The London Card Show Hits New Heights with Over 6,000 Collectors and Iconic Collectibles

London, 4th November, 2024 – The 14th edition of the London Card Show wrapped up in spectacular style as over 6,000 attendees gathered at Sandown Park Racecourse, just 30 minutes from London in Surrey, for an unforgettable weekend. The sold-out weekend show, held on 2nd and 3rd November, brought together collectors, influencers, and fans from around the globe, affirming the show’s status as the UK and Europe’s leading gathering for trading card and collectibles enthusiasts. From iconic collectibles to interactive sessions with special guests, the event was a thrilling showcase of the ever-growing passion within the trading cards collecting community.

One of the weekend’s highlights was the appearance of English football legend Paul Merson, who captivated fans with his charismatic presence, holding an exclusive Q&A session, signing autographs, and interacting with fans on Sunday. Known for his incredible skills and entertaining commentary, Merson’s insights into both his career and the collectibles world delighted sports enthusiasts, offering a unique blend of nostalgia and inspiration for all who attended. 

Renowned American voice actress Tara Sands, known for her roles in the Pokémon series as the iconic character ‘Bulbasaur’ and other fan-favourite characters, connected with fans during a fun Q&A. Reflecting on her early days voicing Bulbasaur, Sands shared, “On my first day on Pokémon, I was only supposed to play a small character named Melanie in Episode 10. They suddenly played the Japanese voice of Bulbasaur and asked me to match the vocal quality but say 'Bulbasaur' instead. I did it without realising how much this role would resonate with fans worldwide. And the rest is history.” Sands also noted how events like the London Card Show can create lasting connections, “I love that events like this exist. Kids who grew up watching Pokémon now have kids of their own, and they share their passion for the franchise with each other. Events like this keep growing as more generations try to ‘catch 'em all’.”

Once again, the recent London Card Show attracted some of the rarest and most valuable collectibles. One attendee showcased a remarkable Wolverine card - one of a kind in the whole world - from Topps’ first ever Chrome collection for Marvel Comics - adding to the electric buzz surrounding the weekend, delighting attendees and serious collectors! Describing it as “a 1/1 Superfractor Wolverine 50th Anniversary card – 1 in 87,000 boxes and 1 in 1,044,000 packs,” the card’s owner shared how the piece has “already drawn attention from around the world”, and they’ve already received offers from high-profile collectors including renowned DJ Steve Aoki. Experts say the card is worth more than £100,000, making it not just one of the most valuable cards in the Marvel Universe, but one of the most expensive cards in the world!

Another collector revealed a Hulk 1/1 Marvel Topps Chrome card from the Sapphire Edition Box - a piece that’s said to be super valuable to the right buyer and again only one such piece across the world. On display at the London Card Show were other coveted and one-of-a-kind items from Pokémon, Star Wars, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Disney, giving enthusiasts the chance to buy or admire some of the most coveted cards in existence.

The event’s energy was amplified by the presence of several renowned content creators and celebrities from the worlds of entertainment, sports and gaming - including the likes of prominent gaming influencer and trading card enthusiast, elrubiusOMG, who has more than 40 Million subscribers on YouTube, West Ham presenter and podcaster jaackmaate and popular standup comedian and actor Guz Khan.

Highlights also included a live Whatnot stream, Topps collection box breaks, and a box breaks by well-known Pokémon influencers Poki Chloe and Poke Dean. Fans also had the opportunity to participate in the Pokémon Trainer Challenge, attend the popular “Risk It or Leave It” session, and explore the Retro Gaming Zone, where nostalgic classics like Pacman and Street Fighter transported attendees back to their childhoods.

The Kids Zone, a family favourite, was buzzing with activities ranging from custom card creation workshops to interactive box breaks. Notable Lorcana artist Milica Celikovic hosted an art workshop and delighted young fans with conversation about her work on Hearthstone and Minion Masters as well as signing autographs.

Reflecting on the weekend’s success, Harry Reynolds, CEO and Founder of the London Card Show, commented, “We’ve been thrilled by the incredible turnout and the energy brought by collectors, creators, and enthusiasts from all over. Seeing more than 6,000 people come together because of their love of cards proves just how vibrant and passionate this community is. Each event keeps growing, and we’re proud to offer such a dynamic and inclusive space where everyone can share in this hobby.”

The London Card Show has continued to expand with every edition, the event now serves as a hub for collectors and fans eager to share their passion with like-minded enthusiasts, who can connect with a global community. This November’s gathering set a new standard, bringing together rare collectibles, beloved public figures, and a shared love for trading cards that spans generations. With its largest attendance to date - and plans already underway for the next show on 8th and 9th February, 2025 - the London Card Show is cementing its place as a must-visit destination for card enthusiasts from around the world.

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Editors notes

For media enquiries or interviews with Founder & CEO Harry Reynolds and COO Katie Hughes, please contact gazal@plus1comms.com.

Tickets can be purchased at www.londoncardshow.co.uk.

About London Card Show

Founded in 2021, the London Card Show was set up with a singular mission: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. What initially began as a gathering of 10 tables and 40 attendees has since blossomed into a spectacular weekend-long event, attracting over 6,000 enthusiasts from across the globe. Their journey has been ignited by the passion of fans, having recently been crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year!

Harry Reynolds, Founder & CEO of the London Card Show

Harry Reynolds, a natural-born entrepreneur, embarked on his journey at a young age, continually seeking innovative ways to seize opportunities and bridge market gaps. His passion for trading cards began during university, where he turned a £10 investment into an impressive £10,000 after discovering the value of cards. Harry's YouTube live streams and TikTok presence catapulted him into the UK card community, where he gained recognition for his unique trading card mystery box breaks. With unwavering determination, he pioneered the London Card Show, and saw it evolve from a small gathering to Europe's largest card event. Harry's dedication has led to global recognition, and he remains committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive card community for enthusiasts of all backgrounds.

Katie Hughes, Chief Operating Officer at the London Card Show

Katie Hughes, driven by a passion for creativity ignited during her school years, found her true calling in the world of marketing. After a marketing degree at university and six rewarding years within Hard Rock Cafe's marketing department, she embarked on a remarkable journey with the London Card Show. Initially unsure of what to expect from the card industry, she quickly fell in love with it. Her marketing strategy thrived on ingenuity, emphasising community engagement over traditional methods and achieving an exceptional 7% engagement rate, far surpassing industry standards. Her dedication and vision were instrumental in propelling the London Card Show to unprecedented success, doubling attendance and vendor tables within a year. Her dedication to her role, her family's support, and her commitment to the event's success have made her an indispensable asset to the London Card Show's remarkable transformation.

Tara Sands

Tara Sands has appeared on stage, in television and in all types of media doing voice over work. Her voice can be heard on hundreds of radio and TV commercials, audiobooks, video games, and on several popular cartoons including over 50 characters in the original English Pokemon series including Bulbasaur, Richie, Jasmine, Oddish, Yamper and Tori. Some other roles include Biscuit in HunterXHunter, Mokuba in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Kari in Digimon Adventure Tri, Anna in Shaman King, Curious in My Hero Academia, Momo and Utahime in Jujutsu Kaisen, Kirio Hikifume in Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, Kombu Infinity in One Punch Man, Circe in Generator Rex, Young Jin in Anohana, Filia in Slayers, Summer in Barbie: Life in The Dreamhouse, Death 13/Mannish Boy in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Namida in Boruto, Sonia in Fire Emblem, Kyu in Bungou Stray Dogs, Ruby in Rainbow High, and lots more.