The Philly Show Is This Weekend: Iverson, Dr. J, Emmitt Smith and a Room Full of Graders
The Philly Show runs September 25 to 27 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Presales are closed but tickets are available at the door. Here is the hours and admission list, the full Saturday signing schedule, and how to work a show this size.
The Biggest Card Show in the Northeast Is This Weekend
The Philly Show returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, Pennsylvania, from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27. It fills more than 140,000 square feet across multiple halls with modern and vintage sports cards, memorabilia, Pokemon and other TCGs, grading companies, auction houses and a full autograph pavilion.
Online presales ended Tuesday night, September 22, but admission and autograph tickets are still available at the door all weekend.
The Basics
- Location: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA 19456. Enter through the Hall A lobby.
- Friday: 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (VIP Fast Pass entry at 9:00)
- Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (VIP Fast Pass entry at 9:00)
- At-the-door admission: $15 Friday, $20 Saturday, $15 Sunday. Card payments carry a processing fee, so bring cash if you can.
- Discounts: kids 10 and under free with a paid adult. Active-duty military and veterans get half off with proof of service, purchased on site.
- Admission is per day and is required to enter the autograph pavilion, even if you already hold an autograph ticket.
Saturday Is the Big Signing Day
Almost the entire autograph schedule lands on Saturday, September 26:
- 10:30 a.m.: Julius Erving, Jim Thome, Luis Arraez
- 11:30 a.m.: Allen Iverson, Vince Papale, Leon Lett, Rocket Ismail
- 12:30 p.m.: Tony Dorsett
- 12:45 p.m.: Emmitt Smith
- 1:45 p.m.: Brandon Graham, Harold Carmichael
- 3:00 p.m.: Jalen Carter, Jalyx Hunt, Jordan Mailata
- 3:15 p.m.: Dallas Goedert
- 4:00 p.m.: Landon Dickerson, Cooper DeJean
Sunday, September 27: Roger Clemens, Mitch Williams and Roger Mason at 11:00 a.m., then Ricky Bottalico, Tommy Greene and Danny Jackson at 11:45 a.m.
The show asks autograph guests to arrive at least an hour before their first signer. Signing times can change, so check the show's schedule updates page Saturday morning before you leave.
Who Is on the Floor
The vendor list includes PSA, Beckett and CGC for grading, plus Goldin, Heritage, Hunt Auctions and REA on the auction side. Heritage is advertising free appraisals at the show. If you have a card you have been meaning to get looked at, this is one of the few places where you can talk to multiple graders and auction houses in the same afternoon.
How to Work a Show This Size
- Pick your day. Friday evening is the calmest time to shop tables. Saturday is for signings and the biggest crowds. Sunday morning is when dealers are most open to deals on inventory they would rather not pack.
- Walk the room before you buy. In a building this large, the same card will be priced very differently from aisle to aisle.
- Have comps ready. Look up recent sold prices on your phone before you negotiate, and remember graded cards trade on the exact grade and company.
- Protect your purchases. Show theft is real. Keep your bag closed and in front of you, and never set a box down on a table while you browse.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The show says it too.
Philadelphia collectors had a busy month already: the Philly 4 for 4 set with Iverson, Vick and Rollins autographs dropped last week. If you pulled an Iverson card, Saturday is your chance to get it signed in person.
Cannot make it to Oaks this weekend? There is almost certainly a card shop within driving distance that runs its own trade nights. Use The Card Shop Finder to find a card shop near you.