Fanatics will host a qualifications problem between fanatics and celebrities, with $2 million at the line

Sports massive Fanatics is pitting fanatics in opposition to greats Tom Brady, Kevin Durant and Alex Rodriguez at an upcoming advertising tournament.

The corporate introduced Tuesday it’s introducing a skills-based pageant at Fanatics Fest 2025, happening June 20-22 in New York City. Fanatics says greater than $2 million will likely be given away in prizes, together with a $1 million money prize for first position, a Ferrari 812 GTS for 2nd position and a Lebron James creditors card value $250,000 for 3rd position. If no fanatics end within the most sensible 3, falling wanting the fame competition, the highest-scoring fan will obtain $100,000.

If a star competitor is available in first, they take house the seven-figure prize.

“I think the thinking was, how do we create even more of an insane environment where fans and athletes and streamers are all running around, in this case, quite literally, having a great time and showcasing all of that,” mentioned Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events.

It’s the second one Fanatics Fest after the inaugural tournament remaining 12 months drew greater than 70,000 fanatics and taken in combination main sports activities leagues and masses of present and previous athletes. The choices remaining 12 months incorporated league activations, autograph classes and a buying and selling playing cards and collectibles display.

This 12 months, Fanatics is hoping to head even larger — with a purpose of bringing in 100,000 attendees — as the corporate continues to expand its succeed in in sports activities advertising.

Michael Rubin obtained Fanatics in 2011 after merging it along with his corporate, GSI Commerce. What started as a sports activities e-commerce platform has advanced lately into a various sports activities platform providing buying and selling playing cards and sports activities memorabilia, are living buying groceries, making a bet and gaming, in addition to an occasions trade.

Fifty fanatics will likely be decided on to compete at Fanatics Fest 2025 in opposition to most sensible skill that still contains comic Kevin Hart, rapper Travis Scott, former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski, Los Angeles Clippers taking pictures guard James Harden and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles.

The pageant will come with Major League Baseball pitching accuracy, National Hockey League slapshot accuracy, National Football League passing accuracy, a National Basketball Association 3-point taking pictures pageant, a FIFA purpose scoring problem and a {golfing} simulator. Fans can observe to take part through filing a brief video within the Fanatics app.

While Fanatics’ occasions trade represents only a small fraction of commercial — remaining valued at $25 billion, in keeping with an individual aware of the corporate — Fensterman mentioned Fanatics Fest creates a large number of certain sentiment across the corporate.

“It’s incredibly impactful in terms of bringing the entire ecosystem together for the sole focus of delighting,” he mentioned.