Fanatics Fest 2025 is happening this summer, and the company recently announced the debut of the “Fanatics Games.” The competition will be attended by 50 athletes, celebrities, and influencers, including current NFL quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jayden Daniels.
Fanatics CEO and founder Michael Rubin posted about the event on Instagram, and the two quarterbacks, among other participants, reacted to the announcement.
Russell Wilson and Jayden Daniels React to Pros vs. Joes ‘Fanatics Games’
Last year’s Fanatics Fest was the company’s first attempt at bringing together fans and athletes from major sports leagues. Fanatics is a growing giant in the sports e-commerce industry. They hold licensing deals with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WWE, and many other leagues.
CNBC’s Jessica Golden reported that the 2024 event brought in more than 70,000 fans by offering league activations, autograph signings, and a trading card show. The company is hoping for over 100,000 fans this year, and raised the stakes by offering $2 million in prizes for the “Fanatics Games.”
Golden wrote, “The company announced Tuesday it is introducing a skills-based competition at Fanatics Fest 2025, taking place June 20-22 in New York City. Fanatics says more than $2 million will be given away in prizes, including a $1 million cash prize for first place, a Ferrari 812 GTS for second place and a Lebron James collectors card worth $250,000 for third place.”
A prize will still be handed out if no fan finishes in the top three. Golden continued, “If no fans finish in the top three, falling short of the celebrity competitors, the highest-scoring fan will receive $100,000. If a celebrity competitor comes in first, they take home the seven-figure prize.”
Rubin’s Instagram post broke down the list of celebrities who will participate in the “Fanatics Games,” and the list of prizes for the top three finishers.
View this post on Instagram
The celebrity list includes Wilson, Daniels, Tom Brady, CJ Stroud, Micah Parsons, WWE wrestlers Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, Seth Rollins, and Cody Rhodes, and MLB great Alex Rodriguez, among others.
Daniels reacted, “LFG,” with a fire emoji. Wilson said, “Game on.”
Golden broke down the list of events, which will include “Major League Baseball pitching accuracy, National Hockey League slapshot accuracy, National Football League passing accuracy, a National Basketball Association shooting competition, a FIFA goal scoring challenge and a golfing contest.”
Rubin’s post added a UFC striking challenge and WWE superstar entrance to the event list.
Fanatics Events CEO Lance Fensterman was quoted in Golden’s article. He talked about the genesis of the event, saying, “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.”
It sounds like an awesome event to bring fans, athletes, celebrities, and influencers together. Fanatics continues to grow and a successful “Fanatics Games” will likely bring the company to new heights.