The Nest Card Fest is a community card show hosted by Cardfather TCG in the gymnasium at Franklin Heights High School on the southwest side of Columbus, and it returns on Saturday, September 26, 2026. It is a smaller, friendlier alternative to the mega-shows across town, with a school-fundraiser feel, low admission, and a mix of local dealers, hobby-shop tables, and collectors clearing out their own binders. If you are on the west or south side of Columbus and want a low-key show with real bargains, this is a great Saturday stop.
What you will find: the vendor mix leans toward Pokémon and other trading card games thanks to Cardfather TCG's involvement, with a healthy share of sports cards as well. Expect Pokémon singles, sealed product and graded slabs; Magic: The Gathering singles and Commander decks; Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece and Lorcana; plus baseball, football and basketball cards from vintage through current-year releases. Local collectors often bring bulk boxes priced by the card, which makes this a good place for set builders and for kids assembling their first binders. Some tables also carry Funko Pops, comics and other collectibles.
Hours: Saturday, September 26, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The show is a single-day event.
Admission is just $2 per person at the door, one of the lowest entry prices for any card show in the Columbus area. Cash is recommended for admission and for dealing with the smaller tables, though most vendors take mobile payment. Children are very welcome; this show is explicitly family-friendly and is a popular first show for young collectors.
Venue and parking: Franklin Heights High School is at 1001 Demorest Road, Columbus, OH 43204, in the South-Western City School District, a few minutes from I-270 and Route 62 on the southwest side. Parking is free in the school lots, and the gym entrance will be signed. Restrooms are available, and there is usually a concessions table run by a school group.
Who should attend: families with kids, new collectors, budget-minded set builders, Pokémon and Magic players looking for singles at fair prices, and anyone who prefers a manageable show where you can actually talk to every dealer. Serious high-end buyers will find fewer five-figure slabs here than at the big fairground shows, but the bargain-bin hunting is excellent.
Tips: bring a want list and small bills, get there at opening if you want first pick of the dollar boxes, and bring a trade binder because many attendees are eager traders. If you have a collection to sell, several dealers buy on the spot, so bring it sorted. Because school gyms fill up fast, expect the busiest window to be 10:00 AM to noon.
For questions, vendor table information, or updates, follow Cardfather TCG on social media or check the event listing on TCG Shows Near Me.