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Why Auckland Card Show is the show for collectors & players in New Zealand and Australia

Writer's picture: SteveSteve

Updated: Jan 20

In the world of collecting, Auckland Card Show has firmly established itself as a premier destination for collectors from both New Zealand and Australia. From trading card enthusiasts to sports memorabilia collectors and pop culture fans, the show has earned its place as a go-to event in the region. This annual gathering is not just a market for buying and selling; it is an immersive experience that celebrates the art of collecting, fosters community, and creates a vibrant atmosphere for both seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.


Toward the end of 2024, we announced an exciting new partnership with Matt Rogers of Geek Culture Distribution and Premier Card Grading. Matt joins me (Steve Guinee) in this partnership, which will take the Auckland Card Show to new heights. Our shared vision for this New Zealand-based event and what it can offer the community has perfectly aligned, enabling us to expand both the size of the show—transforming it into one of the largest card shows in the Southern Hemisphere—and the value we can deliver to our attendees. With Matt’s extensive experience in organizing TCG events, the Auckland Card Show will also incorporate the biggest tournament events in the country, further solidifying its place as the premier card-collecting and gaming event in the region.

The team from Blunt Collections opening Leaf Trading Cards' Pop Century at Auckland Card Show for the card collectors NZ.
The Blunt Collections team opening Leaf Trading Cards' Pop Century.

A New Zealand Card Show


The Auckland Card Show was conceived with the ambition of bringing the high-energy, immersive experiences seen at major card shows in the US and Europe to the Southern Hemisphere. Inspired by some of the biggest events globally, the vision was clear: create an event that not only attracts collectors and enthusiasts but also offers a world-class experience that rivals the best. One of the key inspirations behind this vision came from witnessing the rapid rise of the London Card Show. Starting with just 10 tables in 2021, the event grew at an extraordinary rate, expanding to over 500 tables by 2024. This explosive growth was a testament to the demand for top-tier, large-scale collectible events, and it made us realise that New Zealand needed something similar— a New Zealand card show— an event that would not only showcase the region's passion for collecting but also provide a space for international vendors, celebrity guests, and exclusive experiences.


With this goal in mind, Auckland Card Show was born, built on the belief that a world-class event of this calibre was long overdue for New Zealand and Australia. We saw the potential for the local market to thrive with the right platform—one that could offer the kind of energy, variety, and excitement that collectors in the US and Europe had come to enjoy.



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Getting brands in front of New Zealand card collectors


Of course, one of the significant challenges in organizing Auckland Card Show was the logistical complexity of bringing international businesses to New Zealand. As a relatively isolated country in the Southern Hemisphere, it can be difficult for many global brands and companies to attend or operate within the region. From the outset, we recognized that this was a key hurdle we needed to overcome to create a truly international event. We knew that to bring the best of the card-collecting world to New Zealand, we would need to collaborate closely with global brands, helping them navigate the logistics and make the journey to Auckland.


This approach has been one of flexibility and open-mindedness, as we worked hand-in-hand with international companies to ensure their products, branding, and expertise would directly reach the passionate collectors of New Zealand. It’s been a rewarding process, as we've seen the show evolve into an event where local fans are introduced to some of the best the global collecting scene has to offer.

A fantastic example of this collaboration came during the inaugural Auckland Card Show. We partnered with CGC (Certified Guaranty Company), one of the world’s leading grading services for comic books, trading cards, and other collectibles, to bring their official grading service to New Zealand for the very first time. Auckland Card Show became an authorised dealer for CGC, marking a significant milestone for the card collectors of NZ. This allowed local collectors to choose between CGC’s renowned grading service and our homegrown grading service, Premier Card Grading (PCG). For many collectors, having these options at their fingertips was an exciting first, as they could now access both international and local grading services.


Along with CGC, other international brands expressed interest in being part of Auckland Card Show, understanding the potential to connect with the growing New Zealand and Australian card-collecting communities. US-based Nostalgix TCG, UK-based Life TCG, and Australian company Cardboard Guardian were among the notable names that partnered with us to include products in our VIP goodie bags. These brands were keen to tap into the local market, providing high-quality items that were a hit with collectors. These collaborations were about providing collectors with access to a wide variety of products they might not have had access to otherwise.

Ultimate Guard sponsoring Auckland Card Show and getting in front of card collectors NZ.
Ultimate Guard played a big part in the success of our inaugural Auckland Card Show.

