Trading Card Con comes to New Orleans, Louisiana, on May 15-17, 2026, for what organizers are calling the biggest trading card event in the region. This three-day convention is a celebration of everything in the trading card hobby, from sports cards and graded slabs to Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana, Dragon Ball Z, and every other major TCG title on the market. Whether you are a competitive tournament player, a sealed product collector, a vintage card hunter, or a family looking for a fun weekend out, Trading Card Con has something for everyone under one massive roof.
The convention features a sprawling exhibit hall filled with hundreds of vendor booths, exclusive product releases, live breaks, and interactive experiences. Expect to find everything from raw singles and complete sets to PSA 10 graded slabs, autographed memorabilia, rare promos, and limited-edition convention exclusives. The dedicated Pikachu Hall offers a Pokemon-focused experience with vendor tables, artwork, and activities centered around the world's most popular trading card game. Sports card vendors will be well represented with inventory covering MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, boxing, and international soccer leagues.
Tickets are available in several tiers to match every budget and level of fandom. Single-day general admission is $25, providing access to the exhibit hall and all open programming for one day. The three-day weekend pass is $40, giving you full access from Friday through Sunday. The Gym Badge tier at $100 includes full weekend access, early entry to the Pikachu Hall, priority lines for the exhibit hall, and a free event T-shirt. For the ultimate VIP experience, the $200 Master Ball package includes everything in the Gym Badge tier plus a free swag bag, meal and drink vouchers for two per day, and first access to celebrity photo ops and autograph sessions. All badge tiers can also be purchased at the door for the same price, subject to availability.
Convention hours are Friday from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The venue is centrally located in downtown New Orleans with easy access from the French Quarter, the Warehouse District, and major hotels. Paid parking is available at the convention center garage and nearby surface lots. Public transit via the streetcar line drops you within walking distance of the venue entrance.
Who should attend? Absolutely everyone in the hobby. Competitive TCG players can browse singles to perfect their decks, while casual collectors can explore thousands of cards across every era and category. Families will enjoy the interactive exhibits, cosplay opportunities, and kid-friendly programming. Dealers and investors will appreciate the volume of foot traffic and the opportunity to buy, sell, and network with other professionals in the industry. Tips for attendees include booking your hotel early since New Orleans events fill up fast, budgeting across all three days to avoid impulse buys, and wearing comfortable shoes for long hours on the convention floor. For full event details, vendor applications, and badge purchases, visit tradingcardcon.com.