Pristine Auction Brings Big-Time Live Bidding and Giveaways to The National Card Show 2025
From the underdog U.S. Olympic hockey team’s legendary “Miracle on Ice” victory, to Magic Johnson stepping in as an NBA Finals rookie and winning MVP honors, to George Brett flirting with a .400 batting average — 1980 was a golden year for sports memories and milestones.
Though understated at the time, one other milestone took place that year when a passionate group of sports card and memorabilia enthusiasts gathered in a hotel ballroom at the Los Angeles International Airport Marriott. This modest get-together of passionate hobbyists would be the lightning in the bottle that sparked what we know today as “The National,” or the National Sports Collectors Convention (NSCC).
Now a massive national event that draws tens of thousands of collectors, investors, vendors, and sports legends under one roof, the 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention will be a true spectacle. Held July 30 through Aug. 8 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., the 45th edition of The National will feature top card dealers, on-site grading, live auctions, and autograph signings from dozens of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.
And once again, Pristine Auction will be on site at Booth #557, providing fans with an opportunity to experience live auctions, meet top personalities from the world of sports collectibles, and score exclusive giveaways throughout the show.
Live Pristine Auctions on the Big Screen
One of the biggest draws at the Pristine Auction booth during The National will be the high-energy live auctions, projected daily on our massive 20-by-10-foot video board. These live auctions aren’t just another table display; they’re a show in themselves, designed to bring the thrill of Pristine Auction bidding wars front and center on the show floor.
Each day, we’ll host four hours of live auctions, broken into two action-packed blocks — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. local Chicago time — with items moving fast due to 15-second auction timers. These live auctions will be streamed simultaneously on the Pristine Auction website, app, and social platforms, so collectors around the country can jump in on the action.
Also, expect some special celebrity guests — from popular hobby personalities to former players — to make an appearance from time to time.
No matter your budget or experience level, the live auctions are open to everyone, but make sure you’ve downloaded the Pristine Auction app and are registered in advance so you don’t miss your shot when the clock starts ticking.
Pedestal Auctions to Offer Non-Stop Bidding Action
In addition to the big-screen live auctions, we’re is bringing another unique way to win at the 2025 National Sports Collectors Convention: the Pedestal Auctions. These on-site-only auctions will run continuously at our booth throughout the show, giving collectors dozens of chances each day to score incredible memorabilia on the spot.
Here’s how it works: 12 individual auction pedestals will be set up at the Pristine Auction booth, each featuring a showcase item up for bid. The auctions are staggered, so while each item is open for one hour, one pedestal auction will close every five minutes.
Once sold, items will immediately be replaced with a new collectible and a fresh 60-minute clock. This means the action never stops. An incredible 306 auctions will happen each day in a steady, rolling loop.
Item information and live bids for each pedestal auction will be displayed on dedicated screens so you can track the action in real time. Unlike the live auctions on the big screen, the Pedestal Auctions are exclusively for on-site bidders at The National, so plan your booth visits accordingly — and keep an eye out for the hidden gems and must-have pieces that can pop up at any moment.
Sponsorships, VIP Perks and Exclusive Giveaways
Pristine Auction’s presence at the 45th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention goes well beyond the booth. We’re also stepping up as one of the event’s standout sponsors, adding extra fun and value for collectors throughout the week.
To kick things off, we will proudly be sponsoring the VIP Welcome Party, giving VIP attendees an energetic start to the show and a chance to connect with other collectors, investors, and hobby personalities before the main event even begins. As a bonus, VIP guests will have the chance to enter a special raffle for a chance to win one of five exclusive signed pieces of memorabilia — perfect centerpiece items for any collection.
Registration for this raffle will be simple: just scan the QR code located in the VIP section at the event and you’re in the running. (Raffle items will be announced closer to the show date.)
Pristine Auction will also be sponsoring a Trade Night, the legendary after-hours hangout where collectors gather to swap cards, make deals, and share stories. This informal tradition has become one of the best networking moments at The National.
And, of course, no trip to The National Card Show is complete without scoring some exclusive swag. Pristine Auction will be handing out free T-shirts at our booth. But you must have the Pristine Auction app downloaded and be a registered user to claim your shirt — and to ensure you’re ready to bid, win, and take part in the live and pedestal auctions.
A Look Back: The History of the National Sports Collectors Convention
Before it became the can’t-miss event it is today, the National Sports Collectors Convention started with a simple but powerful idea: bring collectors together under one roof to celebrate their passion for sports cards and memorabilia. This idea led to that first gathering in LA back in 1980.
This first show was modest by today’s standards, but the spark was undeniable.
With around 160 dealer tables and collectors traveling in from dozens of states and Canada, the inaugural National captured the spirit of a hobby on the rise. Dealers and collectors connected face-to-face, swapping stories and trading cardboard treasures long before online marketplaces and grading companies changed the game.
From that hotel ballroom gathering, The National quickly evolved into an annual tradition, moving to different cities each year based on dealer votes. As the hobby grew, so did the show — from humble binders and shoe boxes to multi-day mega-events with corporate sponsors, museum-worthy displays, exclusive card releases, and autograph sessions with some of the biggest names in sports history.
Today, the National Sports Collectors Convention stands as the hobby’s crown jewel: a celebration of collecting’s past, present, and future — all under one roof. It’s where unexpected finds are made, deals are struck, and lifelong friendships are formed, all fueled by the same passion that brought those first collectors together back in 1980.
