Every little thing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi touch turns to gold – and that features the London Card Show.
The last event in August saw a incredible certainly one of one dual autograph card of the GOAT contenders grow to be a star attraction.
Fans flocked for a glimpse of the rare piece of memorabilia, which eventually sold for £67,000, and much more will flow through the doors of Sandown Racecourse for the following show.
It’s set to be a record-breaking affair with 6,200 trading card collectors set to purchase, sell, and trade the among the Most worthy cards, stickers, and collectibles within the UK.
And London Card Show founder Harry Reynolds is keen to make sure they continue to be the go-to events on the calendar.
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He told talkSPORT.com: “It’s nice having that platform where people do feel comfortable bringing the large high value cards to the show to trade. It really shows how far the show has come.
“People say, ‘Oh, I would like to sell this at London.’ or ‘I would like to purchase this to sell it at London’ is something I quite usually hear.
“And among the money people do buying and sell for on the show is kind of obscene as well.”
There may be a likelihood that the Ronaldo-Messi Topps Chrome UEFA Club Competitions certainly one of one may very well be eclipsed on the winter event being held on Saturday, November 1 and Sunday November 2 – but it surely doesn’t involve a footballer.
Reynolds added: “We all know that there is a card from the brand new Marvel set, a certainly one of one Wolverine is coming along, which a number of people have said is a six-figure card with with among the numbers which the Americans are going for.
“This Marvel set is pretty bonkers. So yeah, we there is a huge Wolverine coming along.
“Steve Aoki has been throughout this Marvel set. So he’s been reaching out to a good few people, myself and all of the attendees who and other people within the UK who I do know pull some pretty decent cards. It’s pretty impressive.
“But that is probably the largest card. I do know another people will just whip out cards as in the event that they’re nothing. But that is one which we’re aware of.”
Reynolds has also been networking in america, visiting ‘The National’ and the ‘Fanatics Fest’ over the past 12 months as he looks to take the London Card Show to the following level.
And the latter saw him rubbing shoulders with billionaire Michael Rubin and NFL icon Tom Brady.
Reynolds told talkSPORT.com: “Some people collect cards as a business, but they’ve little interest in cards. And a few individuals are really into sports or the American sports and have little interest in cards. So it was a extremely good crossover. It was just something you have never seen before.
“Like in it, there is a UFC octagon and you then go 20 meters, 100 meters, and abruptly there is a WWE walkout, after which there’s an MLB area. There’s an NFL star doing a 40-yard dash. There is a huge area for meet and greets. After which there’s almost a card show inside that.
“It was really cool just bumping into Michael Rubin, bumping into Tom Brady. It’s something you do not expect to occur whenever you’re collecting a bit little bit of cardboard. But yeah, it was really cool.”
“I spoke to Michael Rubin briefly. It was quite cool. He knew the London Card Show. So obviously, because I’m quite close with CEO of Fanatics events, Lance Fensterman, so there’s clearly been discussions, which is kind of cool.
“We were wearing the identical shoes on the time so it was start point for conversation. And it was only a two-minute conversation, but it surely was quite cool to speak to the principal man himself amongst his huge entourage.
“And you then go a bit bit further and you only look in all places. There’s influencers, there’s sports stars, there’s everyone in and around it. So it’s just something for everybody.”
The European growth of sports trading cards – which has the London Card Show at its epicentre – also saw Topps host their first ever ‘Rip Nights’ outside of america.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain superstar Achraf Hakimi helped one young fan win a signed Lionel Messi card.
Meanwhile, in London shop Kaboom, it was Arsenal icon on and talkSPORT co-host Ray Parlour who starred, answering fan questions and opening boxes and packs a plenty.
“It was really, really cool,” said Reynolds. “The entire evening. It was chill to begin. People just catching up, ripping some packs. And we went upstairs, met Ray who was moving into it.
Parlour appeared to thoroughly enjoy opening the boxes asking those at Topps for more.
That glee was something that impressed everyone on the event.
Reynolds added: “It’s nice to see those that don’t just rock up, spend the time there and go. He was going around chatting to people, attempting to learn.
“He was asking questions. Really cool. So yeah, it was a fun night.”
One other Arsenal legend is ready to star on the London Card Show with Paul Merson taking to the stage with iconic brand Futera for a Q&A and a signing session.
But he might now be the one famous face around as collecting hits the mainstream within the UK.
Celebrities like Roman Kemp have been spotted snapping up cards and memorabilia, while Chelsea star, and former attendee, Tosin Adarabioyo is a keen member of ‘The Hobby’.
Reynolds added “We at all times have just a few [celebrities] but a few of them like to only stay anonymous and rock up, a few of them will make an effort but cannot guarantee to come back.
“Tosin has a game on the Sunday, so he’ll be resting on the Saturday. He said he might, but again, he’s one other one where we like to have him along but we will not guarantee anything, so we do not like to vow it.
“We have got Paul Merson, Arsenal England legend, coming on the Sunday to do some meet and greets, do a chat, after which sign some autographs.
“It’ll be an action-packed show.”