Hartlepool United will take its place alongside some of the biggest names and organisations in world sport later this month after securing a place at the renowned Fanatics Fest NYC for the first time in the Club’s history.

The four-day festival, taking place from 16-19 July at the Javits Center in New York City, has become one of the world’s biggest celebrations of sport, bringing together more than 500 elite athletes and celebrities alongside global sports organisations, leading brands, memorabilia collectors and sports fans.

While relatively unfamiliar to many supporters in the UK, Fanatics Fest has become one of the fastest-growing events in the American sporting calendar, with more than 200,000 people from around the world expected to attend this year’s festival and millions more engaging through global digital and social media coverage.

One of the world’s most unique sports festivals, it combines elite sport, live entertainment and the rapidly expanding sports collectibles industry (the ‘Hobby’) through athlete appearances, memorabilia, trading cards, interactive fan experiences and exclusive activations.

Among those attending this year’s festival are LeBron James, Tom Brady, Serena Williams, David Beckham, Shaquille O’Neal, Novak Djokovic, Kevin Durant, Kaká and Roberto Carlos, alongside clubs and official representatives from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WWE, UFC, Formula One and FIFA.

This year’s event also coincides with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final weekend, with Fanatics Fest hosting the official FIFA World Cup Final pre-match press conferences before staging New York City’s largest indoor FIFA World Cup Final watch party.

The Pools initiative has been spearheaded by Chairman and Owner Landon Smith, whose longstanding passion for sports collectibles and trading cards inspired the Club’s involvement.

Securing a place at Fanatics Fest is the culmination of months of planning and collaboration, giving Hartlepool United a unique ‘David and Goliath’ opportunity to showcase the Club alongside some of the biggest names and brands in world football and global sport.

At the centre of Fanatics Fest is the rapidly growing sports collectibles industry. Once seen as little more than a childhood hobby, trading cards have evolved into one of the fastest-growing global sports markets, worth billions, attracting collectors, athletes, investors and clubs alike.

Working in partnership with Fanatics and US-based Triple Diamond Sports Breaks, a leading name in the North American sports collectibles industry, Hartlepool United will deliver a four-day activation from a bespoke Victoria Park-themed exhibition space in a prime location at the heart of the main event space, right next to Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, the Premier League, the NHL and FIFA.

The activation will introduce Hartlepool United to collectors, sports fans, celebrities and commercial partners from across North America, while also reaching a global audience following the festival online.

Alongside exclusive memorabilia, supporter competitions, commercial networking opportunities and original digital content, the activation will celebrate the Club’s history, heritage and community.

The Club’s campaign will also feature items from Landon Smith’s personal sports card collection, together with exclusive hobby content from Hartlepool United Honorary President Jeff Stelling and Club Ambassador Savannah Marshall.

Landon Smith, Chairman and Owner of Hartlepool United, said: “Since coming to Hartlepool United, one of my priorities has been finding new ways to share the story of this great football club. The more time you spend at Pools, the more you realise what makes it special. It’s the people, the supporters and the sense of community that make this Club what it is, and that’s a story worth sharing.

“I’ve enjoyed collecting sports cards for a long time, and what started as a hobby has become a genuine passion that has introduced me to people, friendships and communities from all over the world. In many ways, the community aspect is similar to Pools. 

“Fanatics Fest is where much of the hobby and collector community comes together, so when the opportunity came for Pools to be part of it and to benefit from the US platform, it felt like a great fit and opportunity.

“We’ve had to work hard to secure our place, and it’s exciting that our Club will take the stage alongside some of the biggest sports stars and clubs in world sport at the event.

“I’m only a custodian of this football club, and part of my responsibility is to leave it stronger than I found it. If people leave Fanatics Fest knowing who Pools are, understanding what this Club stands for and wanting to follow our journey, then I think we’ll have achieved something worthwhile. Hopefully, though, we can achieve more than that and build valuable new connections and opportunities stateside.”

As part of the campaign, supporters will have the opportunity to win a range of exclusive prizes, including signed memorabilia, premium sports card collectibles and a VIP trip from the United States to watch Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.

Rose Stoker, Commercial and Operations Director at Hartlepool United, said:

“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often for a club like ours. Fanatics Fest gives us the chance to introduce Hartlepool United to thousands of people who may be discovering the Club for the first time, while building relationships with businesses and partners from across North America and beyond. 

“As a football club, we’re always looking for ways to grow while staying true to who we are. Taking Pools to an event of this scale allows us to showcase our history, our supporters and our community to a completely new audience, while creating long-term benefits for the Club both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve also built this campaign around our supporters. Whether you’re joining us in New York or following from Hartlepool, you’ll be able to experience the journey through exclusive content, competitions, behind-the-scenes access and live coverage throughout the festival.

“We’re incredibly proud to be representing Pools on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages. If this helps more people discover Hartlepool United, builds lasting relationships and gives our supporters another reason to be proud of their football club, then we’ll consider it a success.”

Supporters attending Fanatics Fest NYC will be able to visit the ‘Hartlepool United – Triple Diamond Sports’ exhibition space throughout the four-day festival. 

Those unable to attend can follow every stage of the Club’s journey through exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews, competitions and live updates across Hartlepool United’s official website and social media channels.