This is the second year for the card and autograph show, and first for the show Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill because the Duke Energy Convention Center is under construction.
Event Operator Mike Wilder said since it was a show they were planning to bring back, they were looking for replacement locations, including the convention centers in Northern Kentucky and Sharonville in northern Hamilton County. But Spooky Nook reached out to Wilder, he said.
“We looked at several locations,” Wilder said. “We ultimately landed on Spooky Nook thinking it would be a good fit as it’s a sports facility. It fits their mold.”
Because of the Duke Energy Center’s renovations, which closed in May and will be shut down for 18 months, there has been a few events canceled, like the 2025 Cincinnati Home and Garden Show and this December’s Reds Fest.
Spooky Nook in Hamilton is the largest indoor sports complex in the country with well over 1.2 million square feet, complete with a convention center and hotel, and was once home to the Champion paper mill. By comparison, Duke Engery Center in Cincinnati is 750,000 square feet.
Spooky Nook Sports Champion Mill, which bisects North B Street, partially opened 2022 as it gradually began hosting athletic events, though 2023 was its first big year, where it attracted thousands of visitors for several weekends over the summer. It’s done the same thing in 2024.
Spooky Nook spokeswoman Mackenzie Bender said they are “committed to being the premier destination for groups of all kinds, from corporate events to team-building retreats and beyond.”
“We believe that by showcasing the vibrant city of Hamilton and offering top-tier facilities, we can play a significant role in continuing to strengthen the local economy,” she said. “Our goal is to provide an exceptional experience that not only meets the needs of our clients but also highlights the rich culture and community spirit that Hamilton has to offer.”
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