My slightly late 2025 National recap (feat. Tom Brady and Cheryl Miller)

johnyensmith123 · 08-12-2025, 12:20 AM

It's a bit late, but I wanted to share my experience at the National this year. This was my second National, and first since 2019 before covid. A lot has changed since then! I went with my dad this year, and it was his first time to the National. We flew in from California.

We were able to pick up a lot of different cards and memorabilia, and also participated in some free giveaways. I only brought about 1000 in cash at the beginning, and then had to withdraw significantly more during the show to make some deals without paying too much in fees. Lesson learned for next year (cash is king)!

As expected, a ton of people and long lines to even get in as we did not have VIP or early access passes (but still got in within 15~20 minutes). A lot vintage stuff as usual, but a lot of modern stuff as well. Roughly I'd say maybe 90% were sports stuff, and 10% were non-sports (e.g. Pokemon, entertainment, etc.).

There were a lot of buying stations, and it seems folks who brought very liquid stuff had a lot of luck but I didn't bring stuff to sell this year. A lot of great value stuff in bargain bins, even on Friday, which was awesome. Marked price was generally higher than eBay, which is understandable given cost of setting up. But most dealers have room on their stuff so definitely make any reasonable offers.

Wednesday

Youtube recap

We went to the show at around 5 pm (closes at 8 pm on Wednesdays), after showing my dad the sights (I used to live in Chicago a few years back). Unfortunately, it was raining during our cruise tour, but we still had fun:

First thing we noticed at the show, some pennants and vintage pins for my alma mater (Illinois!) and so picked up a few relics from the 40s and 50s for about $115 total:

Then we checked out a booth by Evolution Sports Marketing and picked up maybe about 75 $1 cards for about 65 bucks. Got some nice bargains, including some ~$4 or higher ones.

We went to the Breakers Rowe table and there were a ton of high end stuff... I was personally interested in this Darius Garland Rookie Gold Patch out of 10 for my PC, and I probably overpaid a bit, but was able to work out a deal with the seller:

Then we participated in a few giveaways (see below), including by Real Sports Cards, We The Hobby, Black Tie Breaks, etc. and were able to get some free swag

Thursday

Youtube recap

We got to the show around 10 am, and the line was very long to get in without VIP/early access, unlike Wednesday. We still got in in just 15~20 minutes.

Was able to check out the LTD Sports booth and they had a lot of great cards. These three caught my eyes, and I was able to make a deal at around 675 total cash for the three, which I think is a pretty good deal (the LeBrons are both case hits).

We had lunch at noon at Gibson's which is just a ~2 minute walk from the convention center. Wait staff & food were amazing, highly recommend!

We visited ABC Sportscards and picked up a bunch of great value $1 and $4 cards. They also had a lot of great stuff on display. Highly recommend this booth if you visit in future years!

Then the rest of the day was mostly checking out cards and memorabilia, and doing one or two more giveaways. I did notice the patch version /75 of the MJ jersey above, but passed on it at first. I spent the next 2 hours trying to locate the booth & card because I couldn't remember where it was. Finally found it, but I didn't have the cash with me to make the deal, so had to wait until the next day after heading to the ATM.

But highlight of the day was definitely getting to see Tom Brady up close on the show floor (maybe a few feet from us at one point). They were filming some content and/or doing some promotions at a few booths. They were there at each booth for quite some time, maybe 5 minutes or more.

And then got to see Grant Williams maybe 1 minute after Brady left, which was a nice bonus:

Then we had dinner at the famous Portillo's:

Friday

Youtube recap

First order of business, I had signed up for a photo op & autographs from Cheryl Miller, so headed to the Tristar area. Unfortunately, I was late for the photo op but she was nice enough to still take the photo together at the autograph area! She was very nice & pleasant to meet and talk to, even if it was just for a few moments!

I asked her to inscribe "Greatest Women's Basketball Player" on one of the photos, but she laughed and said she probably can't do that (too humble perhaps

) and instead inscribed "Miller Time" on a photo with Reggie Miller

Then, I headed back to the booth from yesterday to finally make a deal for the MJ patch in cash

Ended up paying a few hundred bucks less than the marked price:

Then picked up a few more cards that I liked:

Finally, picked up this Ted Williams for my dad as a small gift:

Friday was our last night before flying back on Saturday, so we headed to Lou Malnati's for their deep dish pizza:

Giveaways

We also participated in a few giveaways, and got several t-shirts and even some free cards!

Youtube recap

Overall, the show was an amazing experience. We probably missed a good chunk of booths even though we tried to get them all, it's such a large show. Definitely coming back next year, and maybe for longer & with VIP passes next time

kingofsnake · 08-12-2025, 06:14 AM

Very nice recap with photos. I'm glad you had a good time with your father.

Dacubs2 · 08-12-2025, 08:11 AM

Sounds like a great time with your dad...nice pickups

2010GBPackers · 08-12-2025, 10:18 AM

Nice pickups! You have good taste in cards.

johnyensmith123 · 08-12-2025, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofsnake

Very nice recap with photos. I'm glad you had a good time with your father.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dacubs2

Sounds like a great time with your dad...nice pickups

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Nice pickups! You have good taste in cards.

Thanks all! Yeah we definitely had a great time, and we'll be back next year

Arazi4442 · 08-12-2025, 03:49 PM

Great recap and thanks for posting pics and video.

Sounds like a great time with your dad. I've been trying to talk my dad into going as well, maybe this will convince him.

johnyensmith123 · 08-12-2025, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arazi4442

Great recap and thanks for posting pics and video.

Sounds like a great time with your dad. I've been trying to talk my dad into going as well, maybe this will convince him.

