National Headed to Chicago Again in 2026

[Aaron Seefeldt]

So where will it be in 2024 & 2025?

[1954 topps]

Why was Chicago even on the ballot for 2026? That’s my main question, shouldn’t be allowed to be in the same place back to back years. Move it around a little bit, so frustrating. Atlanta, obviously nobody really wants to go there but between AC, Cleveland, and Atlanta maybe it’s worth trying somewhere new?

[x2drich2000]

Originally Posted by Aaron Seefeldt

So where will it be in 2024 & 2025?

2024 - Cleveland
2025 - Chicago
2026 - Chicago

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Aaron Seefeldt

So where will it be in 2024 & 2025?

Cleveland then Chicago.

I would vote to just leave it in Chicago, if I were voting. But that's just me. Everyone has their own opinion.

Happy to see the pick for 2026.
.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Guess the people like ratty buildings with A/C problems. Let them have it. I'll stay home.

[1954 topps]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Guess the people like ratty buildings with A/C problems. Let them have it. I'll stay home.

Agreed, no air conditioning and packed in like sardines. Nope I’m all set. I love Cleveland’s very spacious IX center, plentiful parking and nearly half price hotels compared to Chicago, so I’ll certainly be there next year. Then I’ll save my travel money for auctions.

[MBMiller25]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Agreed, no air conditioning and packed in like sardines. Nope I’m all set. I love Cleveland’s very spacious IX center, plentiful parking and nearly half price hotels compared to Chicago, so I’ll certainly be there next year. Then I’ll save my travel money for auctions.

Cleveland is less space than Chicago (Source Utube listen to show promoters on Jeremy Lee sports card live talking about Cleveland versus Chicago), coupled with the fact I paid $109 a night for my room at the Loew’s hotel in Chicago, ( so please show me equal level hotel accommodations for half that price In Cleveland) so irregardless of your opinion and frankly I’m fine with anywhere BUT Atlantic City, let’s at least try to be factual accurate when commenting.

[1954 topps]

Originally Posted by MBMiller25

Cleveland is less space than Chicago (Source Utube listen to show promoters on Jeremy Lee sports card live talking about Cleveland versus Chicago), coupled with the fact I paid $109 a night for my room at the Loew’s hotel in Chicago, ( so please show me equal level hotel accommodations for half that price In Cleveland) so irregardless of your opinion and frankly I’m fine with anywhere BUT Atlantic City, let’s at least try to be factual accurate when commenting.

Cleveland is 2.2M sq.ft which is almost 3x the size of Donald E. Stevens. The largest continuous space is 530k sq.ft vs 250k sq.ft. in Rosemont. Check both websites. Here I’ll even include link’s because I already know you won’t take the initiative to look for facts before calling someone out as “inaccurate”.

https://rosemont.com/desconvention/facility/

https://www.ixcenter.com/plan/floorplans-and-features/

I’ve never found a nice hotel for under $200 a night in Rosemont. $109 seems like an absolute bargain. Most hotels nearby even charge extra for parking. Some charge extra for a continental breakfast.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

If you are driving or have a ride, I have to imagine the hotels that are a bit farther away (but not by much) can't be in that price range. My frame of reference is admittedly very dated, but the last Chicago National I attended was in the 2010s. I stayed in Schiller Park, an 8 minute drive away. Hotel was much above average and in the $70 range via Priceline. Even with the ridiculous price hikes for accommodation, can it possibly be more than $150 today?

A slightly below average room in the Cleveland area was still under $80 in 2018. I've never stayed incredibly close to the I-X. Used to be able to find a nicer place in the $50-60 range a handful of years prior with courtesy limo rides (Lincoln Towncar or SUV) to any place within a certain radius of the hotel. Unfortunately, the convention center wasn't within that radius, but it allowed for easy dinner and drinks. I'm guessing that it would still be possible to find something in the $100-110 range today?

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Cleveland is 2.2M sq.ft which is almost 3x the size of Donald E. Stevens. The largest continuous space is 530k sq.ft vs 250k sq.ft. in Rosemont. Check both websites. Here I’ll even include link’s because I already know you won’t take the initiative to look for facts before calling someone out as “inaccurate”.

https://rosemont.com/desconvention/facility/

https://www.ixcenter.com/plan/floorplans-and-features/

I’ve never found a nice hotel for under $200 a night in Rosemont. $109 seems like an absolute bargain. Most hotels nearby even charge extra for parking. Some charge extra for a continental breakfast.

The National utilized the entire first floor of the Stephens Center this year which provided 600,000 sq.ft. according to the management company.

The IX Center, no matter the 2.2 million overall sq. ft. figure, has roughly 10% less space for booths than the Stephens Center did this year in one contiguous space. Hence, fewer booths.

If you book hotel rooms early through the National's booking company, you get reasonable rates if not staying across the street from the venue. For that convenience, you will pay appropriately.

Case in point, Hilton Garden Inn 1 mile from the Stephens Center was $139/night with free parking this year if booked through them.

Nice buffet breakfast was $16 but still put the daily rate at $155 + taxes with breakfast.

It was roughly double that rate for the room if you booked directly through Hilton a couple of weeks before the show and parking was an additional $15/day.

You have to plan early for the National if you want the best rates/deals.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Agreed, no air conditioning and packed in like sardines. Nope I’m all set. I love Cleveland’s very spacious IX center, plentiful parking and nearly half price hotels compared to Chicago, so I’ll certainly be there next year. Then I’ll save my travel money for auctions.

Not sure how Cleveland can be spacious when there's going to be LESS dealers there than at Chicago.

[Kzoo]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

Guess the people like ratty buildings with A/C problems. Let them have it. I'll stay home.

I like the Chicago National since it's only a 2.5 hour drive for me, but the last 2 have had the a/c issues and the lighting in there could use an upgrade. If they fix these 2 issues, then I'm ok with it alternating years moving forward. I still really want Vegas.