Fanatics Collectibles is set to open a major new hobby destination in Paris on October 23, marking the company’s first retail store in continental Europe. Located on Rue Saint-Lazare, the new flagship continues the brand’s push into in-person retail after the strong early performance of its London location.
The Paris store is designed as more than a standard card shop. Fanatics is positioning it as a large-format collector space centered on trading cards, community activity, live events, and exclusive product tied to the local market. For collectors in France and across mainland Europe, the opening adds a high-profile destination focused on both sealed product and the broader hobby experience.
Paris Becomes the Next Major European Hobby Hub
Paris has long been one of Europe’s most active sports cities, making it a logical next step for a collector-focused expansion. The new store will give fans direct access to licensed trading cards tied to several of the world’s most popular sports properties, while also bringing entertainment brands into the mix.
Fanatics said the store will carry official trading cards for Paris Saint-Germain, UEFA Champions League, Formula 1, NBA, NFL, and MLB. The product assortment is also expected to include entertainment releases featuring Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars, along with stickers and memorabilia.
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That range matters because it broadens the store’s appeal beyond a single segment of the hobby. Soccer collectors will be a major audience in Paris, but the inclusion of American sports, motorsports, and entertainment cards gives the location a wider footprint and a better chance to become a year-round destination for both dedicated hobbyists and casual visitors.
What the Store Will Offer Collectors
The Paris flagship will span 5,500 square feet, matching the size of the company’s existing London flagship. Within that footprint, trading cards will be the centerpiece, but the product mix goes beyond boxes and packs.
Fanatics said the store will also feature:
- Stickers
- Memorabilia
- Singles
- Collector supplies
- Exclusive Paris releases
- Live breaking events
- Community programming and special events
That formula reflects a modern hobby retail strategy. Rather than relying strictly on shelf inventory, the store is being built as an experience-driven space where collectors can return for product drops, in-store events, breaking sessions, and local community activity.
For many collectors, that kind of setup can be just as important as the product list itself. Stores that regularly host events and foster in-person interaction often become central gathering points for local hobby scenes. Fanatics is clearly aiming for that outcome in Paris.
London’s Early Success Set the Stage
The move into Paris follows a strong debut for the company’s first global flagship on Regent Street in London. Since opening in April 2025, the London store has reportedly welcomed more than one million visitors. Foot traffic has reached as high as 20,000 people in a single week, a notable figure for a specialty retail concept built around collecting.
Those numbers help explain why Fanatics moved quickly to establish another flagship presence in Europe. London proved that a premium, event-oriented trading card store could attract not only local collectors but also tourists and visiting hobbyists looking for product launches, special programming, and a highly visible retail setting.
The Paris store appears to be using that same blueprint. Matching the square footage is one sign. Emphasizing live events, exclusive releases, and a broad collector inventory is another. The company is not opening a small satellite location. It is building a second major European showcase.
Why France Is an Important Market
Fanatics also pointed to rising momentum in France as a key reason for the expansion. The company said its business in the country grew 55 percent in 2025, suggesting that collector demand in France is strengthening at a meaningful pace.
That growth is especially notable because France offers a mix of established and emerging hobby opportunities. Soccer remains the obvious anchor, particularly with a global club like Paris Saint-Germain and strong regional interest in UEFA competitions. But the French market also has growing crossover appeal for Formula 1, basketball, American football, baseball, and entertainment collectibles.
From a retail standpoint, Paris gives Fanatics access to a city with local demand, international tourism, and strong visibility. A flagship in that environment can function as both a store and a brand statement, especially if exclusive product and event programming are able to draw repeat traffic.
Fanatics Sees Community as a Core Part of the Model
Company leadership has framed the new store as an extension of what worked in London: not just card sales, but collector engagement. The emphasis is on creating a place where longtime hobby participants and first-time buyers can interact with the product in a more immersive way.
That is a notable point in the current retail landscape. Trading card demand is often driven by online drops, secondary market platforms, and breaker ecosystems, but physical hobby spaces still play an important role in building community. A successful flagship can serve multiple functions at once, acting as a retail outlet, event venue, educational entry point, and social gathering place.
In Paris, Fanatics is leaning heavily into that idea. Live breaking sessions and event programming are expected to be part of the in-store experience, giving collectors reasons to visit even when they are not simply shopping for wax or singles. That approach can be especially effective in a major city where local collectors and traveling fans are both part of the audience.
Product Mix Could Make the Store One of Europe’s Broadest Selections
One of the more significant details attached to the launch is the scale of the planned inventory. Fanatics said the Rue Saint-Lazare location will hold one of the largest trading card selections in Europe.
If that claim is borne out in practice, it could make the Paris flagship an especially attractive stop for collectors who want a wide variety of licensed products in one place. The named categories already suggest a broad mix:
- European soccer cards and stickers
- Club-specific products, including Paris Saint-Germain
- UEFA Champions League trading cards
- Formula 1 cards
- NBA basketball cards
- NFL football cards
- MLB baseball cards
- Entertainment cards tied to Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars
That kind of inventory depth may help the store stand apart from a traditional local card shop model. It also fits with the flagship concept, where selection size and brand presentation are part of the draw.
What the October 23 Opening Means for Collectors
The October 23 opening gives collectors in France a new central location at a time when the hobby continues to evolve globally. For local fans, it creates an accessible brick-and-mortar venue focused on licensed cards, singles, memorabilia, and community events. For collectors traveling through Paris, it adds another marquee destination on the European hobby map.
It also signals that Fanatics sees continued room for physical retail growth in the trading card space. Even as e-commerce remains vital, the company is investing in stores that are built around experience, visibility, and recurring engagement. The decision to bring that model to Paris suggests confidence that demand in continental Europe can support a large-scale hobby retail concept.
Collectors visiting the new location can expect a store built around current licensed products, in-person programming, and special local releases, with trading cards remaining at the center of the experience when the doors open on Rue Saint-Lazare on October 23.
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