Day certainly one of Fanatics Fest NYC kicked off with a high-energy celebration of sports activities, tradition, and collectibles, drawing followers and legends alike to the guts of the motion. With panels, reside activations, uncommon memorabilia, and jaw-dropping shock moments, the pageant’s opening day set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.

The 40/40 Membership Introduced by Fanatics Sportsbook returned to the middle of the occasion for a second yr, remodeled into an immersive hub the place sports activities, leisure, and fandom collided. Followers packed in for a full day of content material throughout Fanatics Video games, Middle Stage, and a stacked lineup of unique panels.

Among the many standout moments, NFL legend Tom Brady introduced a younger fan’s dream to life via Fanatics’ partnership with Make-A-Want. Twelve-year-old Axton Robertson, together with two different Make-A-Want recipients, started the day with a personal buying spree and heartwarming meet-and-greets—one with Brady, one other with Travis Scott, and a 3rd with full entry to the fest’s star-studded choices.

In the meantime, collectors and sports activities historians had been handled to a media preview of the “Museum of Greatness,”showcasing over $200 million in iconic buying and selling playing cards and memorabilia from legends like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani, Babe Ruth, and extra.

The primary stage lit up with a slew of high-profile conversations, together with the “Solely in New York: 27 Rings” panel that includes Yankees icons Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, and particular visitor Spike Lee. Followers erupted in a standing ovation as Jeter made his long-awaited return to New York, whereas panelists paid tribute to Bernie Williams for his lasting influence on Yankees historical past.

Including to the day’s lighter moments, Brady walked into his inexperienced room solely to seek out 20 Gronk lookalikes ready. He was tasked with recognizing the actual Rob Gronkowski, in a viral second captured by Michael Rubin.

Later, Tom Brady, Emma Roberts, and Logan Paul joined Chris Costa for the “Prepared. Set. Acquire.” panel, diving into the world of celeb collectors and the rise of high-end memorabilia tradition. On one other stage, Kevin Costner was inducted into the Sports activities Movies Corridor of Fame, with the ceremony hosted by Michael Strahan.

Expertise met way of life as Meta and Oakley teamed up with Michael Rubin, Travis Scott, and Tom Brady to debut the AI-powered Oakley Meta HSTN good glasses throughout a reside reveal, earlier than the day ended with a shock Travis Scott efficiency that introduced the gang to its ft.

Over on the Elevating Cane’s activation, the sudden showdown of the day got here within the type of a rooster finger consuming contest, that includes Joey Chestnut, Livvy Dunne, DJ Khaled, Druski, and Michael Rubin. The gang roared as Adin Ross hilariously ducked out of competitors—actually hiding beneath the desk.

Within the Fanatics Video games, Tom Brady led the scoreboard, adopted by fan Matt Dennish and Eli Manning. Throughout the WWE Walkout Problem, Brady tore Manning’s jersey in half, prompting Manning to leap on Brady’s again in a second straight out of sports activities leisure. In the meantime, Gronk confirmed off shock hockey expertise, and Bryce Younger and CJ Stroud took their rivalry to the court docket in a spirited NBA Across the World problem.

The Fanatics Sportsbook & On line casino Lounge debuted its 21+ expertise, drawing followers into an expensive sports-meets-gaming environment. One fortunate fan walked away with $10,000 in FanCash after profitable the Spin to Win problem.

To shut out the day, the “New York vs. the World” panel—that includes Suni Lee, Malik Nabers, Russell Wilson, Allan Houston, Stephon Marbury, and Vince Carter—provided a playful back-and-forth with the viewers, as host Noah Eagle teased the panelists in regards to the pressures of performing in New York. Every athlete was invited to “boo” the gang in response—ending the day on a light-hearted and basic NYC notice.

With this type of momentum, day certainly one of Fanatics Fest NYC proved that sports activities, leisure, and tradition are extra linked than ever—and this pageant is the place all of it involves play.