In Toronto, the Sport Card & Memorabilia Expo stands as Canada’s largest and longest-running sports collectibles show, spanning over four decades, a true mecca for enthusiasts and collectors alike. It’s the ultimate destination to meet sports legends and grab autographs, not just from hockey greats but also from athletes across other major sports and entertainment. It's also the best place to dive into a treasure trove of collectibles while socializing with fellow collectors—an often-overlooked benefit. Over the course of four days, attendees can explore more than 200,000 square feet of Expo space at the International Centre, conveniently located next to the airport. With 35+ guests, over 500 dealers and corporate booths, there’s something for everyone—whether you're hunting for rare cards, the latest products, vintage items, or unique sports memorabilia. And let's not forget the incredible signing guests you can meet in person!
For those who regularly attend the Toronto Expo and are familiar with being in Halls 5, 4, and 3, take note: this fall, we’ll be in Halls 2, 3, and 4. The space is slightly larger and should help bring everyone together seamlessly. Having just recently spoken with Brad Hartlin from PSA (Hall 3), he is the Director Market Development for Canada and he mentioned to me: "we are so excited to be back in Canada with On-Site grading for the 2nd time…if you're attending the show and have trading cards that you don’t want to ship, this is your chance to come to the Expo and have your items Authenticated and Graded". Brad also said candidly: "the Expo is my favorite show in the world and you don't want to miss it!"
Over the past four decades, I’ve clocked in at approximately 70 Expos, with an unbroken streak of 52 consecutive shows (pandemic aside). During those years, I released three hockey price guides and sold thousands of copies at the show. The most rewarding part has been the people; old friends and many new. My vintage self, moves easily among the old crowd, but it's the influx of newer hobby players that’s reinforced something important: in the world of collecting, age is not a barrier. The shared passion makes us all part of the same community.
Hobby historian Bobby Burrell and Karvin Cheung, "The Architect" of Upper Deck Exquisite cards, a wealth of knowledge, will be walking the floors at the Expo. If you spot them, don’t hesitate to say hi or ask them a question, they’re always open to chatting with fellow collectors. And who’s that with the infectious smile in the background? None other than PSA’s Brad Hartlin! His positive energy is impossible to miss and has become a hallmark of the Toronto Expo.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to hang out with Upper Deck’s master card set creator, Billy Celio, where old school historian meets new school card designer in the best possible way. Despite our differences in hobby genres, we’ve formed quite the friendship. Affectionately, I refer to him as "Grizzly Adams" thanks to his impressively thick whiskered beard (kinda jealous), if you don’t know that reference, it’s time to fire up the "way back machine" and check out that classic old sitcom.
Tim McEnery, creator of Slab Strong graded card holders and now with BWC Supplies, has become a regular at the Toronto Expo. His first visit, during the pandemic, began humbly when he drove up from Boston with a mutual friend. Tim's outgoing personality and sharp demeanor quickly won him the favor of many, and he soon became a fixture at my decades-long, somewhat exclusive Saturday night Expo dinners. Since then, Tim hasn’t missed an Expo (except maybe one), and he’s definitely made his mark—who else would get a tattoo at a sports card show? But Tim did! Who gets his own Topps card as an influencer? Tim did! He’s been a strong supporter of all aspects of the hobby, even helping to endorse my website and app, Needuum.com.
Whether you’re young or old, seasoned or new, the enduring allure of the Expo transcends generational divides. History has shown that, regardless of market fluctuations be it upward or downward, the attendance numbers continue to astonish, consistently setting new records at every event. The vibrant energy of the Expo makes every trip worthwhile, solidifying its status as one of the most resilient and eagerly anticipated gatherings in the hobby world. With four decades of Toronto Expos under my belt, my wife often humorously refers to the hobby as my mistress, and honestly, I’m absolutely fine with that!
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