Sports
Fanatics Fest NYC to Host Star-Studded Competition in June
NEW YORK — Fanatics Fest NYC is set to return to the Javits Center from June 20-22, featuring a star-studded lineup of athletes and celebrities. Hall of Famer and NHL legend Hughes will join other elite figures during this exciting event.
The inaugural Fanatics Fest, which took place in August 2024, became a huge success, attracting more fans than anticipated. Lance Fensterman, the CEO of Fanatics Events, said, “We were putting something truly new and original into the world… it vastly exceeded our expectations.”
This year’s event promises even more excitement with increased participation from major sports leagues including the English Premier League and UEFA, as well as new live podcast stages. Fensterman added, “We have a ton of new merchandise and exclusives that you can only get at the show.”
A highlight of this year’s festival will be the brand-new Fanatics Games, where 50 lucky fans will compete against 50 athletes and celebrities in various sports events. The competition will include hockey, baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, soccer, golf, and UFC, with a grand prize of $1 million for the winner.
Top athletes such as Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, and Rob Gronkowski will also be participating, adding to the competitive spirit. Fensterman mentioned how this idea came about: “What if we did a competition with the greatest athletes and a bunch of fans competing against each other?”
Attendees will also have the chance to win prizes for their attire, similar to last year’s event where the best-dressed fan won tickets to major sporting events. Fensterman encouraged everyone to dress up again this year.
Stars including James, Peyton and Eli Manning, Mike Piazza, and celebrities like Kevin Costner and Tiffany Haddish will also be present. Tickets for the event can be purchased online.
The anticipation is high for this year’s event, and Fensterman is optimistic about building on last year’s success. “We know we can do so much more, so much better,” he concluded.
