What began as a modest meetup of just 10 tables and 40 passionate collectors has transformed into one of the UK’s premier hobby events.
The most recent London Card Show, held from 9th–11th May 2025, marked another milestone in its remarkable journey — attracting thousands of collectors, families, and fans from across the UK.
Founded just three years ago, the show was built on a simple yet powerful idea: to bring card collectors of all types under one roof. That vision has blossomed into a vibrant, community-driven weekend that now spans multiple days and features exhibitors, celebrities, and collectors from across the industry.
Recently crowned the UK’s Card Show of the Year, the event continues to solidify its place as the beating heart of the British collecting scene.
A Collector’s Paradise: Cards, Celebs, and Community
This month’s show proved to be its biggest and most diverse yet. The exhibition hall was buzzing with energy and packed with an incredible variety of collectibles — from Pokémon to Football, One Piece to Disney.
There was also plenty of space given to the future of the hobby, with emerging brands such as VeeFriends making a big impact.
LIFE TCG in particular stood out for its mission-driven approach, with card print runs reflecting the population of endangered animals — a creative fusion of education and collecting.
A major highlight was the star power. Fans lined up to meet Veronica Taylor, the iconic voice of Ash Ketchum, who was on hand for autographs, photos and small breakout sessions.
And in a true nostalgia moment, Jason Paige — the original singer of the Pokémon theme song — lit up the main stage with a live performance, earning his title as “the voice of a generation.”
But beyond the brands and celebrity guests, the soul of the London Card Show lies in its community spaces. The Trading Area was alive all weekend, providing a welcoming hub where kids and adults could sit down, swap cards, and share the joy of opening packs together. It was this shared spirit that made the show feel more like a celebration than a convention.
The influencer presence was also strong, with fan favourites like GBW showcasing iconic football collectibles at his table. Whilst Randolph Pokémon was in hot demand with ACE Grading. Their unique designs and artistic labels have revolutionized the grading industry, tapping into the desire for display-worthy slabs.
Meanwhile, Topps and Fanatics Live showcased exciting new products, interactive displays and introduced attendees to the growing world of online box breaks and live collecting.
On to ExCeL: The London Card Show Levels Up
Looking ahead, the London Card Show has no plans to slow down. In fact, it’s scaling up — with a major event scheduled to take place at London ExCeL in April 2026. It’s a bold move that reflects the show’s meteoric rise and the growing appetite for large-scale card events in the UK.
While card shows in the United States have long dominated the scene, this homegrown event is proving that the UK collecting community is every bit as passionate — and rapidly catching up.
The London Card Show has become more than just a place to buy and trade. It’s a gathering point, a platform for discovery, and a symbol of how far the UK hobby has come. If this past weekend was anything to go by, its best days are yet to come.
