GLD at Fanatics Fest NYC 2026: The Biggest Weekend in Sports

GLD Takes Over Fanatics Fest

GLD took over Fanatics Fest in NYC for four days, from July 16–19 at the Javits Center, following the kickoff of the new partnership with Mitchell & Ness. During the biggest weekend in sports, with the #1 Sports Festival and the World Cup Final happening simultaneously, GLD’s Booth 3848 became the center of all the action. Prominent names across sports, fashion, and music came out to support, shining in their GLD pieces. We had GLD’s officially licensed NBA, MLB, and NFL collections on display, featuring pieces from every professional sports franchise. The booth was decked out with deli-style fridges showcasing custom jerseys, hats, GLD pieces, and more.

We came through with our signature large GLD iced-out custom pendants and chains, worn throughout the weekend by some of the biggest names in culture. GLD’s design team created a large Fanatics Fest chain featuring the Fanatics logo, as well as a large iced-out all-access pass, each featuring an array of brilliant hand-set stones that lit up the room.

Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, pulled up to the booth, put on the custom Fanatics Fest GLD pendant, and summed up the weekend with just two words: "That's fire." Annnnnd we also showed up with a huge giveaway as the official prize partner for the #1 Sports Fan Contest. Here’s how it all went down.

The #1 Sports Fan Contest

GLD was named the official prize partner for the #1 Sports Fan Contest, where the winner took home a dream year of sports and a 1-of-1 GLD piece. The piece features the Fanatics logo and is a custom two-toned solid gold diamond pendant valued at $25K with over 5 carats of VS1 white and canary diamonds. Along with the custom piece, the winner also walked away with tickets to the biggest sporting experiences throughout the year. This included Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles, access to the Fanatics Fest Super Bowl Party, tickets to UFC 330, VIP tickets to the 2027 Fanatics Fest in NYC, tickets to the Mets or Yankees Opening Day game, tickets to the Knicks home opener, tickets to WWE SummerSlam 2027, along with athlete autographs and photo ops, and the opportunity to compete at the Fanatics Games. We know. That is a lot. To enter the contest, attendees were asked to show up in their ultimate sports-inspired fan look, check in, get their photo taken, and share the photo using the hashtag #1sportsfan while tagging @FanaticsFest. Fans showed up with some of the most creative costumes, including Knicks championship parade floats, inflatable soccer balls, and actual goats. Check out some of the finalists here.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Deuce McBride, and the Knicks Championship Pendants

During what is arguably the best summer in NYC, the 2026 NBA Champion Knicks were in the building rocking their GLD. We gifted Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns the official GLD Knicks Championship Pendant when he came to the GLD booth and he threw it on right away for the rest of Fanatics Fest. 

Knicks point guard Miles McBride, also known as Deuce McBride, stopped by GLD’s Booth 3848 for an exclusive meet-and-greet with fans. Deuce, who has also been seen wearing GLD pieces throughout the NBA Finals, rocked his Knicks Championship Pendant for the meet-and-greet. Hundreds of excited fans stopped by for a chance to meet and chop it up with the champ.

 

Stars, Legends, and Tastemakers Show Out at GLD’s Booth 3848

When GLD’s in the building, you know the stars are in there too. Throughout the weekend, there was no shortage of appearances by athletes, musicians, fashion icons, and more at Booth 3848. Our exclusive meet-and-greet featured Knicks champion Deuce McBride, NY Jets running back Braelon Allen, NY Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., Knicks center Andre Drummond, and NY Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. They all came through shining in GLD pieces too, with Braelon Allen wearing the GLD x Bloody Osiris Iced Moissanite Large Cross Pendant, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. wearing the Iced Plain Ball Chain, Diamond Tennis Chain, and NY Giants Official NFL Pendant.

MLB legends Ryan Howard and Gary Sheffield stopped by, wearing the Philadelphia Phillies Official MLB Lariat Necklace and the New York Yankees Judge Official MLBPA Polished Batting Pendant, respectively. 

NFL running back Leonard Fournette came by the booth rocking the 12mm Iced Ball Chain in 14K white gold. Model and fashion designer Aleali May threw on the custom all-access piece featuring black, yellow, and white hand-set stones. Actor Khleo Thomas wore the large Fanatics Fest logo custom pendant. The Kid Mero pulled up in the NY Knicks Official NBA Micro Logo Pendant. Jazlyn, also known as Jazzy from Jazzy’s World TV, also rocked the iced-out all-access pass, while WNBA players Theresa Plaisance and Sydney Colson came through and got iced-out. Theresa got her GLD piece and immediately said "I just… feel better with this on."

Other stars stopped by the booth to show love, including Cash Cobain, Lala Anthony, Travis Scott, and more. Travis Scott even threw on the custom GLD Fanatics Fest pendant and posed with his signature head-down look. It’s Lit!

 

Meanwhile at MetLife: Odell Beckham Jr. and Elischa Edouard at the World Cup Final

While GLD was holding down Booth 3848 at Fanatics Fest, the biggest sporting event in the world was happening at the same time. The 2026 World Cup Final, held on Sunday, July 19, saw GLD in the building as well, with athletes and streamers showing up in different GLD pieces. Giants legend Odell Beckham Jr. showed up wearing the GLD Pearl Cross Chain, while popular influencer Elischa Edouard saw Spain win it all in his Spain Spinning Globe Flag Pendant. The two biggest events in sports, Fanatics Fest and the World Cup Final, just so happened to take place on the same weekend, and, of course, GLD was at both. GLD showed out all weekend, coming through with custom and classic pieces, special moments for the fans, once-in-a-lifetime giveaways, and previews of upcoming collaborations (keep an eye out for what’s coming with Theockyway). Stay tuned for what’s next from GLD and Mitchell & Ness’ ongoing partnership. This is just the beginning.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fanatics Fest NYC 2026?
Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 was a four-day sports and culture festival held at the Javits Center in New York from July 16–19, featuring athlete meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise, live programming, and the #1 Sports Fan Contest.

What was GLD's role at Fanatics Fest 2026?
GLD was the official prize partner for the #1 Sports Fan Contest at Fanatics Fest 2026, operating Booth 3848 at the Javits Center. GLD's booth featured officially licensed NBA, MLB, and NFL collections, custom pieces, and exclusive meet-and-greets with athletes including Deuce McBride, Braelon Allen, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Andre Drummond, and Omar Cooper Jr.

What was the GLD prize at Fanatics Fest 2026?
GLD created a custom two-toned solid gold diamond pendant valued at $25K with over 5 carats of VS1 white and canary diamonds featuring the Fanatics Fest logo. The pendant was the centerpiece of the #1 Sports Fan Contest prize package, which also included tickets to Super Bowl LXI, UFC 330, WWE SummerSlam 2027, the Knicks home opener, and VIP tickets to Fanatics Fest 2027.

Who showed up to GLD's booth at Fanatics Fest 2026?
GLD's Booth 3848 saw appearances from Karl-Anthony Towns, Deuce McBride, Braelon Allen, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Andre Drummond, Omar Cooper Jr., Ryan Howard, Gary Sheffield, Leonard Fournette, Travis Scott, Lala Anthony, Cash Cobain, Aleali May, Khleo Thomas, The Kid Mero, and more throughout the four days.

J John Polanco