2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide
Overview
Returning to the "Windy City," the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention brings the hobby back to one of the most popular recent locations for NSCC. The 38th installment of the National continues the legacy of the premier sports card and memorabilia event of the year, this time in Chicago.
Of course, the many cards in one spot are a huge draw but there is plenty more to entice fans and collectors to make a visit. In addition to literally hundreds of card dealers selling almost any collectible of note, visitors can also obtain autographs from some big-time athletes as well as a mix of exclusive cards only issued at the NSCC.
Although the vast amount of cards and collectibles in one spot is enough to bring many to Chicago, the in-person component allows collectors in the digital age the chance to meet and/or catch-up with their online collecting friends.
Following a stop in Atlantic City for 2016, Cleveland (2018) and Chicago (2019) mark the next locations for the National. The convention was also in Chicago during 2015.
For those planning to make their first NSCC visit, or if you simply need a refresher on what to expect, our National Sports Collectors Convention Survival Guide is a nice resource to review before you head out.
Important 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Details
2017 National Sports Collectors Convention website
Date: Wednesday, July 26 to Sunday, July 30
Where is it?: Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. See complete directions and parking info for the location as well as the NSCC schedule of events. The National site also offers a comprehensive breakdown for the various hotel rooms and rates available.
Peruse a detailed Google map for the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention below to see the nearby options.
General Public Show Hours:
- Wednesday, July 26 - 4PM to 8PM (sneak peek)
- Thursday, July 27 - 10AM to 6PM
- Friday, July 28 - 10AM to 6PM
- Saturday, July 29 - 10AM to 6PM
- Sunday, July 30 - 10AM to 5PM
Admission:
Beyond basic admittance for the day, fans and collectors also have several tiers of VIP ticket levels to consider. While these obviously come at a higher cost, they each provide admission for all five days as well as other perks. The VIP packages feature free autographs from a specific pool of guests (VIP=12; Super VIP=18), while the All-Access VIP and Super VIP adds front-of-the-line privileges for signers and much more.
An extra perk for families, the annual tradition of free admission for kids 12 and under continues in 2017.
See the full rundown of the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention ticket packages and pricing on the National's website. A basic snapshot of the ticket options is listed below:
- General Admission: $19/day in advance, $22/day at the show
- Children (12 and under): Free all week
- VIP Package: $129 in advance, $139 at the show
- Super VIP Package: $189 in advance, $199 at the show
- All-Access VIP: $249
- All-Access Super VIP: $299
There is also the Platinum Express pass from Tristar ($699). While it doesn't include admission to the National, it does come with front-of-the-line priority for Tristar signings and authentication, plus 10 free New Record authentication tickets. Perhaps most intriguing, the pass includes autograph tickets for Alex Rodriguez, Terrell Davis, Dick Butkus, Bill Polian, Brett Hull and Ken Anderson.
Other Events
Given its proximity to Chicago, the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention is clearly not the only option in town, including renowned professional sports, concerts, art galleries, museums, restaurants and shopping.
More specifically, the Chicago Cubs play the Chicago White Sox (At Cubs: 7/24-7/25; At White Sox: 7/26-7/27) during the stretch. Although the Cubs head out on the road after that, the White Sox remain at home to face the Cleveland Indians (7/28 to 7/30).
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Autograph Guests
2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Autograph Signers Schedule
Managed by TriStar, the Autograph Pavilion is likely to be among the most popular parts of the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention. Although some of the ticket packages noted previously do include free VIP autographs*, the majority of the athletes come with an additional cost.
The tentative 2017 NSCC signers list schedule is shown below. Please note that all signers are subject to change. Full information, including specific prices, signing times and ticket pre-sales, is provided at TriStar's website.
