London Card Show XL 2026: Dates, Tickets, Guests & Everything You Need to Know

Europe's trading card hobby is having a moment — and nowhere is that more apparent than at the London Card Show XL 2026, taking place at ExCeL London from 17 to 19 April 2026. Billed as Europe's biggest card show, this year's event has upgraded to "Xtra Large" with a move to the iconic ExCeL venue — and organisers are pulling out all the stops to make it one for the history books.

A Milestone Event

The London Card Show XL 2026 marks the 20th edition of the London Card Show, an event that launched just five years ago with a modest 11 tables and 40 attendees. Fast-forward to 2026, and the scale is almost unimaginable by comparison. More than four million cards are expected to be on display across the three days, across around 2,000 tables, with over 21,000 attendees forecast to pass through the doors.

The event will cover 10,000 square metres of exhibition space at ExCeL London, making it roughly four times larger than the February show held at Sandown Park in Esher.

Founder Harry Reynolds reflected on the journey: "When we started with only 11 tables and 40 attendees, we never imagined reaching this scale so quickly. Our 20th show at Excel London is not just a milestone, but a celebration of the incredible community that has grown around trading cards in the UK."

London Card Show XL 2026 Tickets: Act Fast

Demand for the London Card Show XL 2026 has been phenomenal. Saturday and Sunday day tickets are now sold out, but don't despair — full weekend passes and Friday single-day tickets remain available. If you're keen to attend, it's worth snapping these up sooner rather than later, as availability is unlikely to last. Tickets can be purchased via the official London Card Show website and Eventbrite.

Opening times are as follows:

Friday 17th April: 11:00am – 6:00pm Saturday 18th April: 9:00am – 4:00pm Sunday 19th April: 9:00am – 4:00pm

VIP ticket holders enjoy earlier access each day, so if you want first pick of the floor, it's worth considering an upgrade.

What Trading Cards Can You Expect to Find at the London Card Show XL 2026?

Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious newcomer, the sheer breadth of cards on offer at the London Card Show XL 2026 is staggering. Attendees can expect a mix of popular trading cards such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Sports Cards, and Formula 1, alongside niche categories like UFC, Disney, and Marvel. With thousands of vendors under one roof, if there's a card you're after, the chances are good you'll find it here.

Keep an eye out too for 3rd Down Trading Cards, who are bringing their entire shop experience right to their booth — planted right in the heart of the venue. It's the kind of setup that turns a table into a destination, and well worth seeking out when you're navigating the floor.

This year the show boasts a particularly strong international vendor presence, with a significant contingent of both American and European traders making the trip to London — among them Rothcards, MojoSportsllc, and Sports Card Taxi, three well-known names in the hobby who will all be in attendance. For UK collectors, that means access to stock that rarely makes it to domestic shores — whether that's US-market exclusives, European regional releases, or simply the kind of deep inventory that only the biggest names in the global hobby can bring.

More Than Just Cards

The London Card Show XL 2026 is far more than a marketplace — it's a full weekend experience. Expect standout exhibitors, an action-packed main stage, a fully interactive Kids Zone, a retro gaming station, a streaming zone, a vlogger hub, a creator studio, a trade zone, and card grading services.

Star Guests at the London Card Show XL 2026: Footballers, Voice Actors & Pokémon Legends

This year's guest lineup is genuinely extraordinary, spanning football royalty and some of the most beloved voices in animation.

Football fans are in for a treat, with England legends Joe Cole and Michael Owen both confirmed to appear. The pair will take part in a live Q&A on the main stage, open packs in front of the crowd, and also hold a dedicated meet and greet session — a rare opportunity to get up close with two of the Premier League era's most iconic players.

For Pokémon fans, the guest list is nothing short of a dream. The show will welcome:

Veronica Taylor — the original voice of Ash Ketchum in the English dub Eric Stuart — beloved as the voice of Brock and James Erica Schroeder — known for voicing Nurse Joy, Jessie, and many more Jason Paige — the man who sang the iconic original Pokémon theme tune

Together, they represent some of the most iconic talent from the show's classic era, and their presence is sure to draw enormous crowds.

Rounding out an already stellar lineup are two giants of voice acting more broadly. Jim Cummings — the legendary actor behind some of Disney's most recognisable characters including Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Pete — will be in attendance. Joining him is Dan Green, one of the most celebrated voices in anime and gaming, best known to fans as the voice of Yami Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh!

Brand New: Women's Trading Card Section

This year sees an exciting addition to the London Card Show XL 2026 show floor — a dedicated Women's Trading Card Section, running across tables L1–L8 for the entire weekend. Celebrating the booming women's football card market, the section will showcase some of the finest women's football cards available, from top-tier rookies to rare pulls and everything in between. Whether you're an existing collector or just discovering this growing corner of the hobby, it's a section well worth seeking out.

