Fanatics Fest 2026 daily guide: Will LeBron James announce his free-agent decision during a live podcast taping?
The third annual Fanatics Fest at New York City’s Javits Center will attempt to deliver on its promise of being part Coachella and part San Diego Comic-Con as the world’s largest gathering place for sports fans and collectibles enthusiasts.
The festival will span four days for the first time with an extra 25% of space used in the massive Midtown convention hall. It is poised to host 200,000 ticketholders to witness an event bigger than ever with the World Cup final taking place in MetLife Stadium on Sunday. There will be 400 superstar appearances across every major sport, including live podcast tapings with potential massive breaking news and autograph and photo opportunities that come at an additional cost beyond the single adult admission prices of $81.54 for Thursday, Friday and Sunday and $93.19 for Saturday.
Let’s break down the most noteworthy appearances, attractions and photo opportunities fans can expect during Fanatics Fest. All times listed are Eastern.
Thursday, July 16
1:15 p.m.: LeBron James and Tyrese Haliburton will sit down for a special live taping of the “Mind the Game” podcast. Could it be the moment LeBron announces his decision on his free agency? The NBA world will be watching a year after news of Kevin Durant’s trade from the Phoenix Suns to the Houston Rockets broke live during Fanatics Fest with KD on the main stage.
2:45 p.m.: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and host Taylor Rooks will take the main stage for a Disney fan draft, which will feature superstar talent and announce a major partnership as ABC and ESPN get set to host next February’s Super Bowl.
4:15 p.m.: Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart continue their New York Knicks championship tour with their “Roommates Show” podcast live with special guest Aaron Judge. New Yorkers are still rabidly obsessed a month after the Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years, and any chance they get to be up close and personal to Brunson will be a Beatles-at-the-Ed Sullivan Show-type experience.
4:30 p.m.: Kevin Hart will be taping several episodes of his “Cold As Balls” podcast live in cold tubs in front of an audience of thousands. Thursday will feature iShowSpeed and Rob Gronkowski, Friday will star Serena Williams and Cooper Flagg, and Saturday brings Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sean O’Malley and Novak Djokovic.
6:45 p.m.: Inter Milan will reveal its 2026-2027 away uniform live, featuring an appearance from club legend Christian Vieri as Fanatics Fest shows off its international appeal.
Photo-op highlights: Grabbing a picture and autograph with Bunson sold out despite the $937.40 price tag. Josh Hart’s $283.40 appearance sold out as well, but fear not. You can still reserve a spot for David Ortiz ($348.80), Mariano Rivera ($337.90) or Roger Clemens ($283.40).
Friday, July 16
9:45 a.m.: If “First Take’s” aesthetic wasn’t pro wrestling enough for you, ESPN’s live version at Fanatics Fest will feature Stephen A. Smith chopping it up with Logan Paul and other WWE superstars. Kevin Neghandi will also host the 6 p.m. “SportsCenter” live from the Javits Center.
10:30 a.m.: If you want to see four all-time greats in one place, Gayle King will host a panel titled “Top of the Game” featuring Djokovic, Diana Tarausi, Derek Jeter and Alex Morgan.
12 p.m.: If James doesn’t announce his new team on Thursday, he’ll have another opportunity to do so with a live taping of his longtime show “The Shop.” New hosts Steelo Brim and Travis Bennett will welcome LeBron, his business partner Maverick Carter, Djokovic and new Klutch Sports client Folarin Balogun.
12:30 p.m.: Five sporting legends who own minority stakes in women’s sports teams — Tom Brady, Serena Williams, James Harden, Candace Parker and Lindsey Vonn — will join Rooks for a conversation on the future of sports through leadership, innovation and investment.
5:15 p.m.: FIFA’s official World Cup final press conference will take place live from the festival, with English legend Rio Ferdinand hosting FIFA President Gianni Infantino and players and managers from Sunday’s two finalists.
Photo-op highlights: While Karl-Anthony Towns ($337.90) is sold out, Knicks fans can get pictures with Mitchell Robinson, who is now with the Boston Celtics, for $168.95 or Jordan Clarkson for $114.45. While appearances from soccer legends Antoine Griezmann and Kaka sold out, the highest-priced opportunities feature Scottie Pippen ($664.90), Gronkowski ($408.75) and Alex Rodriguez ($321.55).
Saturday, July 17
10:30 a.m.: Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s entertaining, unpredictable “Nightcap” podcast will star the unlikely duo of Brunson and Roman Reigns as guests before what’s scheduled to be some sort of joint collaboration between the pair during that night’s WWE “Saturday Night Main Event” at Madison Square Garden.
12:15 p.m.: If “The Roommates Show” wasn’t enough of a Knicks championship reunion, Rooks will host Kings Of New York, featuring a behind-the-scenes trip down memory lane with Brunson, Towns, Hart and Bridges.
1:30 p.m.: For you gaming enthusiasts out there, “Call of Duty” enters the spotlight with a look into its place in popular culture. Katie Nolan hosts special guests Kevin Durant and “Obsession” star Inde Navarrette as they describe how the best-selling first-person shooter has impacted global entertainment.
2:30 p.m.: On the eve of the World Cup, “Men In Blazers” host Roger Bennett brings together an unlikely duo of celebrity soccer fans, Victor Wembanyama and Spike Lee, to discuss Sunday’s final and their love for the beautiful game. Method Man, Tiki Barber and Becky Sauerbrunn will appear on Bennett’s Sunday show.
3 p.m.: Draymond Green, himself still a free agent, will host his eponymous podcast alongside guests Tiffany Haddish, AJ Dybantsa and Dominique Wilkins. Will there be a breaking news announcement coming live?
Photo-op highlights: While Mikal Bridges slots are sold out, ($283.40), Knicks fans can still get a taste of championship magic with appearances from Jose Alvarado ($168.95), Mike Brown ($168.95), Landry Shamet ($141.70), Deuce McBride ($141.70) and Tyler Kolek ($114.45). The highest-priced opportunities include Brett Favre ($474.15), Floyd Mayweather ($392.40) and Randy Moss ($354.25).
Sunday, July 18
10:30 a.m.: “The Joint Venture” a late-night style podcast hosted by Lil’ Wayne and Craig Carton, makes its debut Sunday with the first episode starring Eli Manning, Darrelle Revis and Amar’e Stoudemire and a second edition taping later in the afternoon.
12 p.m.: As Fanatics Fest has progressed, various superstar athletes, celebrities and influencers have been competing in athletic competitions known as Fanatics Games. Tom Brady, Noah Eagle and others will host the closing ceremonies and declare a winner. For what it’s worth, Brady beat out Justin Gaethje for last year’s title.
1:15 p.m.: Travis Scott remains one of the most popular artists for millennials, and Gen Z and takes center stage in what Fanatics is calling Cactus Jack and Friends Live. You’ll have to show up to find out what’ll happen.
2:30 p.m.: For those sports fans who don’t have plans for the World Cup final, Bennett will host Balogun and special guests to take in all the action as Spain plays Argentina for the championship to close out the convention.
Photo-op highlights: While Giants fans missed their chance to get up close with the sold-out Jaxson Dart ($228.90), Eli Manning ($212.55) still has open spots. Other pricey highlights include Charles Woodson ($316.10), the sold out CM Punk ($228.90) and Henrik Lundqvist ($228.90).