*VIP guests are noted below.* Petrocelli signing is Friday (7/28) at 9:30 to 11AM on the Mike Berkus Main Stage.***
**Archibald, Canseco, Duguay signing for free on show floor on Wednesday (7/26).**
Baseball
Alex Rodriguez - Saturday
Andre Dawson - Thursday
Bob Gibson - Thursday
Cal Ripken Jr. - Thursday
Dave Winfield - Thursday
David Ross - Friday
Deion Sanders - Friday
Dennis Eckersley - Thursday
Eddie Murray - Thursday
Frank Robinson - Friday
Fritz Peterson - Thursday*
Jim Rice - Thursday
Jimmy Rollins - Saturday
Johnny Bench - Thursday
Jose Canseco - Wednesday**
Kerry Wood - Sunday
Mark Grace - Wednesday
Mike Montgomery - Saturday
Ozzie Smith - Thursday
Pat Zachry - Sunday*
Pedro Strop - Friday
Pete Rose - Sunday
Reggie Jackson - Saturday
Rico Petrocelli***
Roberto Alomar - Thursday
Robin Yount - Thursday
Ron Davis - Saturday*
Ron LeFlore - Sunday*
Scott Williamson - Thursday*
Steve Carlton - Thursday
Steve Trachsel - Friday*
Steve Trout - Saturday*
Todd Hundley - Wednesday*
Tom Browning - Wednesday
Vern Law - Friday*
Football
Andre Reed - Sunday
Andre Ware - Friday
Barry Sanders - Saturday
Bill Polian  - Friday
Bob Griese - Sunday
Brian Urlacher - Saturday
Bruce Smith - Sunday
Charles White - Saturday*
Charlie Joiner - Wednesday*
Dave Robinson - Wednesday
Dan Dierdorf - Sunday
Deion Sanders - Friday
Dick Butkus - Sunday
Eric Dickerson - Friday
Gary Beban - Friday*
George Rogers - Friday*
Hines Ward - Sunday
Jack Ham - Sunday
Jack Youngblood - Thursday
James Lofton - Sunday
Jason Taylor - Sunday
Jerome Bettis - Saturday
Jim Kelly - Sunday
Jim McMahon - Saturday
Joe Greene - Friday
Joe Theismann - Saturday
John Cappelletti - Friday
Johnny Rodgers - Thursday*
Ken Anderson - Wednesday
Lawrence Taylor - Saturday
Lou Holtz - Saturday
Marshall Faulk - Saturday
Marv Levy - Sunday
Michael Irvin - Friday
Mike Hartenstine - Sunday*
Mike Rozier - Sunday
Mike Singletary  - Saturday
Paul Hornung - Friday
Paul Warfield- Friday
Ron Dayne - Saturday*
Ron Wolf  - Friday
Steve Largent - Saturday
Terrell Davis - Friday
Thurman Thomas - Sunday
Troy Smith - Friday
Warren Sapp - Saturday
Will Shields - Friday
Willie Lanier - Friday
Hockey
Bobby Hull - Saturday
Brett Hull - Saturday
Cam Neely - Friday
Chris Chelios  - Friday
Ed Belfour  - Friday
Guy LaFleur - Saturday
Jeremy Roenick - Saturday
Phil Esposito - Friday
Ray Bourque - Friday
Ron Duguay - Wednesday**
Basketball
Bill Cartwright - Thursday*
Bobby Knight - Friday
Dennis Rodman - Friday
Earl Monroe - Saturday
Julius Erving  - Saturday
Kevin McHale - Sunday
Lenny Wilkens  - Saturday
Nate Archibald - Wednesday**
Oscar Robertson - Saturday
Rick Barry - Friday
Boxing
Mike Tyson - Cancelled
Roberto Duran - Friday
Tommy Hearns - Friday
Wrestling
Bill Goldberg - Saturday
Cycling
Lance Armstrong - Saturday
Entertainment
Henry Winkler  - Saturday
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Cards
2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Exclusive Cards
Of course, we can't forget about the free cards! The 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention is good for multiple exclusives from the various card companies. Details will be added for each manufacturer as they are announced.
Topps
Celebrating the 1987 Topps Baseball design, VIP and Super VIP tickets reward collectors with an exclusive set featuring all-time MLB legends. Super VIPs get two sets. The five-card set includes MLB legends from multiple eras with the National logo.
