Is The Sports Card National Worth Attending? 

This will be my 3rd national and I wouldn’t miss it for the world, no matter where it is. Go with a friend/friends to split some costs and just go. Best week of the year.

Those of us like myself on the West Coast don't have a chance anyway. They never bring it to California or Nevada and I can't afford to travel two time zones spending thousands and then even more money haggling over cards. Should be called the Central /Eastern regional spectacle.

I know this is a baseball card channel but after hearing about spending thousands of dollars on travel, I can't help but mention to y'all about the credit card points and miles game. You guys should look into it. I live in south Texas and recently flew to New York to see the Yankees-Astros series. Round trip and 3 nights at a hotel 2 blocks from Time Square cost us $32.90.

Can’t wait for the Spitballin’ booth at a future National

The National last year was a lot of fun, I am glad Phil mentioned it but I feel like 80-90% of tables were priced over comps. I feel like they are just setting up to be "mobile museums" in order to not lose their yearly spot.

Glad you mentioned the Denver card show, that show is getting SERIOUS! great show in the middle of the United States

Last year’s national was my first one since 1995. Here’s what I experienced. Going in, I had my eyes set on 3 player’s cards: Michael Jordan (PSA 7 1984 Star Basketball #101, which I picked up) Devin Hester Cards (found a bunch) & Christian Mcaffrey; which was not easy to find. Being a modern player, many of the modern card dealers focus on bringing big QB cards. The position players are surprisingly not easy to find their higher end cards like Rpas and autos. Many dealers have very limited space, and so many are coming from out of town, so they focus on cards they feel will sell for the most. I did end up finding 4 nice CMC cards. An NT /99 RPA, an Immac rpa, a 2016 select xrc & and optic rookie auto.

I’m going to my first national this year, which I’ve started making plans for. Loved your guys insight on the show.

If money was no object I'd go. Phil is right imo, true dealers who do this full time with a business model, distribution channels, and a wide variety of material, shows like the national can work. Most of us whatever we are, collector, flipper, investor, buyer/seller can only make money speculating on bin and sell later. Currently i'm speccing a few guys who imo are under the radar. The expenses involved make it impractical.

I want to go to the national but honestly I am just going to the detroit sports spectacular which is this upcoming weekend I am excited for my first ever big card show lol.

Going to the National is a personal choice each hobbyist needs to make. it all depends on an individual's financial situation, personal time availability, and overall passion for the event itself. I think if you are within reasonable driving distance, it's a must go event and a worthwhile experience if you love sportscards. I've traveled to the last 6 Nationals and i don't have an issue with the cost overlay (airfare, hotel, rideshare, food,, etc), but that is me. Individuals pick and choose how they want to spend their hobby/discretionary funds. I treat it as a vacation and for that week i put that event as part of my work/life balance and have no issue taking time off from my career to attend. Looking forward to it in a couple months.

National is really what you make it! Those late hotel trade nights were so fun but also get to see the bad side of the hobby (collectors harassing and pushing around hotel employees is NEVER acceptable) in my opinion it’s worth it for the networking and amount of stuff you see. GREAT show to upgrade some big cards. Putting the ask out of what you’re looking for is the BEST idea! Was great talking with you Scott for a few min, I know that Billy Butler BC rookie auto was tough to find on the floor😂

Went to Chicago last year for the first time and had a great time. Don’t know if I got any real deals but it’s just cool to see so many of the cards you want in person. Living in Chicago definitely helps, don’t know if I’d pay to travel to one.

Hey, don't be embarrassed to say you have more time and money than most of us. The National is a giant museum. Probably worth the price of admission to see all of the cards and memorabilia.....

Phil good advice. Gents, never been. Yup hard to believe I live in Houston and from Chicago and still have never been bcuz of $$$ & why use my PTO for family trips which is where the $$ go. Use the $$ I do have for cards I want. Collect tons of vintage and modern so again I miss the networking and meeting people like you all. I listen to the stories and just always one day will make a trip.

