Upcoming Trading Card Shows
📅 Top Card Shows & Events in Illinois (2025–2026)
Where Pokémon, TCG, Sports Cards & Collectibles Come Together
Whether you’re hunting for Pokémon singles, rare pulls, graded cards, or just want to meet fellow collectors, Illinois hosts tons of exciting card shows and trading-card events throughout the year. From large multi-day expos to monthly local shows, there’s always a chance to score big or trade your pulls.
🎴 Break Time Card Show — Kildeer, IL
📍 Concorde Banquets, Kildeer
🗓 December 19–21, 2025
A three-day trading card event featuring hundreds of vendor tables packed with Pokémon, TCG, sports cards, and collectibles. Expect buy/sell/trade action with deep inventory and great opportunities to find rare cards or negotiate trades. Break Time
Why go: Long hours spread over three days, lots of Pokémon inventory, and a classic Illinois card show experience.
🔥 Collectible Corner Card Show — Normal, IL
📍 Collectible Corner, Normal
🗓 December 20 & 21, 2025
A local favorite for all kinds of trading cards and collectibles, this show attracts dedicated dealers and casual fans alike. Pokémon cards, sports cards, and comic collectibles are all common sights. Trading Card Database
Why go: Great for regional collectors looking for deals and trades in central Illinois.
🏙 Sports Cards & Collectible Shows — Multiple Illinois Cities
Across Illinois, several multi-genre card shows occur at various locations, including Rockford, Bloomington, Springfield, Bedford Park, and Countryside. These shows are excellent opportunities to find Pokémon cards alongside sports cards and general collectibles. Trading Card Database
Why go: If you enjoy variety—everything from vintage cards to modern Pokémon pulls—these shows are worth visiting.
🎉 Poke Center Evolution Expo — Waukegan, IL
📍 La Bodega, Waukegan
🗓 December 27, 2025
A local expo with a distinct Pokémon vibe, blending traditional card show vendors with Pokémon fans, singles, sealed product, and fun community energy. Trading Card Database
Why go: Focused on Pokémon and TCG collectors rather than general sports cards.
🎊 Carpentersville Card Show
📍 OrthoIllinois Fieldhouse, Carpentersville
🗓 December 28, 2025
A weekend (Sunday) card show in the Chicago suburbs featuring trading cards of all types. Great for collectors who want to spend the weekend scoring deals. Trading Card Database
Why go: Suburban Chicago card show with plenty of vendor options.
🐉 Tinley Park Card Crawl — Tinley Park Convention Center
📍 18451 Convention Center Dr
🗓 September 28, 2025
Part of a multi-day traveling event series, the Tinley Park Card Crawl features vendors from across the Midwest with acres of Pokémon, TCG, comics, and collectibles for sale and trade. AllEvents
Why go: A bigger event with varied inventory and a fun community atmosphere.
🏙 Romeoville Illinois Card Crawl — Romeoville Athletic & Event Center
📍 55 Phelps Ave, Romeoville
🗓 September 26, 2025
Kicking off the Illinois Card Crawl, this event packs Pokémon cards and other collectibles into a festive evening show. AllEvents
Why go: A great opener for the weekend card crawl experience.
🎴 Collinsville Card Show (Monthly)
📍 2002 Mall Street, Collinsville
🗓 Multiple dates in 2025 (August 2, October 4, November 8, December 6)
One of Southern Illinois’ most consistent monthly card shows, the Collinsville Card Show brings together almost 100 vendor tables with Pokémon, sports cards, Magic, toys, and more. The Collinsville Card Show+3The Collinsville Card Show+3The Collinsville Card Show+3
Why go: Frequent events make Collinsville ideal for dedicated collectors and hobbyists who want regular opportunities to hunt cards.
📌 Other Notable & Regular Illinois Shows
The TCDB database lists additional card shows throughout 2025 and into 2026, including:
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Chicago A Very Poke Christmas – Pokémon-focused event near Schaumburg 🍍 Trading Card Database
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Chicago Trade Night & Largest Trade Night Shows – Card swapping and vendor meetups 🍍 Trading Card Database
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Illinois Valley Sportscard & Collectibles Shows – Broad selection of cards 🍍 Trading Card Database
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Collectors Vault & Collector Vault Card Shows – Market-style events 🍍 Trading Card Database
…plus seasonal shows in Carpentersville, Spring- fields, Route 66 (Bedford Park), and many more across the state. Trading Card Database
🧲 Tips for Visiting Card Shows in Illinois
✅ Come early — best tables and rare finds go fast
✅ Bring cash & binders — some vendors offer better prices in cash
✅ Know your set lists & values — use apps like TCGplayer or PriceGuide
✅ Network with vendors — regulars often hold back hard-to-find cards for repeat visitors
📍 Final Thoughts
Illinois is a treasure trove for card collectors. From big-ticket expos to monthly local shows, the state offers great chances to find Pokémon cards, trade with fellow collectors, and uncover rare gems. Whether you're chasing singles for a master set or just enjoy the thrill of the hunt, card shows across Illinois should definitely be on your radar!
Let us know which shows you’ve been to—or which ones you’re most excited about!
