Card Collectors Anonymous MN holds its October show at The Essence Event Center in Saint Paul on Sunday, October 11, 2026, running 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. October is a good month to catch this one. The football and hockey seasons are underway, baseball is in the postseason, and the pre-holiday buying window has not yet pushed prices up, which tends to make dealers more willing to deal than they will be in December.
The show fields roughly sixty-seven tables, a size that consistently works well: enough to guarantee real depth and variety, small enough to walk properly in an afternoon. Sports card dealers form the backbone, covering baseball, basketball, football and hockey across vintage, junk wax, modern and ultra-modern, in raw, graded and sealed forms. Minnesota team inventory is a strength, with Twins, Vikings, Wild, Timberwolves and Gophers material spread across multiple tables. Trading card game vendors bring Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! and One Piece singles and sealed product. Memorabilia dealers handle autographed items, game-used relics, photos and programs, and there is usually at least one supply vendor for sleeves, top loaders and storage. Giveaways and raffles run through the day.
Admission is free and there is no ticket, registration or VIP tier. Everyone enters at ten and works the floor on the same footing. Parking is free in the lot outside.
The Essence Event Center is at 1217 Bandana Boulevard North in Saint Paul, in the Energy Park district just off Snelling Avenue with quick access from Interstate 94 and Highway 280. As venues go it is a step up from the gyms and mall corridors that host much of the Minnesota circuit: a proper carpeted event hall with good lighting, comfortable temperature, clean restrooms and wide aisles. It is convenient from both downtowns and an easy drive from Roseville, Falcon Heights, Maplewood, Como and the northern suburbs.
The show suits a wide range of collectors. Newcomers get a manageable room and approachable dealers. Experienced collectors get access to several established Minnesota sellers who treat this as a regular stop and bring genuinely good vintage and graded material. Set builders benefit from the number of tables carrying organized commons and stars rather than only showcase singles. Families do fine here, with plenty of affordable material for younger collectors and enough space to move around comfortably.
To get the most from it, arrive near opening. Sunday shows in this market peak late morning and the sharpest vintage deals usually go early. Bring cash, since a good share of tables price better for it. Bring a want list and, if you plan to trade, a binder sorted by set or player so dealers can evaluate it fast. Ask about material not on display, because dealers at a show this size routinely keep their better stock in a case or a box out of sight. Compare prices across tables before committing to anything significant. If a dealer's inventory lines up with what you collect, take their card and get on their list.
The series runs on a roughly monthly Sunday rotation at this venue through the winter. Check cardsota.com for upcoming dates and vendor announcements.
