Hype Con Bay Area takes over the Santa Clara Convention Center on Halloween weekend, Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2026. Hype Con bills itself as a convention dedicated to the hottest items on the market under one roof, and the Bay Area edition has grown into one of the region's most reliable two-day shows for trading cards and pop-culture collectibles. Landing on Halloween gives this edition an extra dose of fun, with plenty of costumed attendees expected on the floor.
Cards are the backbone of the event. Expect dozens of tables of Pokémon singles, graded slabs, Japanese product, and sealed booster boxes, along with One Piece Card Game, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, and Dragon Ball Super. Sports collectors will find MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL inventory, including Giants, Warriors, 49ers, and Sharks cards, modern Prizm and Topps Chrome rookies, and vintage runs. Beyond cards, Hype Con's broader lineup covers Funko Pops, K-pop and BTS merchandise, LEGO, toys, sneakers, and other trending collectibles, so the aisles feel more like a marketplace festival than a traditional card show. Organizers also run kid-friendly activities such as sticker rallies, crafting stations, and photo ops, and the floor is open to buying, selling, trading, and networking.
The published schedule lists VIP hours from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM both days. General admission runs 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 31, and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, November 1. VIP entry gives you the first hour on a quiet floor, which matters for anyone chasing specific singles. Tickets are sold online through the organizer's ticketing links; recent Bay Area editions listed general admission around $10 with free admission for kids, but confirm current pricing for this edition before you buy.
The Santa Clara Convention Center sits at 5001 Great America Parkway beside Levi's Stadium, with large surface lots and garages nearby and a VTA light rail stop steps from the entrance. Recent Hype Con listings have advertised free parking, but check event-day parking details, since stadium and convention traffic can change lot availability. The venue is roughly 45 minutes from San Francisco and within easy reach of the Peninsula, East Bay, and South Bay.
Who should go? Pokémon and One Piece collectors, families looking for a Halloween activity with a hobby twist, sports collectors who like variety, and vendors or traders who want exposure to a large and young crowd. First-timers will appreciate the approachable, festival-style layout.
Tips: buy VIP if you are chasing specific cards, because the best-priced singles move in the first hour. Bring cash and a digital payment option, a written want list, and sleeves plus top loaders. Wear comfortable shoes, since the hall is large. If you are bringing kids in costume, plan for crowds on Saturday afternoon and consider Sunday for a calmer experience. Follow @hypeconco on Instagram for vendor announcements and giveaways.