2021 National Sports Collectors Convention NSCC Guide
Celebrating the 41st NSCC for a second year, the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago marks the return to the Windy City, which last hosted the National in 2019.
As 2020 showed us, nothing is set in stone. The 2020 NSCC in Atlantic City was initially postponed and later canceled due to the ongoing issues with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ultimate 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention NSCC Guide
Featuring many autograph signers, giveaways and promotions, plus cards and other collectibles as far as the eye can see, the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention is the biggest collecting event of the year for sports fans.
Whether you are attending the convention to track down missing cards from your collection or just to catch up with old friends, NSCC is an annual destination for many in the hobby.
See also: National Sports Collectors Convention Survival Guide
FutureΒ National Sports Collectors Convention Locations
- Atlantic City in 2022 (*moved from Cleveland*) - NSCC Guide
- Chicago in 2023
Overview
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Details
Dates: July 28 to August 1, 2021
Where is it? Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018)
Get the full details for the venue and view directions to the Rosemont convention center.
The interactive Google Maps section below offers a look at the immediate area so you can start planning.
Where to stay? Collectors already certain they will attend can look into the discounted NSCC hotel room rates.
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Show Dates and Times
- Wednesday, July 28 - 4 PM to 8 PM (Sneak Peek)
- Thursday, July 29 - 10 AM to 6 PM
- Friday, July 30 - 10 AM to 6 PM
- Saturday, July 31 - 10 AM to 6 PM
- Sunday, August 1 - 10 AM to 5 PM
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Tickets
For those fans and collectors in the immediate area, a basic daily ticket is likely the best choice. However, if you are traveling from farther away and/or planning to attend all five days, the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention VIP ticket packages might be worth a look.
In addition to admittance every day of the show, including the Wednesday Night Sneak Peek, there are various perks associated with each choice. Depending on the level, that can include early admission, free parking, free autographs and first-in-line autograph privileges.
If you are not sure which VIP package works best, there's a rundown of the different tiers.
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Ticket Prices
*Online tickets add a $1 service fee.*
- Children (12 and under): Free all week
- General Admission: $19/day in advance, $22/day at the show
- VIP Package: $139 in advance, $149 at the show (SOLD OUT)
- Super VIP Package: $199 in advance, $209 at the show (SOLD OUT)
- All-Access VIP: $269 in advance, $279 at the show (SOLD OUT)
- All-Access Super VIP: $319 in advance, $329 at the show (SOLD OUT)
Signers
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Autograph Signers
The planned lineup of signers at the TriStar Autograph Pavilion for the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention can be seen below.Β The autograph tickets are available now.
Visit Tristar for regular updates, including any cancellations and time changes.
2021 NSCC Autograph Signers List
Subject to change. *VIP ticket signers noted.* **VIP Party signers noted.**
Baseball
Jeff Bagwell
Stan Bahnsen - VIP
Johnny Bench
Vida Blue
Jeff Burroughs - VIP
Chris Carpenter
Jack Clark - VIP
Roger Clemens
Cecil Cooper - VIP
Marty Cordova
Andre Dawson
R.A. Dickey
Darrell Evans - VIP
Cecil Fielder - VIP Party
Rollie Fingers
Steve Garvey
Rich Gossage
Ozzie Guillen
Felix Hernandez
Fergie Jenkins
Andruw Jones
Chipper Jones
Wally Joyner - VIP Party
Ron Kittle - VIP
Chuck Knoblauch
Greg Luzinski - VIP
Fred Lynn
Juan Marichal
Gary Matthews Sr.
