Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show 2027
The largest B2B trade event for licensed sports and collegiate merchandise. 300+ exhibitors, every major league, and thousands of retail buyers — under one roof at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show 2027 at a glance
Confirmed dates, venue, hours and audience — pulled directly from the official Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show organiser.
| Event name | Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show 2027 (SLATS) |
|---|---|
| Dates | Wed 20 – Fri 22 January 2027 |
| Show hours | Wed & Thu 9am–5pm · Fri 9am–2pm PT |
| Venue | Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall (Upper Level) — 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109 |
| Organiser | Emerald Expositions (Emerald X) |
| Attendees | Trade-only · retailers, colleges, distributors, licensors, agencies |
| Nearest airport | Harry Reid International (LAS) — ~10 min by car |
| Official site | sportstailgateshow.com |
300+
Exhibitors
What you'll find at the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show
The only U.S. trade event dedicated entirely to the business of licensed sports and collegiate merchandise — apparel, headwear, drinkware, novelties, collectibles, and yes, trading cards.
300+ licensed manufacturers
Every major league
NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NASCAR, MLS — plus 200+ NCAA collegiate licensing programs and CLC / Learfield partners on the floor.
License to Buy & New Product Zone
Money-back rewards for qualified retailers writing orders on the floor, plus a curated zone spotlighting the newest 2027 SKUs.
The buyers you came to meet
SLATS is a qualified show — every buyer is vetted. In 2025 the floor drew mass-market chains, fan retailers and hundreds of campus bookstores.
Planning your visit to SLATS 2027 in Las Vegas
Getting there
The Las Vegas Convention Center sits on Paradise Road, ~10 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) and served by the LVCC Loop. Ride-share pickup is on the South Hall lower level.
Where to stay
Emerald typically publishes an official SLATS hotel block with Renaissance Las Vegas, Westgate, Encore, Wynn, Resorts World and other Convention Center-adjacent properties. Book by mid-December to avoid 40–60% rate spikes.
Registration windows
Retail, college/school buyers, distributors and licensing departments generally register free during the early-bird window; service providers and suppliers pay tiered fees. Credentials are reviewed for qualified categories.
What to bring
Buyer credentials (business licence, retailer ID), business cards, sample-request list, and — for exhibitors — a lead-capture plan and shipping cut-off calendar (advance warehouse deadlines land in mid-January).
Why visit QPMN at SLATS 2027
Whether you are a professional league licensee, a college licensing department, a fan-shop retailer or a marketing team behind an athlete brand, QPMN is your first step toward launching collectible sports card products for your fanbase — with zero MOQ and shelf-ready finishes.
Get a Free Custom Sample Pack
Submit your own artwork and receive a professionally printed booster pack sample — completely free. See QPMN's quality before you commit.
1-on-1 Licensing Consultation
Speak directly with our IP licensing specialists about turning your characters, athletes, or franchises into revenue-generating collectible card lines.
Exclusive Expo Pricing
SLATS 2027 attendees unlock special bulk pricing and priority onboarding — available only during the event.
Turn your licensed sports IP into collectible trading cards.
QPMN is a print-on-demand manufacturer for custom sports trading cards, randomized booster packs, puzzles and collectibles. If you exhibit at or attend SLATS 2027, walk into meetings holding a finished, sealed pack of your IP — team, league, collegiate or athlete — instead of a slide deck.
- True card randomization — set your own pull rates for base, parallels, inserts and chase hits.
- No minimum order — print 1 pack or 100,000. Test a college programme or athlete deal before tooling.
- Premium finishes — holographic, refractor foil, textured, matte, rainbow stocks.
- White-label fulfilment — ships worldwide under your brand, no QPMN branding.
- Store integrations — Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, Squarespace or plug into our API.
- FlexiBulk pricing — bulk-tier unit costs without holding inventory.
How it works — from licensed artwork to sealed booster pack
Minutes to configure, days to receive. No factory negotiations, no MOQ, no offshore lead times.
Upload artwork
Configure the pack
Order & ship worldwide
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show 2027?
SLATS 2027 runs Wednesday 20 January to Friday 22 January 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall (Upper Level).
Where is SLATS 2027 held?
Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall, Upper Level, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA.
Who organises the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show?
Emerald Expositions (Emerald X), which also produces ASD Market Week, Outdoor Retailer and Surf Expo.
How much does it cost to attend SLATS 2027?
Retail buyers, college/school buyers, distributors and licensing departments typically register free during the early-bird window, with tiered fees for service providers, agencies and suppliers. Confirm current 2027 pricing on the official SLATS site.
Who exhibits at the Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show?
Roughly 300+ licensees and manufacturers spanning licensed apparel, headwear, drinkware, home & tailgate goods, jewellery, plush, tech accessories, trading cards and collectibles — representing every major U.S. sports league and 200+ college programs.
Is SLATS open to the public?
No. SLATS is a trade-only, qualified show. Retail buyers, college licensing departments and other qualifying attendees must upload credentials for approval.
What is the License to Buy programme?
License to Buy gives qualified retailers money-back rewards on orders written with participating exhibitors at the show. Exhibitors buy in via the show directory.
Can I make custom licensed sports trading cards or booster packs for my team, league or college?
Yes. QPMN prints and fulfils fully randomized custom sports trading cards and booster packs with no minimum order, holographic and foil finishes, and global white-label shipping. SLATS 2027 attendees can request a free custom sports card sample printed with their own artwork.
Is there a hotel block for SLATS 2027?
Emerald publishes an official SLATS hotel block each year with LVCC-adjacent properties. Book by mid-December to lock in show-rate inventory.
Get your free custom sports trading card sample pack
Free for licensors, licensees, college licensing programmes, retail buyers and brand teams attending Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show 2027. We print a real sample pack with your artwork at no cost. Pick it up at our SLATS 2027 booth, or tell us where to ship — we'll deliver it worldwide before the show.
Sources & last verified
- Official event site — Sports Licensing & Tailgate Show, Emerald Expositions
- Show dates & hours — sportstailgateshow.com/show-info/dates-hours
- About the show — sportstailgateshow.com/show-info/about-the-show
- Exhibitor benefits — sportstailgateshow.com/exhibitor/why-exhibit
- Industry coverage — The Licensing Letter, License Global
Page last verified: 17 August 2026 · Maintained by the QPMN team. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.