Ultimate Guard, a major player in the global card-collecting industry, also played an integral role at the first-ever Auckland Card Show. If you attended, you couldn’t help but notice their impact. From the very start, Ultimate Guard made their presence felt by sponsoring lanyards worn by every attendee and providing each one with a branded goodie bag. VIP ticket holders were treated to a range of Ultimate Guard products as well as other items from sponsors. Ultimate Guard's support truly elevated the event, making it clear that global brands see the potential in the Southern Hemisphere's card-collecting scene.


Additionally, we partnered with US-based Leaf Trading Cards, known for their innovative products and high-end memorabilia. Leaf generously supplied us with product cases to open on stage. In the late afternoon, the team from Blunt Collections took to the stage for a highly anticipated box break, opening two cases of Pop Century trading cards by Leaf. The excitement was palpable as collectors gathered around to watch the cards being pulled from the boxes, with many joining in to try and get their hands on one of the high-value items that were revealed. This box break created an electric atmosphere and was one of the highlights of the day, demonstrating the enthusiasm and engagement of the local card-collecting community.

Matt Simpson from Blunt Collections after pulling a 1/1 Charlie Sheen signed card from Leaf Trading Cards' Pop Century at Auckland Card Show.
Matt Simpson from Blunt Collections after pulling a 1/1 Charlie Sheen signed card from Leaf Trading Cards' Pop Century.

These collaborations with international brands not only added immense value to the event but also helped showcase Auckland Card Show’s potential as a hub for global partnerships. By facilitating connections between New Zealand and international companies, we’ve been able to offer an experience that feels truly global, while also giving local fans access to exclusive products, services, and experiences. As the show grows year after year, we look forward to continuing these partnerships and bringing even more global brands to Auckland, helping further solidify the event as the Southern Hemisphere’s premier destination for card collectors.


Auckland Card Show 2025


In 2025, Auckland Card Show is taking a major step forward, expanding to occupy two entire halls at the Auckland Showgrounds, a prime venue centrally located with ample parking and excellent access to public transport. This leap to a much larger space, just between our first and second shows, reflects the overwhelming demand from vendors across New Zealand and Australia who are eager to be part of this growing event. It's also driven by the substantial increase in interest surrounding our tournaments.


At the 2025 event, we’ll be dedicating one full hall exclusively to our Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments, which are expected to draw over 1,000 participants across a range of competitions. These tournaments will feature major titles making it the largest TCG tournament gathering in New Zealand. With over $100,000 worth of products and cash prizes up for grabs, the stakes will be higher than ever, ensuring that both casual players and top-tier competitors will have something to look forward to. This expansion underscores the growing importance of Auckland Card Show as a destination for card game enthusiasts, solidifying its place as the premier event for TCG tournaments in the region; not just for New Zealand but also for Australia.


Auckland Card Show is already setting the stage to be the best and most exciting card event in New Zealand and Australia, with some of the biggest brands in the industry already confirmed for 2025. But what truly sets us apart is our relentless focus on providing unique, one-of-a-kind experiences for card collectors that simply can’t be found anywhere else in Oceania. Whether you're a seasoned collector, a competitive player, or someone just discovering the world of trading cards, we are committed to offering something special for everyone.


We’ve been working closely with top global and local brands to ensure they have the maximum impact on our attendees. From exclusive product launches to interactive experiences, we are creating opportunities for our guests to connect with the brands they love in a way that goes beyond just purchasing cards. Our focus is on creating a fully immersive environment, where fans can engage with the latest products, meet industry experts, and get hands-on with some of the rarest items on the market.


Additionally, the partnerships we’ve built with both New Zealand and Australian companies are designed to support and promote the local card-collecting community while also introducing global brands that have never had a presence in this region. These collaborations not only elevate the show’s stature but also ensure our attendees have access to top-tier vendors, exclusive memorabilia, and possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.


When you combine the size and scope of the event with the world-class experiences we are offering, it’s clear that the Auckland Card Show is set to become the gold standard for card shows in Oceania. With unparalleled access to the biggest names in the industry, unique interactive experiences, and an atmosphere that celebrates all things collecting, this is an event that no card enthusiast in New Zealand or Australia will want to miss.


If you would like to be involved at Auckland Card Show in any kind of capacity, get in touch with us now.





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