The eBay Arena brings together 60+ eBay Live streams, athlete appearances, premium collectibles, immersive fan experiences and new innovations for The Hobby.
Today, eBay unveiled its lineup for The 2026 National Sports Collectors Convention, headlined by the debut of the “eBay Arena.” Inspired by the energy of a live sports venue, the eBay Arena marks eBay’s biggest presence at The National to-date—bringing together eBay Live broadcasts, trusted sellers, premium inventory, market-leading innovations, and interactive fan experiences in one destination.
The eBay Arena reflects the continued growth of eBay Live, giving collectors everywhere access to the excitement of The National through exclusive programming, marquee guests and real-time shopping experiences—whether they’re attending in person or tuning in from home.
“eBay Live is all about bringing fans closer to the people and passions that make collecting so special,” said Ashish Chhabra, Vice President of eBay Live. “The National is the perfect stage to bring that vision to life, giving collectors new ways to discover, learn and engage with The Hobby alongside experts and fellow fans.”
eBay Live takes center stage at The National
Across the five-day convention, the eBay Arena will feature more than 60 exclusive eBay Live streams, featuring marquee talent, museum-worthy memorabilia, and interactive fan experiences. The full eBay Live programming schedule from The National is available here – highlights include:
-
Dylan Harper will team up with seller Blez for an exclusive live basketball break where fans can chase his rookie cards on Friday, July 31 at 12–1 p.m. CT.
-
Taylen Kinney joins Black Gold Sports Cards for a special Live featuring 2025-26 Inception Basketball chasing NBA First Milestone Auto Relics on Friday, July 31 at 4:30–5:30 p.m. CT.
-
Jesser will join Upper Deck to auction authenticated Michael Jordan collectibles on Saturday, August 1 at 12:30–2 p.m. CT.
The National will also mark the premiere of Gronk Geeks Out, a new series featuring Rob Gronkowski as he discovers the stories, expertise and excitement behind sports card collecting alongside seller WeTheHobby. Attendees can catch the first installment IRL at the convention on Saturday, August 1 at 4–5 p.m. CT, or follow along on eBay Live.
“I’ve been on eBay since I was a kid, hunting for sports memorabilia and collectibles and some of my best memories are talking with my friends about what everyone wanted to add to their collection,” said Rob Gronkowski. “The best part of eBay Live is hanging out with people who care about The Hobby as much as I do – finding incredible collectibles and learning something every time you tune in. And with Gronk Geeks Out, fans get to come along for the ride with me, hopefully we find some major hits together.”
eBay celebrates 5M+ trading cards through Authenticity Guarantee and expands service
eBay is also expanding eligibility for Authenticity Guarantee for trading cards in the US, lowering the price threshold from $250 to $200 in coming weeks. The expanded eligibility applies to both raw and graded cards, as well as PSA Grading, and ship to PSA Vault services.
The announcement comes as more than five million trading cards have been processed through the Authenticity Guarantee service since its launch in 2022, helping collectors buy and sell with total confidence.
Collectors stopping by the eBay Arena can also get an early preview of new Authenticity Guarantee packaging for trading cards. Designed to provide enhanced protection for both raw and graded cards in transit, the new packaging offers a more premium unboxing experience, and is expected to roll out later this year.
Rare collectibles and exclusive programming
The eBay Arena will showcase some of The Hobby’s most sought-after memorabilia including a once-in-a-generation LeBron James collection displayed throughout the space. Fans can also watch a special eBay Live conversation featuring Mike Bibby, Gary Payton, Kendrick Perkins and LeBron’s former St. Vincent–St. Mary teammates as they share stories behind the memorabilia and reflect on LeBron’s legendary career.
There will also be an extraordinary display of authenticated Michael Jordan memorabilia from Upper Deck — available only on eBay. From July 30 through August 9, collectors can bid on23 rare Jordan grails from Upper Deck, including game-used memorabilia, signed jerseys and a one-of-a-kind slabbed, signed, and inscribed full box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball cards. Select items will also be featured during a dedicated eBay Live stream featuring Jesser, Craig Hodges, and more.
Interactive experiences throughout the eBay Arena
The space will also offer a host of interactive challenges, games and surprise moments for showgoers, including:
-
The Price Guide Challenge – Test your pricing knowledge using eBay’s Price Guide for the chance to win prizes.
-
Collector Cardcade– A digital gaming experience featuring hobby-themed tri
-
Tunnel Experience – An athlete-inspired photo opportunity that lets fans make their own entrance into the eBay Arena.
-
Be a Breaker at eBay Trade Nights – Collectors who purchase qualifying football, baseball or basketball blasters or mega boxes from participating sellers can step behind the camera and experience hosting a live break on eBay Live.
-
Player Band – Fans can stay connected to the action with interactive wristbands that sync with eBay Live, lighting up and sending real-time alerts for can’t-miss moments across the booth.
-
Premium inventory displays with QR codes that instantly connect fans to featured eBay Live programming and showcased collectibles.
Whether attending in person or tuning in from home, fans can experience the excitement of The National through eBay Live and online with exclusive livestreams and community-driven moments that bring collectors closer to The Hobby than ever before. To tune in and learn more, visit the eBay Hub.
eBay has long been a trusted destination for fans to buy and sell authentic items tied to the moments that define sports, style and pop culture, and eBay Live brings fans even closer to the action. Offering unrivaled inventory, trusted sellers and real-time community interaction, eBay’s live shopping experience continues to grow.
For more information and to explore upcoming eBay Live programming, visit ebay.com/ebaylive.
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that connects people and builds communities to create economic opportunity for all. Our technology empowers millions of buyers and sellers in more than 190 markets around the world, providing everyone the opportunity to grow and thrive. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2025, eBay enabled nearly $80 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