Denny McLain
Brian McRae - VIP
Dale Murphy
Graig Nettles
David Ortiz
Dave Parker
Mike Piazza
Ivan Rodriguez
Pete Rose
Bret Saberhagen
Ryne Sandberg
Ted Simmons
Lee Smith
Ozzie Smith
Dave Stewart
Tim Stoddard - VIP
Jim Thome
Alan Trammell
Larry Walker
Frank White
Mike Witt
Football
Jerome Bettis
Dave Casper
Jim Covert
Curley Culp
Joe DeLamielleure - VIP
Eric Dickerson
Marshall Faulk
Antonio Gates
Joe Greene
Ray Guy
Dante Hall
Dan Hampton
Ted Hendricks
Michael Irvin
Dexter Jackson - VIP
Charlie Joiner - VIP
Luke Kuechly
Ray Lewis
Tom Mack
Drew Pearson
Jim Plunkett
John Randle
Spencer Rattler
Dave Robinson
Barry Sanders
Billy Shaw - VIP
Art Shell
Will Shields
Billy Sims
Emmitt Smith
Jan Stenerud - VIP Party
Lynn Swann
Jason Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Thurman Thomas
Gino Torretta
Everson Walls - VIP
Jack Youngblood
Basketball
Nate Archibald
Rick Barry
Randy Brown - VIP
Bill Cartwright
Michael Cooper
Bob Dandridge
George Gervin
Gail Goodrich
Horace Grant
Ron Harper
Toni Kukoc
Cliff Levingston - VIP
Kevin McHale
Calvin Murphy - VIP
Charles Oakley
Robert Parish
Byron Scott
Bill Walton
James Worthy
Hockey
Chris Chelios
Bobby Hull
Brett Hull
Wrestling
Ric Flair
Hulk Hogan
Entertainment
Ari Lehman - Friday the 13th
Patrick Rena - The Sandlot
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention NSCC Tristar Autograph Pavilion Signers Schedule
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- Click for times
Cards
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Exclusive Cards
Exclusive cards are yet another appealing part of the NSCC experience. Most of the major manufacturers offer multiple choices. This includes VIP sets as an added perk for the VIP tickets, plus various wrapper redemption programs for those purchasing sealed wax at the National.
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Wrapper Redemption Cards
Additional set details will be added when known.Β
2021 Panini NSCC Exclusive EventsΒ
Visitors to the Panini both can find the Silver Pack redemption along with Box Wars, free kids case breaks, "Panini Americaβs highly anticipated Kids Crate program," and the Live Redemption Trade-Up program.
2021 Panini NSCC Silver Packs Redemption Exclusive Cards
To acquire the exclusive Panini cards at the National, collectors must purchase boxes from select retailers at the show. This year, only five specific box formats are eligible for the promotion.
2021 Topps NSCC Exclusive EventsΒ
Visit the Topps booth (#676) to get in on the NSCC excitement, including "giveaways, pack wars, a trading card wall, special guest appearances and more!"
2021 Topps NSCC Box Break Redemption Exclusive Cards
Awarded to those purchasing select 2021 Topps Hobby boxes from designated retailers at the show, the 2021 Topps National Sports Collectors Convention Wrapper Redemption exclusive set features the 2021 Bowman Baseball design. Subjects include past and present MLB players along with key prospects.
2021 Upper Deck NSCC EventsΒ
Upper Deck doesn't have a booth for the National this year, but VIP ticket holders can find "limited-edition" UD breaking mats in the gift bags.
Visit the Main Stage at 3:00 PM Thursday for Upper Deck announcements and free box breaks.
The GTS booth will be hosting Upper Deck's welcome raffle (Friday at 3:00 PM) and the unscratched expired redemption raffle (Saturday at 11:00 AM).
2021 Upper Deck NSCC Box Break Redemption Exclusive Cards
In addition, UD is still providing a wrapper redemption set. These Summer Promo Pack offerings are available through select retailers at the show displaying signs for the black packs.
2021 Leaf NSCC Box Break Redemption Exclusive Cards
Fans opening certain Leaf boxes at the 2021 NSCC can take advantage of the box break redemption. For each box opened, collectors are awarded one 1992 Pro Set card featuring 2021 NFL draftees. The five-card XRC set also offers ultra-short-print black-and-white editions.
- Justin Fields
- Mac Jones
- Trevor Lawrence
- Trey Lance
- Zach Wilson
- Justin Fields
- Mac Jones
- Trevor Lawrence
- Trey Lance
- Zach Wilson
2021 Leaf NSCC Case Break Redemption Exclusive Cards
In addition, those opening a case can earn a box of the exclusive 2021 Leaf National Signature Series, which has a one-of-one autograph in each box.
2021 Wild Card NSCC Box Break Redemption Exclusive Cards
Featuring football prospects, the 2021 Wild Card National Redemption program covers the pricey Hobby format. Purchase the 2021 Wild Card Matte Black or White box at the show and take it to booth #773 to open it.