Thanks! Highly recommend it!

08-12-2025, 12:20 AM	#1
johnyensmith123 Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,829	My slightly late 2025 National recap (feat. Tom Brady and Cheryl Miller) It's a bit late, but I wanted to share my experience at the National this year. This was my second National, and first since 2019 before covid. A lot has changed since then! I went with my dad this year, and it was his first time to the National. We flew in from California. We were able to pick up a lot of different cards and memorabilia, and also participated in some free giveaways. I only brought about 1000 in cash at the beginning, and then had to withdraw significantly more during the show to make some deals without paying too much in fees. Lesson learned for next year (cash is king)! As expected, a ton of people and long lines to even get in as we did not have VIP or early access passes (but still got in within 15~20 minutes). A lot vintage stuff as usual, but a lot of modern stuff as well. Roughly I'd say maybe 90% were sports stuff, and 10% were non-sports (e.g. Pokemon, entertainment, etc.). There were a lot of buying stations, and it seems folks who brought very liquid stuff had a lot of luck but I didn't bring stuff to sell this year. A lot of great value stuff in bargain bins, even on Friday, which was awesome. Marked price was generally higher than eBay, which is understandable given cost of setting up. But most dealers have room on their stuff so definitely make any reasonable offers. Wednesday Youtube recap We went to the show at around 5 pm (closes at 8 pm on Wednesdays), after showing my dad the sights (I used to live in Chicago a few years back). Unfortunately, it was raining during our cruise tour, but we still had fun: First thing we noticed at the show, some pennants and vintage pins for my alma mater (Illinois!) and so picked up a few relics from the 40s and 50s for about $115 total: Then we checked out a booth by Evolution Sports Marketing and picked up maybe about 75 $1 cards for about 65 bucks. Got some nice bargains, including some ~$4 or higher ones. We went to the Breakers Rowe table and there were a ton of high end stuff... I was personally interested in this Darius Garland Rookie Gold Patch out of 10 for my PC, and I probably overpaid a bit, but was able to work out a deal with the seller: Then we participated in a few giveaways (see below), including by Real Sports Cards, We The Hobby, Black Tie Breaks, etc. and were able to get some free swag Thursday Youtube recap We got to the show around 10 am, and the line was very long to get in without VIP/early access, unlike Wednesday. We still got in in just 15~20 minutes. Was able to check out the LTD Sports booth and they had a lot of great cards. These three caught my eyes, and I was able to make a deal at around 675 total cash for the three, which I think is a pretty good deal (the LeBrons are both case hits). We had lunch at noon at Gibson's which is just a ~2 minute walk from the convention center. Wait staff & food were amazing, highly recommend! We visited ABC Sportscards and picked up a bunch of great value $1 and $4 cards. They also had a lot of great stuff on display. Highly recommend this booth if you visit in future years! Then the rest of the day was mostly checking out cards and memorabilia, and doing one or two more giveaways. I did notice the patch version /75 of the MJ jersey above, but passed on it at first. I spent the next 2 hours trying to locate the booth & card because I couldn't remember where it was. Finally found it, but I didn't have the cash with me to make the deal, so had to wait until the next day after heading to the ATM. But highlight of the day was definitely getting to see Tom Brady up close on the show floor (maybe a few feet from us at one point). They were filming some content and/or doing some promotions at a few booths. They were there at each booth for quite some time, maybe 5 minutes or more. And then got to see Grant Williams maybe 1 minute after Brady left, which was a nice bonus: Then we had dinner at the famous Portillo's: Friday Youtube recap First order of business, I had signed up for a photo op & autographs from Cheryl Miller, so headed to the Tristar area. Unfortunately, I was late for the photo op but she was nice enough to still take the photo together at the autograph area! She was very nice & pleasant to meet and talk to, even if it was just for a few moments! I asked her to inscribe "Greatest Women's Basketball Player" on one of the photos, but she laughed and said she probably can't do that (too humble perhaps ) and instead inscribed "Miller Time" on a photo with Reggie Miller Then, I headed back to the booth from yesterday to finally make a deal for the MJ patch in cash Ended up paying a few hundred bucks less than the marked price: Then picked up a few more cards that I liked: Finally, picked up this Ted Williams for my dad as a small gift: Friday was our last night before flying back on Saturday, so we headed to Lou Malnati's for their deep dish pizza: Giveaways We also participated in a few giveaways, and got several t-shirts and even some free cards! Youtube recap Overall, the show was an amazing experience. We probably missed a good chunk of booths even though we tried to get them all, it's such a large show. Definitely coming back next year, and maybe for longer & with VIP passes next time Last edited by johnyensmith123; 08-12-2025 at 01:14 AM.

08-12-2025, 06:14 AM	#2
kingofsnake Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Napa Valley Posts: 4,533	Very nice recap with photos. I'm glad you had a good time with your father. __________________ I collect Joe Johnson - 2,830 different cards, 528 1/1's. www.ilocust.com/hobby.htm

08-12-2025, 10:18 AM	#4
2010GBPackers Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 4,357	Nice pickups! You have good taste in cards. __________________ "And more and more and more and more And more of less than ever before It's just too much more for your mind to absorb" - Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) Instagram: 2010gbpackers

08-12-2025, 08:11 AM	#3
Dacubs2 Member Join Date: Nov 2023 Posts: 1,031 pharmkid97 pharmkid97	Sounds like a great time with your dad...nice pickups

08-12-2025, 03:49 PM	#6
Arazi4442 Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 262 gabrielcaine	Great recap and thanks for posting pics and video. Sounds like a great time with your dad. I've been trying to talk my dad into going as well, maybe this will convince him.