I’ve been the past few years. I’m going to skip this year’s. Too close to college starting. Too much already happening 🤷‍♂️

I've never been to the National, hopefully one day, but the Burbank show is enough for me. The Anaheim Convention Center is 3.9 miles from where I live so going there is no problem. It would be hard to spend $1,000-1500 on just traveling when you could really buy quite a few nice cards fo that $ and besides the CardFather is in Burbank! Can't wait for his new shop to open.

As someone who has gone to many, I am looking forward to Cleveland but if I have a few basic pointers (and I have come from the Pacific NW). 1. Have a budget (whether high or low). 2. Come with a plan (it can be overwhelming). 3. The best deals generally can be had on Sundays (I have found deals more difficult early on in the show). 4. Try to take advantage of the silver pack programs. I love 'em and I will buy a few boxes specifically to get the silver packs. 5. Get away from the show for a bit (go see a baseball game; Cleveland - I will go spend a few hours at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Of the three primary locations, Chicago is my favorite, followed by Cleveland, then not attending, and finally Atlantic City (so difficult for me to get to, never attending again).

Yeah guys I can't wait for the national. Still got to book my flight but I got my Airbnb with the guys. Definitely going to be interesting with trade nights as none of the hotels are close to the venue so everything's going to be at the venue and or at a very specific location.

"I made her change the weekend." Strong work Chris, strong work. One of these times I'll get my lazy butt down to Burbank. As for the National...remember(I'm paraphrasing a legend here)...if you have to split a room to cut costs, you shouldn't be going. 😂😂

Bucket list item at age 69. Living in south Texas and would hope San Antonio or Houston could grab a seat at the show table, but probably not.

Have a good week panel & collectors And here's hoping we get a great Stanley Cup & NBA final aswell as a hot month of baseball Good show guys ⚾

Scottie covered it perfectly

Will probably skip Cleveland. Might try to make a Chicago National. Otherwise, one of the upcoming Burbank shows is on my to-do list. It’s a pain in the rear traveling from way up north.

Can’t make the National but will try to make it to Burbank this for my first show ever.

There was a lot of free cool stuff at last years national, my dad won a case of 2023 topps chrome baseball! And honestly was the most fun I’ve had. It’s expensive though to attend unless you live in that same state. Why I’ll only go to another national if it’s in Atlantic City again.

How’s the DC show or philly

Good more balanced insights. I only go for silver packs and corporate promotions. I’ve made money last two years focused on that alone.

Love this show! Just wanted to comment how much I enjoy and appreciate you guys posting. Have you guys considered releasing as audio podcast?

I can't imagine taking a flight w hotel room and all that for the national. Seems like a waste of money. Me being from Detroit, i will probably drive to this one, spend one night in a hotel, spend 2 days at the national and gamble at the casino. Looking forward to it.

Dude 100% on using the national to buy on eBay. Lots of people who spend tons of money on ebay aren’t looking and keeping track of cards they would have normally bid on. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen cards go for lower and I would have so purchased if I wasn’t at a big card show buying or selling.

I know they use to have it in Anaheim from time to time. What happened to that?

I'm a 20 min drive from Rosemont. So that's a no-brainer for me. But I won't go anywhere else.

I would love to go to the National but living in Louisiana it will cost me 2 grand + just for me and my wife to fly, get a hotel, and pay to get into the show. I’d rather spend that 2 grand on a card(s) i really want. If they ever had a national within driving distance (Texas, Tennessee, Florida, etc). I would love to attend.

This will be my first national. I just want to see some cards in person that I never get a chance too in real life. Like a Babe Ruth or other cool cards like that.

Been to 3 or 4. Used to be very interesting seeing the pricing of certain cards and how they were valued by different dealers before all this "comps" and instant research. Haven't been in a long while, since the last one I was planning on got cancelled. The autograph pavilion thing with a bunch of these guys not signing trading cards is just ridiculous.

