Fanatics bills the festival as a sort of Comic Con for sports collectible fans. And much like Comic Con, where actual comic books are the ostensible focus, there is much more to Fanatics Fest than just trading cards. It’s becoming a significant branding opportunity for fashion and luxury brands seeking to target a high-value, sports-obsessed consumer.
It’s a good time for American brands to get in on the action, as several major soccer tournaments are set to take place in the U.S. over the next few years.