Hanami is a German trading‑card convention that debuted in 2026. The inaugural event was held on 28–29 March 2026 at the Wassermannhalle in Cologne, Germany, and was promoted as “the first‑ever Hanami Convention.” It is organized by three prominent entities in the card‑collecting community—ETA Collectibles, CardSharks, and Overworld—and targets collectors, players, and traders of trading‑card games (TCGs), sports cards, and non‑sports collectible cards.
Overview
- Type: Trade show / collector convention focused on trading cards.
- Location: Wassermannhalle, 50829 Köln, Germany.
- Dates (first edition): 28–29 March 2026; subsequent editions announced for summer and autumn 2026 (e.g., “Hanami Summer” 15‑16 August 2026 and “Hanami 2.0” 14‑15 November 2026).
- Organisers: ETA Collectibles, CardSharks, Overworld.
- Attendance: Reported to attract over 5 000 visitors and more than 300 vendor tables in later editions.
Activities
The convention offers a venue for:
- Buying, selling, and trading of TCGs (e.g., Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering), sports cards, and other collectibles.
- Vendor booths where merchants display rare and graded cards; the 2026 edition featured over 300 tables covering a broad range of products.
- Grading services: CGC partnered with ETA Collectibles to accept card submissions for professional grading on‑site, with graded TCGs processed at CGC’s Munich facility.
- Community engagement: Appearances by content creators and influencers (e.g., “Mr. Cegi,” “Umbreon Collection”) who interact with attendees through panels, signings, and live streams.
Significance
Hanami aims to consolidate Germany’s fragmented trading‑card scene into a single, large‑scale event that mirrors similar conventions in North America and Asia. By integrating grading services and high‑profile creator participation, the organizers seek to create a “meeting space for collectors, TCG players, and traders” where both hobbyist and professional activities coexist.
Subsequent Editions
Following the inaugural show, the brand expanded its calendar:
- Hanami Summer (15‑16 August 2026): A two‑day summer event featuring additional vendor space and community programming.
- Hanami 2.0 (14‑15 November 2026): Marketed as a larger “4500 m²” exhibition with more than 300 tables, emphasizing premium dealer participation.
References
- Official Hanami Convention website (https://hanami-con.de) describing event dates, venue, ticket types, and program highlights.
- CGC press release (3 March 2026) confirming the partnership with ETA Collectibles for on‑site grading services at the March 28‑29 show.
Note: While the convention has established a presence in German card‑collecting circles, it is not yet widely recognized as an enduring international institution; thus, encyclopedic coverage remains limited.