It started with a whisper in the sports world, a teaser clip here, a cryptic emoji there. What if the biggest names in sports all came together for the fans? Now, that dream is about to become reality. Picture the lights, the roar of the crowd, and the electric energy in the air as Alex Rodriguez, one of baseball’s most famous sluggers, steps onto the stage. But he’s not alone. Standing beside him is football legend Tom Brady. And they’re joined by a lineup of sports icons from different worlds, each ready to compete in ways fans have never seen before. This isn’t your average fan event.

It’s a three-day, full-throttle competition that’s set to take place at New York City’s Javits Center from June 20–22. The Fanatics Games 2025 is rewriting the playbook for fan engagement. It’s no longer just autographs and Q&As; this time, fans will actually compete alongside sports royalty. Suddenly, that crossover dribble or perfect spiral in your backyard might be worth something.

Rodriguez, an MLB legend with over 3,000 career hits and now a media mogul, isn’t just showing up for photo ops. He’s part of the skills-based competition that will pit 50 selected fans against a celebrity lineup so stacked it reads like an ESPY award night: Brady, James Harden, Micah Parsons, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, John Cena, Russell Wilson, and the list goes on. From quarterback accuracy drills to NBA-style shootouts, FIFA challenges to hockey puck snipes, these legends will be sweating right beside their biggest fans.

To even earn a spot in the Fanatics Games, participants had to submit a highlight video, dunking, juggling, throwing, whatever showcased raw talent. They have to pitch why they deserve to be on stage. Out of thousands of entries, only 50 were selected. The numbers tell part of the story. Last year, Fanatics Fest made headlines with a staggering 70,000 fans and hundreds of athletes and celebrities coming together under one roof. Now, as this year’s event approaches, the excitement is top-notch.

This isn’t nostalgia. This is a collision of modern sports culture and fan fantasy, and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin is steering the ship. “Seeing the pure joy, excitement and enthusiasm from all the fans who attended our first event last summer was absolutely incredible, and I could not be more excited to bring Fanatics Fest back to New York City this June,” Rubin said back in December with the announcement of the event. Live streaming, behind-the-scenes footage, and influencer coverage are turning the Games into the Super Bowl of fan-driven events

So when Rodriguez steps onto the field next weekend, it won’t be about his legacy. But it will also be about showing that even legends can be outperformed by a passionate fan with a dream and something to prove. And yes, the stakes are real.

The stakes are sky-high, and so are the rewards

If the thrill of competing against Tom Brady or Alex Rodriguez isn’t enough, the Fanatics Games are dangling some jaw-dropping incentives. And they will turn this from a fun sideshow into a full-blown, life-changing event. Forget plastic trophies, this isn’t your neighborhood skills contest. The top prize? A cool $1 million in cash, awarded to the fan who outperforms everyone, including the pros.

Second place won’t be crying, either. They’ll be driving off in a Ferrari 812 GTS, a luxury sports car with enough horsepower to make anyone forget they just missed a million. And if you’re the third-best athlete in the building? You walk away with a LeBron James rookie card valued at $250,000. It’s a collector’s gem that’s as much an investment as it is a flex. But here’s the kicker: even if fans don’t crack the top three, the highest-scoring non-celebrity still takes home a $100,000 consolation prize. That’s right, just showing up and showing out could land you six figures.

The message is clear: Fanatics aren’t playing small. This is part competition, part cultural moment, and completely disruptive in the best way. They’re not just rewarding effort, they’re putting real money behind fan performance. It’s quite a step that blurs the boundaries among amusement, athletics, and potential opportunities.

What about those individuals chosen to participate in the competition? Every catch, shot, pass, or kick could be the one that changes their lives forever.