You guys need to bring in Neo every now and then, it would spice things up a bit.

What was the youtuber who had a video on the logistics for the National? I wasn't able to catch it

Great content 👌

Nationals should consider going to different cities every year... like the Super Bowl. The hobby is bigger than just the Northeast.

It definitely was the hotels that shut them down.

I was just at a show today one guy kept going with the “I’m into for this “ and I walked away.

I am def going to the burbank show too!

I think that someone would have to spend at least 2k to have a good time. Plane, Hotel, food, Uber and that's all before the actual event.

Excellent video Gents. I have struggled in the past with going to the National as like Jeff says, do I want to spend at least $1,000 on room, foot, etc that takes away from what I can spend on cards? That being said, the National is in my backyard this year (I am near Canton, hour drive tops) and it is a no brainer to go. It has been over 10 years and since I have been to a National in Cleveland, but I can tell you that the IX Center is a great venue, although not a great location as there really no option to walk or much around it. It also helps that I know a couple of dealers setting up, so I have a place to hang as a home base per say. Looking forward to just seeing some great collections and hopefully picking up a few PC items. Scottie B, I didn't realize you were near Cincinnati. You really should take a trip to Shipshewana, IN. Absolutely great Regional show done every quarter. Philmington, is your get together private? Sounds like a great opportunity to meet some excellent content creators. Looking forward to the next video. Until next time....

Yes

It’s good to go if you are a LCS owner in the hobby bc you can make the trip a tax right off.

Bang I b there everyday! 10 minutes from my house! I would let a dealer stay for a few cards, I gots a duplex!

Chris and Jeff you’re always welcome to stay at my place in Chicago for the National in 2025 or 2026 if you want to save hotel money. I have bourbon, and I’m not an axe murderer 😂

Another great video

Maybe someone can ship their cards to Strongsville 😂, i heard they take great care of mail. 😮

Jeff & Chris, I really think Burbank would be much better for me so maybe one day I will.

Given the cost to the vendors for setting up/getting there, and the over cost for an attendee to go to the show, are there deals to be made? Vendors need to make money to cover their expenses and, do some vendors just say, "Hey, you spent $1000+ to get here, will you really go home with nothing because I charge 10-15% more than your local show"

What a waste of money and time on sports cards. I rather used the money going to Europe for summer vacation

Lol. Scott's cracking chair at 1:13😅

Scott I have some Billy Butler’s for you. Nothing crazy just need to send them to you

I want to go and dress up as a baseball card.

Scott, not sure how far you are into Kentucky, but are you going to the Midwest Monster this weekend in Indy?

Fortunately I can get to Cleveland IX center in 20 minutes, so that money I save on travel will go to cards. If your way out west it’s not worth it as I see it.

I am going but only to attend the SocoExpo event, geared to soccer (however anyone is welcome and all sports will be displayed)

Will there be One Piece TCG there?

Boy how you gonna be dropping this video a week after I buy tickets

You are higher than high if you don’t think fanatics is trying to replace the national.

Dr. Phil, let us now when you get the strippers for the after hours party ... I'm not bringing my cards for that. Well~Just the "10's".

I watch you guys every week so please don’t think this is a troll comment; but how are you guys in this hobby so seriously to run a podcast, and nobody goes to the national? Or know stuff like the dates off the top.. actually nuts to me.

Cards dead people losing interest and utubers views down. Prices down on 99.99% cards.

Then let's not go to any card conventions. The way things are going with inflation what will a picture on cardboard even bring?

Can't wait, 35 mins away from IX center were the National is this year!!!!!! Cleveland baby!!!

SCV been telling yall to stop falling in love and marring these cards, lol. buy raw, grade and put up for auction. let the market do what the market does

Overpriced event I'll pass

My dad sets up at the national every year and does game used bats. He’s got a billy butler bat coming to the national this year (Scott) 👀. Mikitasports