Trading Card Con rolls into San Diego for a three-day convention October 2–4, 2026, bringing its big-tent, community-first take on the hobby to Southern California. Part of the Cards & More Tour, Trading Card Con is built to be more than a sales floor — it is a full convention experience with a heavy Pokemon and TCG flavor, vendor halls, special access tiers, and the energy of a destination event rather than a weekend show. If you want a true card convention without leaving the county, this is the San Diego date to circle. (At seed time the specific venue was still listed as TBA on the official site — confirm the location before you go.)
The convention leans into trading card games while keeping the floor broad. Expect a deep Pokemon presence — singles and sealed product across the Scarlet & Violet era, vintage WOTC-era chase cards, and graded slabs — reflected right in the badge names (the Gym Badge and the references to Pikachu Hall). Alongside Pokemon, vendors carry Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Disney Lorcana, and Dragon Ball Z, plus sports cards across MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, UFC, boxing, and soccer, vintage and modern slabs (PSA, BGS, SGC, CGC), sealed wax, memorabilia, comics, Funko Pops, and supplies. Conventions on this tour also typically program guest appearances, creator meetups, breaks, giveaways, and dedicated trading areas.
Hours run across three days — Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4 — so plan which day or days fit your schedule. Ticketing is tiered: a Day Badge runs about $25 for single-day admission, a Weekend Badge about $40 for all three days and the best value, a Gym Badge about $100 (adding early access to Pikachu Hall, priority exhibit-hall line, and a free t-shirt), and a League Badge about $200 for the full VIP experience (all Gym perks plus a swag bag, two meal/drink vouchers per day, and first-access photo ops). Badges can also be purchased at the door for the same price, though advance purchase is smart for a multi-day con. All registration fees are final and non-refundable.
Because the venue was TBA at seed time, check tradingcardcon.com for the confirmed San Diego location, parking, and accessibility details before you travel. Conventions of this size are typically held at large hotels or convention space with on-site or nearby parking and full air conditioning.
Who should attend? Trading Card Con is built for the dedicated and the curious alike — Pokemon and TCG players and collectors first and foremost, but also sports collectors, families, set builders, and anyone who enjoys the buzz of a multi-day convention. The VIP tiers reward serious attendees with early access and photo ops, while the affordable day badge keeps it accessible for casual fans and kids.
To get the most out of it, buy your badge in advance, decide early whether early access (Gym or League) is worth it for the chase cards you want, and arrive at opening for the freshest inventory and shortest lines. Bring cash for the quickest deals, a want list with target prices, sleeves and a slab case for pulls, and a trade binder. For confirmed dates, venue, guest announcements, and tickets, visit tradingcardcon.com and follow Cards & More Tour on Facebook and Instagram.