nationwide celebration of National Trading Card Day through Topps Hobby Rip Night underscored the vibrant and growing community of sports card collectors. It provided a unique opportunity for fans to connect with their favorite athletes and celebrities, share their passion for collecting, and experience the latest in sports card collecting firsthand.