Live Blogging: Chicagoland Sports Spectacular

Update: Time 7:48 pm:

I did wind up getting that 1991 Micro set for $10.00. The gentleman even threw in the 1984 Topps Ralston-Purina set for free. 

One final seller had the 1990 Topps Ames set that I will add to my department store set binder and to supplement the Ralston set, I also bought the 1986 Topps Quaker Chewy Granola Bar set. Both purchased for a combined 10 bucks as well.

Last purchase was for another box of Ultra-Pro Platinum sheets. Just need to buy that 6-inch binder so I can start building the binder.

My budget for the show was $300.00. I am left with $170.00. Total spent in cards and supplies: $95.00. 

Overall, a good show. But I think I will skip tomorrow and enjoy a rare Saturday off and relax.

Now I just have to update the wantlist to see which 14 cards are left to find. 

Thanks for joining me on this live blogging event. Maybe I'll do this again at the National.

Update: Time 6:45 pm:

And sure enough, the hunt stalled. I did find a couple of dealers who had plenty of this year's base, and I am sure I could probably complete a set or 10 if I tried. However, one dealer did not have ANY inserts, while the other one had some, but none I needed. Definitely getting my steps in, but nothing to show. 

Observations:

Nice to see the youth out in full force. Many of them trying to hustle dealers with whatever graded rarities they believe will net them a big score. So many of them with the attache cases and wheelers like their hauling gold bars. Have to give them props for the effort. 

Jose Canseco is in the building. It looks like the autograph guests are behind a couple of walls of partitions, so it's not like anyone can take a far off picture of them. 

There truly is something about these shows. There really is something here for everyone. Just because I can't find what I am looking for doesn't mean that the next guy or gal isn't going to find the next card to whittle down theit want list. 

I did find a seller who has a few boxes of 1991 Topps Micro for 10 bucks. Maybe I'll go back there and geab one before I go.

Update: Time 5:10 pm:

Found my favorite dealer at the show. This has been the giy I've been coming to first at these shows for the last 4-plus years I've shown up here. With the exception of last fall, when the delays of 2025 Topps Update left him without any inventory of insert cards, he's never disappointed. 

The man had 31 cards that I needed, including the last Stars of MLB (Trout) and last 6 Greatest Hits cards I needed to complete those sets. 

The wantlist is now down to 14. Now the had part begins. There aren't many others dealing in current insert singles and I do not have the patience to gp through boxes of mixed cards (seriously, is it that big a pain to sort??!)

Wish me luck 

Update: Time 4:47 pm:

I have arrived. General admission tickets are $15.00 tonight. It's busy for a Friday night. Time to get this show on the road.

Friday, March 13, 2026, Time 4:20 pm:

Leaving work now. I have my want lists printed and ready to go. Next stop: the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, where the Chicago Sports Spectacular is being held this weekend. The goal: to find and buy the 45 cards I need to complete the 2026 Topps Series 1 master set. Will I find all of the cards I need tonight? I'm not counting on it, but it would be an achievement if I am able to. 

Wish me luck. I'm going to make updates on my progress. Next post will be when I arrive. Wish me luck.

Sincerely,

JayBee Anama