A Major American Arrival: Dave & Adam's at the London Card Show XL 2026

One of the most exciting announcements for the London Card Show XL 2026 is the first-ever London Card Show appearance of Dave & Adam's Card World — one of the most recognisable names in the global trading card industry.

Founded over 30 years ago, Dave & Adam's has built its reputation as a leader in the collectables industry, with a goal of providing collectors around the world with quality products at fair prices alongside exceptional customer service. Based in the United States, Dave Silver and Adam Martin first met on the local card show circuit in 1987, when they were among the youngest dealers in the area, and have since built the business into a colossus of the hobby. They also now operate a European arm, Dave & Adam's Card World Europe, based in Roermond in the Netherlands, making their attendance at the London show a natural next step.

Whether you're after sealed product, singles, or simply want to browse one of the hobby's most storied vendors in person, their stand is one not to miss.

Fanatics x Topps at the London Card Show XL 2026

Fanatics x Topps will have a dedicated stand at the London Card Show XL 2026 — and they've got something special lined up for each day of the event.

On Friday, the focus turns to sports entertainment, with WWE Chrome taking centre stage. Saturday shifts attention to the gridiron, with NFL Chrome on display for American football fans. Then on Sunday, to close out the weekend in style, the iconic Premier League Trophy will be present — a rare chance to get up close with one of football's most recognisable pieces of silverware.

It's a carefully curated three-day showcase from one of the biggest names in the hobby, and whether you're a wrestling fan, an NFL collector, or a Premier League devotee, there's something for everyone across the weekend.

As if that weren't enough, attendees visiting the Fanatics x Topps stand will also have the chance to win £1,000 worth of Fanatics collectable store credit — making it well worth a stop regardless of what you collect.

Panini at the London Card Show XL 2026

Another major name confirmed for the London Card Show XL 2026 floor is Panini, one of the most iconic brands in the world of trading cards and sticker collections. With a legacy spanning decades and a portfolio covering everything from football stickers to premium trading cards, Panini's presence is sure to be a draw for collectors of all ages. Whether you're a long-time fan of their sticker albums or a collector of their modern card releases, their stand promises to be one of the highlights of the weekend.

3rd Down Trading Cards at the London Card Show XL 2026: We're Bringing the Shop to You

We're incredibly excited to be part of the London Card Show XL 2026, and we're not coming empty handed. We're taking everything that makes 3rd Down what it is and bringing it right to the floor of ExCeL — planting ourselves slap bang in the middle of the action so you can't miss us.

We'll have flick throughs across sports and Pokémon, so whether you're digging for that one card you've been chasing or just love the thrill of the hunt, come pull up a chair and get stuck in. Alongside the cards, we'll have a full range of accessories — sleeves, top loaders, binders, and everything else you need to keep your collection in order.

But here's the thing — if you don't see what you're looking for, just ask. We're taking orders on absolutely everything and anything for your hobby needs, right there at the show. Think of it as having your local card shop on hand, in the middle of Europe's biggest card event. Come find us, have a browse, and let's talk cards.

GBW Custom Cards at the London Card Show XL 2026

One of the most exciting additions to the London Card Show XL 2026 is the arrival of GBW — one of the biggest trading card content creators in the game — who will be releasing his very own custom card set exclusively at the event. The range features numbered cards and signed autos, giving collectors a genuine chase element and a tangible piece of hobby history. Whether you're a long-time follower of GBW's content or simply a collector who appreciates something truly unique, this is the kind of release that doesn't come around often. Expect demand to be high.

PSA Trade Night at ExCeL London — Free Entry, Saturday Evening

The fun doesn't stop when the London Card Show XL 2026 floor closes. On Saturday evening, PSA will be hosting an official Trade Night at ExCeL London, and best of all, it's completely free to attend. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow collectors, swap cards, and carry the buzz of the day's show well into the evening. Whether you're looking to offload duplicates, hunt down a specific card, or simply connect with the community, the PSA Trade Night is not to be missed.

On-Site Card Grading at the London Card Show XL 2026

One major draw for serious collectors at the London Card Show XL 2026 is the availability of professional card grading services on-site. PSA will be attending to accept card submissions, with additional on-site support from The Sub Center and Ace Grading. If you've been sitting on cards you've been meaning to get graded, this is a rare and convenient opportunity without having to ship internationally.

Tips for Attending the London Card Show XL 2026

A little preparation goes a long way. Bring cash, as some vendors may offer better deals than with card payments. Wear comfortable shoes — 10,000 square metres is a lot of ground to cover. Arrive early, especially on Saturday and Sunday when doors open at 9am, to get the best pick of stock.

Families are well catered for too, with the Kids Zone and a range of activities making it a genuinely enjoyable day out for all ages.

Whether you're hunting for a specific rare card, looking to trade, catching a glimpse of your favourite footballer, or reliving childhood memories with some of animation's greatest voices, the London Card Show XL 2026 is shaping up to be the unmissable event of the year. Friday tickets and weekend passes are still available — but not for long.