Card Show Weekend Preview May 1 to 3: Trading Card Con Chicago Headlines a Coast-to-Coast Slate

The first weekend of May brings one of the busiest card show calendars of the spring. Trading Card Con returns to the Hilton Chicago for a three-day flagship event, and a long ladder of regional shows fills out Saturday and Sunday across the country. Whether you are flying in for a national show or driving thirty minutes to a Saturday-only local, this is a weekend with options.

The National: Trading Card Con — Hilton Chicago, May 1 to 3

Trading Card Con is one of the most respected national-level shows in the calendar, and the Chicago stop has historically drawn a strong mix of vintage dealers, modern breakers, and high-end consignment specialists. Doors open Friday morning with VIP early access, with general admission running through Sunday afternoon. Expect:

• A heavy presence from major auction houses including Goldin, Heritage, and PWCC scouts
• An on-site PSA submission window with same-show drop-off
• A robust break floor with multiple high-end basketball and baseball case rips
• Guest appearances and signing tables on the show floor

If you are going to do one show this spring and you are within driving range of the Midwest, this is the pick.

Cards & More Tour — Also Chicago, May 1 to 3

The Cards & More Tour is running an event in Chicago the same weekend at a separate venue. The two shows have built up a complementary presence over the past two years rather than a competing one, and many dealers do double duty. If you are already in town for Trading Card Con, it is worth checking the Cards & More schedule and floor map.

Saturday-Only Regional Shows — May 2

For collectors who do not want to travel, May 2 has one of the deepest single-day rosters of the year. Confirmed shows include:

• Lynnwood, WA — Pacific Northwest collectors' staple
• Madison, IN — riverside small-show with a strong vintage table count
• Tupelo, MS — solid mid-South option
• Brewer, ME — biggest collected event in northern New England this month
• Brownsburg, IN — quick drive from Indianapolis
• West Palm Beach, FL — South Florida regional
• Shakopee, MN — Twin Cities-area Saturday show

And Erie, PA gets a two-day window

The Erie show at Millcreek Mall runs Friday May 1 from 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturday May 2 from 10 AM to 7 PM. Strong breaker presence and a solid sealed wax section make it worth the trip from northern Ohio or western New York.

Sunday Shows — May 3

Sunday adds another wave of regional events for collectors making a weekend of it:

• Boston, MA — major New England show with strong dealer turnout
• Secaucus, NJ — easy NYC-area access
• Rosemont, IL — second Chicago-area option for anyone still in town
• Portsmouth, NH — coastal New England Sunday show
• Myrtle Beach, SC — coastal Carolina collectors' regular
• Waite Park, MN — central Minnesota Sunday option

Tips for Working a Multi-Show Weekend

If you are planning to hit more than one show this weekend, set price targets before you walk in. The dealer-to-dealer pricing dynamic can move quickly across two days, and it is easy to either overpay early or miss a card waiting for a better price. Bring a checklist, bring cash, and verify dealer credit-card surcharges before you commit at the table.

The first weekend of May is one of the strongest weekends for breaker representation we see all year. If you are buying spots in a break, do it on the show floor where you can see the wax and meet the breaker face to face.

Use this preview as a starting point. Check the Trading Card Database and your regional Facebook groups for the latest dealer lists and any last-minute schedule changes before you head out.