Sports fans were in heaven as Fanatics Fest returned to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from July 16 to 19, 2026. Filled with historic moments and surprise appearances, the third Fanatics Fest drew a record-breaking 180,000 attendees to the event. Mr. and Mrs. Met represented the borough of Queens throughout the convention, making sure the worldwide audience cheered on the New York Mets this upcoming baseball season.
Fanatics Fest got fans hyped ahead of the World Cup, as the official FIFA World Cup Finals Press Conference took place in front of a sold-out theatre with passionate sports fans who wanted to be close to their favorite players and athletes. The all-star lineup of players, coaches and hosts who took the stage included the legendary Lionel Messi, Rodri, Tom Brady, Kevin Durant, Novak Djokovic, Rio Ferdinand, and the team coaches.
Other highlights included the World Wrestling Entertainment SummerSlam press conference on Sunday as the mounting tension between WWE Champion CM Punk and Cody Rhodes continued. The conclusion of the event saw Punk slapping “The American Nightmare” across the face. The moment sparked a heated confrontation which saw Triple H and New York State Troopers run in to pull the rival WWE Superstars apart. The viral moment set the stage for their highly anticipated main event match at WWE SummerSlam 2026, taking place on August 1 and 2. Earlier in the week, football icon Tom Brady also slapped Logan Paul, which got the entire internet buzzing for days on end. Fans are now speculating that the two will have a future match inside the squared circle sooner rather than later. Brady was a busy man at Fanatics Fest, as he also had a perfect throwing arm. The NFL championship winner nailed a fastball at the Raising Cane’s drunk tank, which sent his friend and former teammate Rob Gronkowski plunging into a cold abyss filled with Raising Cane’s sauce. Rapper Travis Scott also performed an energetic set in front of rabid fans who could not get enough of the “FE!N” singer at the Center Stage.
The Queens Gazette was on hand to capture all of the big-time moments throughout the action-packed four days. Missed the chance to see your favorite celebrity or athlete? Don’t sweat it. The Gazette has selected the best photos from the event for you to enjoy and live vicariously through. Sit back, pop open a refreshing summer beverage, and take in the excitement through breathtaking visuals that will make you go ‘Wow.’
Readers who are interested in attending Fanatics Fest in 2027 can visit https://www.fanaticsfest.com for more information.
Photos Courtesy of Kyle Stevens / @ thekylestevens
Tom Brady is seen at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 1 on Thursday, July 16, 2026 in New York City at the The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Tom Brady made the rounds at Fanatics Fest this year.
Mr. and Mrs. Met are seen at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 2 on Friday, July 17, 2026 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Queens was in the house and Mr. and Mrs. Met mingled with fans from Thursday to Sunday.
CM Punk is seen at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 4 on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
WWE Champion CM Punk got fans excited for his upcoming main event match with Cody Rhodes ahead of WWE SummerSlam next month.
Travis Scott is seen at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 4 on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Travis Scott made the crowd go wild when he took the stage to perform a set that got everybody on their feet.
Logan Paul is seen with his PRIME drink at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 3 on Saturday, July 18, 2026 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Logan Paul made headlines throughout Fanatics Fest with his gift of gab.
Rob Gronkowski is seen at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 1 on Thursday, July 16, 2026 in New York City at the The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Rob Gronkowski gleefully took a bath in Raising Cane’s sauce on Thursday.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martínez, and manager Lionel Scaloni, Kevin Hart and Rio Ferdinand are seen at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Press Conference at the 3rd Fanatics Fest NYC – Day 2 on Friday, July 17, 2026 in New York City at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
The FIFA World Cup Press Conference saw the most famous names in the world take the stage.