The first 500 collectors to do so can earn one 2021 Wild Card 30th Anniversary Football box with four autographs and five Stripes parallels.
VIP Cards
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Exclusive VIP Cards
By purchasing a 2021 NSCC VIP ticket package, the exclusive cards are already waiting for you. If you buy the Super VIP tickets, you earn two of each VIP set.
2021 Panini NSCC VIP CardsΒ Β
- VIP1 Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars
- VIP2 Zach Wilson - New York Jets
- VIP3 Justin Fields - Chicago Bears
- VIP4 Trey Lance - San Francisco 49ers
- VIP5 LaMelo Ball - Charlotte Hornets
- VIP6 Anthony Edwards - Minnesota Timberwolves
- VIP7 Tyrese Haliburton - Sacramento Kings
- VIP8 Wander Franco - Tampa Bay Rays
- VIP9 Jarred Kelenic - Seattle Mariners
- VIP10 Julio Rodriguez - Seattle Mariners
2021 Leaf NSCC VIP CardsΒ (4-card set)
- Blaze Jordan
- Justin Fields
- Spencer Torkelson
- Trevor Lawrence
Events
2021 National Sports Collectors Convention Events
Many of the sports card and memorabilia companies are hosting VIP events. They either require a paid ticket or have some other stipulation for entry.
Onyx Authenticated VIP Party
Dave & Busters - July 29 at 7 PM.Β
For $899 per person, the event features Randy Johnson, Fergie Jenkins, Frank Gore and Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. Attendees also receive food, drinks and exclusive items.
Chicago Events
Other Events Around Chicago During NSCC 2021
Given the current pandemic issues, there are no guarantees in terms of what will be happening during the National. Nevertheless, Chicago is obviously a major destination for tourists and that includes sports and much more.
The popular music festival Lollapalooza takes place the same weekend at Hutchinson Field Grant Park. The lineup includes Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, Tyler the Creator, Megan Thee Stallion and many more. Get Lollapalooza tickets on Stubhub.
As for live sports, top options include MLB games. We've identified the baseball games in Chicago that are scheduled around the NSCC timeframe.
Chicago Cubs Game Tickets
- Mon, Jul 26 vs. Cincinnati Reds - Buy on Stubhub.
- Tue, Jul 27 vs. Cincinnati Reds - Buy on Stubhub.
- Wed, Jul 28 vs. Cincinnati Reds - Buy on Stubhub.
- Thu, Jul 29 vs. Cincinnati Reds - Buy on Stubhub.
- Fri, Aug 6 vs. Chicago White Sox - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sat, Aug 7 vs. Chicago White Sox - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sun, Aug 8 vs. Chicago White Sox - Buy on Stubhub.
Chicago White Sox Game Tickets
- Fri, Jul 30 vs. Cleveland Indians - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sat, Jul 31 vs. Cleveland Indians - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sun, Aug 1 vs. Cleveland Indians - Buy on Stubhub.
- Tue, Aug 3 vs. Kansas City Royals - Buy on Stubhub.
- Wed, Aug 4 vs. Kansas City Royals - Buy on Stubhub.
- Thu, Aug 5 vs. Kansas City Royals - Buy on Stubhub.
- Fri, Aug 6 @ Chicago Cubs - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sat, Aug 7 @ Chicago Cubs - Buy on Stubhub.
- Sun, Aug 8 @ Chicago Cubs - Buy on Stubhub.
The NWSL's Chicago Red Stars are also in action that weekend against the Washington Spirit on August 1.
In addition to being a hub for the four major sports (Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Chicago Blackhawks), the city is well-known for its premier cultural, dining and shopping options.
If you've never been to Chicago, this U.S. News article offers a solid overview of the classic landmarks and sites worth checking out.
More
Previous NSCC Information
- 2020 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide (Atlantic City)
- 2019 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide (Chicago)
- 2018 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide (Cleveland)Β
- 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention Guide (Chicago)Β
- 2016Β National Sports Collectors Convention GuideΒ (Atlantic City)
- 2015Β National Sports Collectors Convention Guide (Chicago)
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Blaised Cards
Thank you some much for the immediate response and the information. Look forward to being there. Thanks again, Much appreciated!