2017 Topps NSCC 1987 VIP Set Checklist
Ken Griffey Jr.
Nolan Ryan
Ted Williams
2017 Topps NSCC Wrapper Redemption Set
There is also the popular wrapper redemption that pays tribute to Bowman with an exclusive Refractor set and random autographs. Complete info and a checklist for the 2017 Bowman Chrome NSCC set is available in our detailed product profile.
In addition, Topps is hosting their annual VIP party that helps get the National underway on July 26. This year includes free signings from Nate Archibald of the NBA Hall of Fame, as well as Jose Canseco (MLB) and Ron Duguay (NHL). The trio will also be signing for free on the show floor during the NSCC Sneak Peak on Wednesday.
Panini
Not to be outdone, Panini provides those with VIP tickets a ten-card set covering rookie stars of baseball, basketball and football. There is also the popular Panini wrapper redemption program, loaded with multi-sport stars and some limited autographs and relics.
2017 Panini National VIP Set Checklist
Football
Christian McCaffrey - Carolina Panthers
DeShaun Watson - Houston Texans
Leonard Fournette - Jacksonville Jaguars
Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Bears
Baseball
Alex Bregman - Houston
Andrew Benintendi - Boston
Dansby Swanson - Atlanta
Yoan Moncada - Chicago
Basketball
Lonzo Ball - UCLA
Jayson Tatum - Duke
2017 Panini National VIP Party Cards
A little more VIP action comes courtesy of the Panini VIP Party. The event includes drinks, famous athletes and, of course, more exclusive cards. A breakdown of the set and growing checklist is provided in our 2017Â Panini National VIP Party profile.
Upper Deck
Likewise, Upper Deck has their own assortment of choices at the 2017 National. There is a five-card VIP set featuring top basketball and football subjects, as well as their wrapper redemption program that includes 20 cards in the main set and rare autographs.
2017 UD NSCC Prominent Cuts VIP Set Checklist
VIP-1 Michael Jordan
VIP-2 Connor McDavid
VIP-3 LeBron James
VIP-4 Ben Simmons
VIP-5 Patrick Roy
In addition, those collectors who purchase any five packs of 2015-16 Upper Deck Hockey products at the show are eligible for the Chicago Legends promotional cards.
2017 UD NSCC Chicago Legends Set Checklist
Bobby Hull
Jonathan Toews
Michael Jordan
Patrick Kane
Stan Mikita
There is also a premium memorabilia product—Upper Deck Monumental Multi-Sport—that includes five signed UD Authenticated pieces in a blind-box format. While the price tag of $1,000 is steep, the release features some of the biggest sports figures and only 100 total boxes.
Leaf
Leaf joins in on the action with a two-card set for VIP holders. There are three different promos for 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention exclusive cards.
2017 Leaf NSCC VIP Set Checklist
Conor McGregor / Floyd Mayweather
Vin Scully
The purchase of any Leaf product (2011 to 2017) at the Leaf booth enters you into a drawing for a 2017 Leaf Conor McGregor / Floyd Mayweather Dual Autograph (#/5).
If you open a box of 2016-17 In The Game Used Hockey, you receive one limited Jack Eichel relic card. Push that purchase to a case and you get the full five-card relic set for Eichel and a Nolan Patrick / Nico Hischier Dual Autograph.
Finally, the 2017 Leaf Pop Century promo promises a one-of-one Blank Back card for buying a box, while a case yields six Blank Backs and a one-of-one Pop Century Signature card.
Ultra Pro
Although Ultra Pro does not have any cards to give away, each VIP and Dealer bag includes their card measuring guide. There is also a raffle entry for a chance to win Ultra Pro supplies, signed memorabilia, and the grand prize: a 40" flat-screen television. Kids can get in on the fun with free breaks each day. Visit their booth (#672) for more info and to check out their newest products to protect your collection.
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Paul Ladd
Who do I contact for a media credential. I will be representing a newspaper. Thanks.
Trey Treutel
Paul: You would need to contact the National directly at http://nsccshow.com/media-information/