HipHopCanada was invited to Fanatics Fest NYC 2026, and after spending the weekend inside the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, one thing became clear: this wasn’t just a sports convention. It was a celebration of culture. For one weekend, the Javits Center became the epicentre of sports, music, fashion and entertainment, bringing together some of the biggest athletes, artists, creators and collectors from around the world under one roof. Every corner of the convention felt like a red carpet, with surprise moments waiting around every turn.
Hip-hop had a major presence. Jay-Z brought the legendary 40/40 Club to Fanatics Fest, creating one of the event’s most exclusive spaces, while Travis Scott drew massive crowds before closing out the weekend with his Cactus Jack and Friends Live performance. Fans were also treated to a surprise appearance from Justin Bieber, who joined the festivities and delivered one of the weekend’s most talked-about moments.
The celebrity sightings didn’t stop there. Throughout the weekend, stars including Lil Baby, Teyana Taylor, Kevin Hart, David Beckham, Serena Williams, Michael Rubin, and countless athletes, entertainers and content creators could be spotted throughout the convention floor, making Fanatics Fest feel less like a convention and more like the centre of pop culture.
Athletes brought the star power, too. LeBron James returned for live conversations and appearances, while Tom Brady generated one of the weekend’s biggest viral moments during his on-stage exchange with Logan Paul. Everywhere you looked, there was another superstar, Hall of Famer or internet personality interacting with fans.
WWE didn’t need a ring to steal the show. It only needed a stage. Throughout Fanatics Fest, the WWE zone became one of the convention’s busiest destinations as thousands of fans packed in for Superstar appearances, autograph signings, and live interviews. Then came the moments everyone would be talking about. “The OTC” Roman Reigns sent the crowd into overdrive with an unannounced appearance that instantly stopped fans in their tracks. Later, Paul Heyman reminded everyone why he’s one of the greatest talkers in sports entertainment history, commanding every ounce of attention before introducing Kevin Hart as the newest “Paul Heyman Guy.”
The excitement continued with the SummerSlam Kickoff, where WWE officially launched one of the biggest weeks of the year. Fans were treated to appearances from Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Oba Femi, Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, and Danhausen, giving the WWE Universe an early taste of what awaits at SummerSlam. At a festival built on unforgettable moments, WWE once again proved that few brands can match its ability to turn simple appearances into must-see entertainment.
Beyond the celebrity sightings, Fanatics Fest delivered exclusive merchandise, autograph sessions, live podcasts, gaming activations, high-end trading cards and immersive fan experiences that kept the energy high all weekend long.
More than anything, Fanatics Fest has become a reflection of where culture is today. Sports, hip-hop, wrestling, fashion and business no longer exist in separate lanes. They’ve become one ecosystem, and Fanatics Fest is where those worlds collided.
For three days in New York City, the lines between sports, music and entertainment all but disappeared. Fanatics Fest showcased how naturally those worlds now overlap.
Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 brought together hip-hop, sports, WWE and entertainment for a star-studded weekend in New York City.
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