The East Bay Card Show's TCG NOW event returns to the Santa Clara Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, July 4–5, 2026 for a special Independence Day weekend edition of the Bay Area's biggest dedicated trading card show. The Fourth of July date gives this show a uniquely festive atmosphere — many vendors run holiday-themed promotions, the venue typically rolls out patriotic décor, and the timing pairs perfectly with morning shopping followed by afternoon cookouts and evening fireworks across the South Bay and Peninsula.
The vendor floor brings TCG NOW's signature trading-card-game-heavy mix. Pokémon dealers run especially deep, with vintage WOTC Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Team Rocket, Neo Genesis, and Skyridge inventory alongside EX-era and Diamond & Pearl-era nostalgia, modern Scarlet & Violet hits, Japanese exclusives, promos, jumbo cards, trophy cards, alt-arts, and graded slabs from PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC. Beyond Pokémon, the show packs One Piece TCG, Magic: The Gathering Commander and Standard, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Disney Lorcana, Dragon Ball Z Fusion World, Digimon, Star Wars Unlimited, Flesh and Blood, and Union Arena dealers. Sports card tables still bring solid MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL inventory across vintage and modern, with the All-Star Break timing typically driving deep baseball card inventory and prospect-heavy Bowman Chrome cases. San Francisco Giants, 49ers, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Sharks, Oakland Athletics, Stanford, and Cal product is reliably deep. Locked cases display PSA, BGS, SGC, and CGC graded slabs, and additional tables stock autographed memorabilia, vintage comics, Funko Pops, plushies, anime figures, and hobby supplies.
Saturday hours run 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM PDT and Sunday runs 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM PDT. General admission is sold through the East Bay Card Show website and at the door, with VIP early-access bundles available for collectors who want first pick before the public hour each day. Kids 12 and under enter free with a paying adult. Independence Day giveaways and patriotic-themed door prizes are typically distributed throughout the weekend while supplies last.
The Santa Clara Convention Center is located at 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA 95054, just off US-101 and adjacent to Levi's Stadium and California's Great America. The venue is climate-controlled, ADA-accessible, and laid out on a single level with wide aisles. Paid parking is plentiful on-site, and Levi's Stadium, the Mercado, and Great America's nearby restaurants are perfect for lunch breaks. Many collectors pair the morning show with afternoon Independence Day cookouts or fireworks at Discovery Meadow in San Jose, the Embarcadero in San Francisco, or Crissy Field.
This show fits every Bay Area collector type. Serious buyers use Saturday VIP early-entry to cherry-pick vintage Japanese Pokémon, sealed wax, and graded slabs before the holiday rush. Competitive Pokémon, One Piece, and Lorcana players scout singles for upcoming Regional Championships and Store Championships. Flippers and breakers restock binders, swap case-break hits, and live-stream from the floor. Families love the kid-friendly Independence Day timing and broad inventory mix that lets kids browse with their parents.
For the best experience, buy VIP early-entry, arrive right at 9:30 AM Saturday, bring cash plus Venmo and Zelle backups, and carry a detailed want list sorted by TCG title. Pack penny sleeves, top loaders, and a sturdy carrying box. Plan a real lunch break so the middle hours don't drain you. Follow @eastbaycardshow on Instagram and the eastbaycardshow.com website for vendor previews, ticket links, and 2026 schedule updates.