In recent years, particularly during the pandemic, collectable card trading has exploded in popularity. With that in mind, Swarmm Events and Lake Country Cards are teaming up to bring the largest card show since the 1980s to downtown Milwaukee this weekend.

The Wisconsin Card Show will take over 51,000 square feet of the Baird Center Ballroom, running Friday through Sunday. The ballroom is located on the fourth floor of the Baird Center.

Nearly 300 tables of vendors will fill the ballroom, offering sports cards, trading card games and collectibles. Local shops such as Lake Country Cards in Oconomowoc, Mitch’s Sports Cards & Collectibles in Mequon and Brew Town Trading Co. in Greenfield will also be part of the starting lineup for the inaugural convention.

“We are excited to be partnering with WSC Sports who has put together an amazing list of athlete signers for Saturday and Sunday,” said Michael Sampson of Swarmm Events.

The card show will be an autograph hunter's haven, with current Milwaukee Brewers players including Jackson Chourio, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Freddy Peralta and Sal Frelick signing autographs throughout the weekend before taking on the Minnesota Twins at night. Former Brewers legends Robin Yount, Ryan Braun and Paul Molitor are also scheduled to appear. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs will sign items for fans, as well as Packers alum Jordy Nelson. A full list of athlete signers is available on the Wisconsin Card Show website.

Think you've got a gem, but need to verify it? Grading services will be available as well on site. “Attendees can drop off cards to submit for grading or autograph verification for our partners at CGC, PSA & JSA all weekend long,” Sampson added. “We are very excited to bring a large scale cards show to Milwaukee with plenty of room for expansion inside the Baird Center.”

Show hours are Friday, May 16th, from 3-8 p.m., Saturday, May 17th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, May 18th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After the show, popular trade nights will be hosted at Copper on King, located on MLK Drive.

If you're looking to score your next favorite card, or get your own treasures appraised, make sure you head Downtown this weekend.