The Maplewood Mall Sportscard and Sports Collectible Show is the veteran of the Twin Cities mall show circuit, and its October run stretches across three days from Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Promoters bill this series as the original mall card show in the market, and the format has been copied widely since. What sets it apart is the sports focus: where most mall shows in the metro have drifted toward trading card games, this one stays anchored in sports cards and sports collectibles.
The inventory reflects that. Baseball dealers bring vintage Topps and Bowman, junk wax boxes, star rookies, complete sets and heavy Minnesota Twins representation. Football tables lean into Vikings material and current NFL rookies, and mid-October is peak football buying season. Hockey is a genuine strength given the market, covering the Wild, North Stars nostalgia, vintage O-Pee-Chee and local junior and college material. Basketball, college, boxing, UFC, racing and soccer all get space. Beyond cards you will find autographed baseballs, jerseys, pucks, photos, game-used relics, bobbleheads, pennants, programs, yearbooks and hobby supplies. A handful of vendors carry Pokemon and other trading card game singles for the crossover crowd.
Hours are Friday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free with no ticket required. Those evening hours on Friday and Saturday are the format's signature advantage, opening the show to anyone whose weekday and weekend mornings are already spoken for.
Maplewood Mall is at 3001 White Bear Avenue North in Maplewood, directly off Interstate 694 on the northeast side of Saint Paul. Parking is free across large surface lots and a ramp, and space is rarely an issue. Being inside the mall means restrooms, a food court, coffee and full climate control are all a short walk from the tables, and the level floors make the show easy with a stroller or a wheelchair. It also makes it an easy pitch to family members who are not collectors and would rather shop or grab lunch while you dig.
The show works well for almost everyone. Set builders and player collectors find organized boxes and reasonable pricing. Vintage hunters get access to Minnesota material that does not circulate nationally. Families appreciate the free admission and the accessible price points. Serious buyers should note that the multi-day format means dealers restock overnight, so Saturday morning inventory is not always identical to Friday afternoon.
A few tactics. Go Friday evening if you want first look with a thinner crowd. Go Sunday afternoon if you want end-of-show flexibility on price. Bring cash for negotiating leverage. Bring want lists and checklists. Bring sleeves and top loaders for raw purchases. Walk the full floor before you buy, since pricing varies between tables. And ask dealers directly about material they have not put out, because in a mall corridor setting display space is limited and much of the best stock stays boxed.
The series repeats several times a year at this venue, including a December run. Check cardsota.com for confirmed dates and vendor lists.
