An Epic Day Celebrating the Hobby
On February 24, Topps Hobby Rip Night was back, bigger, bolder, and better than ever at hobby shops nationwide. Rip Night celebrated the hobby where novice and seasoned collectors – and some very special, surprise guests – came together to rip packs, trade, and share the fun and excitement of The Hobby at their local shop. With more than 400 hobby shops participating nationwide, this was one of the most significant events in collecting in recent history.
Check out some of the most amazing moments from shops across the country below because you never know what could happen—or who might show up—at your local hobby shop.
Topps Hobby Rip Night in the City that Never Sleeps
Skybox Collectibles at Citi Field – NYC
Tom Brady and Dylan Harper celebrated Topps Hobby Rip Night when Skybox Collectibles took over the EBBS Brewing at Citi Field. The star power was in full effect, but the real draw of the event was the collectors coming together and sharing their love of the hobby. But being able to trade with one of the all-time GOATS, Tom Brady, and a GOAT in training, Dylan Harper, is pretty dope, too.
Sunshine State Rip Night
Blue Breaks – Venice FL
There must be something in the water in Venice, Florida because Blue Breaks celebrated Rip Night with not one but two Atlanta Braves joining in on all the Rip Night fun.
2024 Topps Series 1 cover star and reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. and his teammate and 2022 NL ROY, Michael Harris II, were all about that card life for Topps Hobby Rip Night at Blue Breaks. If championships were decided by Rip Night participation, then the Braves would be a lock!
World Champion Sports Cards – West Palm Beach, FL
If you’re talking about world champions, then you’re going to be talking about Robert Kraft. If Brady is the GOAT on the field, then Kraft is the GOAT of the front office. It only makes sense that Kraft enjoyed his Topps Hobby Rip Night at World Champion Sports Cards.
AA Mint – Cooper City, FL
One of the coolest—and newest—hobby shops to open its doors is AA Mint. They surprised Rip Night participants with a special visit from Miami native and San Francisco 49ers legend Frank Gore. You know it’s going to be a real one when the NFL’s last running back drops in for Rip Night.
Ripping Packs in the Valley of the Sun
Rip Valley – Pheonix, AZ
Kevin Durant, Odell Beckam Jr., and Joe Burrow heated things up at Topps Hobby Rip Night at Rip Valley in Phoenix. I don’t know about you, but I’m thinking that we need a buddy comedy about The Hobby starring these three dudes stat!
Valleywide Sports Cards – Pheonix, AZ
Valleywide Sports Cards hosted the Diamondbacks’ 2023 NL ROY, Corbin Carroll, for Rip Night fun. This marked the second time Carroll traded and ripped packs with collectors in Phoenix. I can’t wait to see what he’ll do for the next Topps Hobby Rip Night!
Trading Card Club – Pheonix, AZ
Trading Card Club welcomed Los Angeles Dodges ace Walker Buehler to the Rip Night festivities. Of course, things will get extra crazy this season with all the additional attention Shohei Ohtani will bring to the Dodgers. But do you think it’ll be as wild as Topps Hobby Rip Night? I think it’ll be about the same.
California Love for the Hobby Shops
Average Joe’s – Buena Park, CA
Average Joe’s welcomed 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young to the Rip Night party. The first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was quick to pass out packs, trade, and rip with everyone who came out to Average Joe’s—a definite touchdown for everyone in Buena Park participating in Rip Night.
Burbank Sportscards – Burbank, CA
Burbank Sportscards welcomed local hero Ethan Garbers to participate in Topps Hobby Rip Night. The star UCLA Quarterback had the crowd buzzing with excitement as he met with fans and traded and ripped packs.
Best Variety Cards – Glendora, CA
Not to be outdone by their hometown rivals, USC running back Quinten Joyner visited Best Variety Cards. Even if there were UCLA fans in the crowd, for Rip Night, everyone was supporting the Trojans.
Topps Hobby Rip Night in the ATL
CardsHQ – Atlanta, GA
This was a duo we never knew we needed: Chipper Jones and Meek Mill. Scratch that. This was the trio we never knew we needed: CardsHQ, Chipper Jones, and Meek Mill. Geoff Wilson’s super modern new shop, CardsHQ, played host to baseball and hip-hop royalty, with Jones and Mill ripping, trading, and breaking! This was a Rip Night to remember.
Viva Las Vegas Rip Night Style
Legacy Sports Cards – Las Vegas, NV
Global DJ, entrepreneur, icon, and cake thrower Steve Aoki was live and in effect at Legacy Sports Cards. Aoki helped add to the overall atmosphere of card-collecting craziness. And yes, someone got caked.
Rip Night Roundup Roll Call
There were big names and big thrills throughout the country, including Buffalo Bill Damar Hamlin at Steel City Collectibles in White Oak, PA, national champion Rod Moore at 3 Kings Sports Cards in Canton, MI, MLB legend Darryl Strawberry at Bel Air Sports Cards in Bel Air, MD, Johnny Manziel at NashCards in Nashville, TN, and Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis at Grand Slam Collectibles in Nashville, TN, among others.
We can’t wait to see what will happen—and who’ll show up—at the next Topps Hobby Rip Night.
