CardFest: The Card Show Arrives in Milan with Javier Zanetti

Milan, March 2026 - Collecting in Italy is experiencing a true golden age: according to data from the Circana research institute, collectibles recorded a growth of +37% in 2025, coming to represent 13% of the entire toy market. An unstoppable trend, driven by properties and licenses, which are growing seven times faster than the rest of the sector, reaching 30% of the total turnover. It is in this extremely flourishing context, supported by a vast and demanding community, that CardFest is born, a format that brings the energy and structure of major American card shows to Italy.

An event entirely dedicated to the hobby, where collectors can meet, trade, and celebrate their absolute passion for cards. The appointment is set for Saturday, April 11th, at the Quark Hotel Milano starting at 10:30 AM. An exhibition space of 1,500 square meters, over 150 tables, and more than 1,500 expected visitors. From sports cards to the most iconic TCGs like Pokémon, Magic, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, the show floor will host the rarest pieces and the latest market releases. To fully breathe the most authentic essence of this world, on Friday, April 10th - starting at 7:00 PM - the same location will host an exclusive Trade Night: an informal moment to sit together, complete sets, trade doubles, and perhaps even forge new friendships.

Guest of honor, Javier Zanetti. The historic captain of Inter, an undisputed symbol of Milan and an embodiment of rare values such as loyalty and leadership, will meet fans and collectors in an exclusive, limited-access meet & greet. During this special session, Zanetti will sign his official limited edition card, created by Topps solely for the event. But that's not all: the presence of the champion is linked to a noble cause. CardFest is proud to support the P.U.P.I. Foundation, the non-profit organization created in 2001 by Javier and Paula Zanetti that works tirelessly to protect the rights of children and adolescents in the most vulnerable areas of Buenos Aires, guaranteeing them education, healthcare, and food support.

And so CardFest prepares to revolutionize the Italian scene, drawing on experiences from fairs in the United States and Asia. Conceived by Omar Aamoum — collector, entrepreneur, and content creator, founder of Sportycards and face of DAZN's CULT program — this first edition boasts exceptional partners, ready to interact directly with their communities. The most avid fans will find plenty to sink their teeth into: Topps, a Fanatics Collectibles brand and leader in the sports trading card segment, will be the main partner of the event and will welcome all enthusiasts to a maxi-exhibition area full of activities, culminating with the release of an exclusive limited edition card specially created to celebrate the occasion. Meanwhile, eBay Live, main sponsor, will bring the typical adrenaline of the marketplace directly to the fair through unmissable real-time auctions.

All the ingredients are there: with exceptional guests, exclusives, events, and a continuously expanding community, CardFest promises to be an unforgettable meeting to celebrate this great passion. An opportunity not to be missed to experience the energy of collecting firsthand and discover the rarest pieces on the market. The date to mark in your diary is Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Quark Hotel in Milan!