The UK’s largest trading-card event is about to get even bigger, as the London Card Show announced plans to move to new venue Excel London in 2026.
Excel London to host 2026 trading-card show
Excel London will host the London Card Show in April next year, with the 2026 event eclipsing all of the previous editions at a new venue with a much larger capacity.
Next year’s event will be bigger than ever, with Excel London holding a maximum capacity of 21,000 fans. The London Card Show will take place from April 17-19th in 2026.
The new venue marks another huge milestone for the UK trading-card community and cements the event’s status as the nation’s biggest and best trading-card event.
Although the event isn’t until next year, there is already an early guide to what will be on at the show, with celebrity guest appearances set to be lined up as well as a multitude of other fun experiences.
“Moving The London Card Show to ExCeL London is both an emotional milestone and a tribute to the passion of our incredible community,” said Harry Reynolds, Founder of The London Card Show. “What began with just 10 tables and 40 attendees has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon and this new venue gives us the freedom to evolve the experience even further.”
The big reveal for next year’s event comes just days after another important development in the trading-card world, with Fanatics Live launching its flagship store in the heart of London’s Regent Street.
The popularity of Fanatics and the trading-card community cannot be ignored, with F1 superstar Lewis Hamilton on hand to officially open the new store this week.
One of one. 🥶@LewisHamilton was in London to open the Fanatics Collectibles store on Regent Street! #F1 @Topps pic.twitter.com/lf6L5fn3Nl
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 25, 2025
According to latest reports, the global trading-card market is valued at approximately $10.8billion and it is only expected to grow more in the future.
What will be on at the London Card Show 2026?
See below for a list of everything that we know will be on at the London Card Show next year.
- Celebrity guest appearances
- Regional tournaments
- Meet and greets with trading-card influencers and celebrities
- Exclusive product launches
For more information about next year’s event, check out the London Card Show’s official website.
Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Qualifiers
ExCeL London’s trading card event also played host to one of the only UK Regional Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship Qualifiers of 2025, in a partnership with Konami and Brotherhood Games.
The top prize from the qualifiers was 6 boxes of Yu-Gi-Oh! trading cards, with three boxes handed out to 2nd and two given to the third placed participants.
Of course the main prize from the qualifiers was a spot at the 2025 World Championship. The Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship will head to Paris for the finals which will take place between 29th-30th August this year.
