Cards Convention — Trading Card Event LONDON lands at BOXPARK Croydon on the weekend of 27-28 June 2026. Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, vintage and graded singles, dozens of UK and EU traders under one roof. Here's everything you need to know — tickets, where to stay, and how to make a weekend of it.
🎟️ TICKETS
Get tickets via Skiddle
Day passes + weekend passes available. Trader stalls go fast — early-bird worth it if you want first pick.
The vibe
Cards conventions blew up in 2023 and have become proper destination weekends for UK and European collectors. BOXPARK Croydon is the right venue — multi-level, food + bar built in, easy access from London Bridge (15 min via Thameslink). Expect: dozens of trader stalls, graded card pulls, swap meets, live tournaments, sleeve and binder vendors, plus the usual BOXPARK food trucks and beer for breaks between negotiations.
Who's it for?
- Pokémon collectors — vintage WOTC, Japanese sets, sealed graded singles
- MTG players + collectors — vintage Power 9, modern competitive singles, sealed product
- Sports card collectors — Topps, Panini, football autograph hits, basketball, NFL
- Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece, Lorcana — newer TCGs are growing presence at UK events
- Casual fans — booster box draft sessions, graded grab bags, family-friendly
🎁 FREE — WIN £50 EVERY MONTH
Win a £50 Inspire Travel Card every month
Subscribe — every newsletter sub is auto-entered to win a £50 travel card. Spend on TUI, Jet2, Booking.com, Trainline + more.
🏨 Where to stay if you're travelling in
Croydon is 15-30 minutes from central London by train. If you're flying in or coming from further afield, here are the smart options:
Stay in Croydon (closest to venue)
Cheaper, walking distance to BOXPARK, less London-tax. Premier Inn + Hampton by Hilton both within 10 minutes of the venue.
🏨 Search Croydon hotels via Hotels.com →
Stay in central London (for the weekend full London experience)
If you want to do tourist London too — Tower of London, the West End, the Tube — base yourself near London Bridge or Waterloo. 15-25 minutes to Croydon via Thameslink.
🏨 Search London hotels via Hotels.com →
Stack with TopCashback for another 4-5% off the hotel — cashback guide.
🎟️ Things to do in London while you're around
Doing a single-day in then back home? Skip ahead. If you're staying overnight, here are 5 things worth pre-booking — most do skip-the-queue tickets via Tiqets and GetYourGuide:
Tower of London
London Eye
The Shard
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Tower Bridge
How to get to BOXPARK Croydon
- By train: East Croydon or West Croydon station, both 5-min walk to BOXPARK. Direct trains from London Bridge (15 min), Victoria (16 min), Gatwick (16 min)
- By tram: Croydon Tramlink stops at Wellesley Road (3-min walk)
- Driving: Croydon has paid car parks (Whitgift Centre, Centrale). Avoid unless absolutely necessary — traffic is rough.
- Coming from elsewhere in UK: Train to London then connecting service. From Manchester ~3h via London. From Birmingham ~2h 30m.
💷 The cashback play
If you're planning to drop serious money on cards this weekend, route any purchases via card rewards. Capital on Tap business card gives 1% cashback on all spend + free DragonPass lounge access for the flight home if you're EU-based — both stack nicely with a cards weekend.
🛋️ Travel essentials
- Airport lounge pass for flying in: Aviasales lounges — usually £25-35 entry, free Wi-Fi, food, real coffee
- Trainline split-ticketing can save 30-50% on Manchester/Birmingham/Leeds → London tickets
- Bring binders, sleeves, top-loaders, magnifier, USB power bank — convention essentials
🎁 FREE — WIN £50 EVERY MONTH
Win a £50 Inspire Travel Card every month
Subscribe — every newsletter sub is auto-entered to win a £50 travel card. Spend on TUI, Jet2, Booking.com, Trainline + more.
FAQ
When is Cards Convention London 2026?
27-28 June 2026 (Saturday + Sunday) at BOXPARK Croydon. Day and weekend passes available via Skiddle.
How much are tickets to Cards Convention?
Day passes typically start around £8-15, weekend passes £20-30. Early-bird tickets are cheapest. Live ticket prices on Skiddle →
What trading card games are at the convention?
Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece TCG, Lorcana, Flesh and Blood, sports cards (Topps, Panini), and graded singles across all categories. Vintage and modern.
Can I sell cards at the convention?
Trader stalls are by application via the convention organisers. Casual swap-meet trading happens informally between attendees — bring binders and your phone for pricing.
What's the closest hotel to BOXPARK Croydon?
Premier Inn Croydon Town Centre and Hampton by Hilton Croydon are both within a 10-minute walk. Both typically £80-110/night with summer dates booked early.
Is BOXPARK Croydon family-friendly?
Yes — open layout, food trucks, bar but no door restrictions on daytime sessions. Evening sessions may be 18+. Check the specific session you're attending on Skiddle.
