FORT WALTON BEACH — Pokémon fans, sports card collectors and memorabilia enthusiasts will have a new place to buy, sell and trade this fall when Riptide CardCon takes over the Rigdon Center at the Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds.
The free event is scheduled for Sunday, October 18, 2026, and organizers say it will feature more than 210 vendor tables across roughly 22,000 square feet of the facility.
The show will span the Bowlegs, Brooks and West Foyer rooms, bringing together vendors specializing in Pokémon Trading Card Game cards, sports cards and memorabilia.
Organizers say most of the vendor tables have already been claimed, making Riptide CardCon one of the largest independent trading card shows in the region.
The event was founded and organized by Matt, an Air Force veteran, and organizers say many of the vendors participating are veterans as well. That military connection is expected to be part of the show’s broader Emerald Coast community focus.
“Riptide CardCon is about giving local collectors, vendors, and shops a big, well-run event right here on the Emerald Coast,” Matt, founder and organizer of Riptide CardCon, said. “We’ve built this from the ground up, and seeing the local business community show up to support it has been incredible.”
Local businesses supporting the event include Heavy Cards, Legacy Collection LLC, The Emporium and Retro Swap Shop. Gamemasters Guild, PCB Hobby, Pokeshop 850 and Pokestop 251 are also supporting the event through vending and local participation.
Food trucks will be available throughout the day, giving attendees an option to grab something to eat while browsing the vendor floor, trading cards, or shopping for collectibles.
The event’s tagline, “Bring the heat, ride the wave,” reflects its Emerald Coast roots.
Admission to Riptide CardCon is free and open to the community.
