I attended the Northland Sports Card and TCG Show at the Andover Community Center for the fourth time this past Saturday, 5/17. It delivered yet another fantastic experience, proving why it remains one of the most enjoyable events in the Minnesota card scene. With approximately 90 dealers spread across 117 tables, the show provided a strong mix, including many high-end cards.
Modern sports and TCG dominated the floor – most tables had sports cards, 28 of them had TCG, and among those were close to 20 dedicated exclusively to TCG. Most of the TCG-only tables were conveniently clustered in one section for easy browsing. The structure made it effortless for TCG enthusiasts to bounce between tables without getting lost in the shuffle of sports collectors.
Among the standout cards at the show was a 1/1 JJ McCarthy Gold Vinyl Rated Rookie, which has already received offers north of $20,000. It’s hard to comp a 1/1 like this, but a price above $20k is supported by a recent sale of a McCarthy Gold Vinyl Prizm numbered out of 5 that went for over $13k. If McCarthy hit this season, then sky’s the limit for it.
For vintage sports collectors, the selection was limited but high quality, with 13 tables showcasing some true gems. While not the overwhelming presence that modern cards had, the vintage selection held its own in terms of prestige and collectability.
A particularly convenient element of the show was the presence of four dedicated buying tables, offering collectors liquidity to buy other cards on the floor. I put this feature to good use myself, selling a couple of Pokémon cards in under five minutes after visiting three different buyers to get the best offer. The quick sale allowed me to turn those cards into something fresh—a Drew Brees rookie for my PC.
Every time I attend this show, I get lost in the excitement. This time was no different—I glanced at my phone and realized I’d been there for four hours – an hour longer than I had planned. When a card show makes time disappear, you know it’s a winner. For those looking to experience a well-organized event that offers modern heat, quality vintage finds, and seamless transactions, the Northland Sports Card and TCG Show in Andover continues to impress. Already looking forward to the next one!