National Headed to Chicago Again in 2026

[MBMiller25]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Agreed, no air conditioning and packed in like sardines. Nope I’m all set. I love Cleveland’s very spacious IX center, plentiful parking and nearly half price hotels compared to Chicago, so I’ll certainly be there next year. Then I’ll save my travel money for auctions.

Cleveland is less space than Chicago (Source Utube listen to show promoters on Jeremy Lee sports card live talking about Cleveland versus Chicago), coupled with the fact I paid $109 a night for my room at the Loew’s hotel in Chicago, ( so please show me equal level hotel accommodations for half that price In Cleveland) so irregardless of your opinion and frankly I’m fine with anywhere BUT Atlantic City, let’s at least try to be factual accurate when commenting.

[1954 topps]

Originally Posted by MBMiller25

Cleveland is less space than Chicago (Source Utube listen to show promoters on Jeremy Lee sports card live talking about Cleveland versus Chicago), coupled with the fact I paid $109 a night for my room at the Loew’s hotel in Chicago, ( so please show me equal level hotel accommodations for half that price In Cleveland) so irregardless of your opinion and frankly I’m fine with anywhere BUT Atlantic City, let’s at least try to be factual accurate when commenting.

Cleveland is 2.2M sq.ft which is almost 3x the size of Donald E. Stevens. The largest continuous space is 530k sq.ft vs 250k sq.ft. in Rosemont. Check both websites. Here I’ll even include link’s because I already know you won’t take the initiative to look for facts before calling someone out as “inaccurate”.

https://rosemont.com/desconvention/facility/

https://www.ixcenter.com/plan/floorplans-and-features/

I’ve never found a nice hotel for under $200 a night in Rosemont. $109 seems like an absolute bargain. Most hotels nearby even charge extra for parking. Some charge extra for a continental breakfast.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

If you are driving or have a ride, I have to imagine the hotels that are a bit farther away (but not by much) can't be in that price range. My frame of reference is admittedly very dated, but the last Chicago National I attended was in the 2010s. I stayed in Schiller Park, an 8 minute drive away. Hotel was much above average and in the $70 range via Priceline. Even with the ridiculous price hikes for accommodation, can it possibly be more than $150 today?

A slightly below average room in the Cleveland area was still under $80 in 2018. I've never stayed incredibly close to the I-X. Used to be able to find a nicer place in the $50-60 range a handful of years prior with courtesy limo rides (Lincoln Towncar or SUV) to any place within a certain radius of the hotel. Unfortunately, the convention center wasn't within that radius, but it allowed for easy dinner and drinks. I'm guessing that it would still be possible to find something in the $100-110 range today?

[Snapolit1]

If there was a top 5 list of subjects that will never die and will draw heated opinions one way or another ad infinitum . . . . this one is damm close to the top of the list.

I am not a seller. I am fine with the guys and gals schlepping their cases and boxes around to pick where they want to set up shop. While I like AC for proximity reasons and casinos, Chicago certain makes a lot of sense geographically. I know it's not as easy as just putting together a list of convention space size and throwing a dart at the board.

[Jewish-collector]

National in Chicago - always stayed in Schiller Park, usually here http://qualityinnohare.com/

National in Cleveland - usually stayed in Middleburg Heights, North Olmsted, Independence, Brunswick, Elyria etc,... was always an easy drive to the IX Center.

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by 1954 topps

Cleveland is 2.2M sq.ft which is almost 3x the size of Donald E. Stevens. The largest continuous space is 530k sq.ft vs 250k sq.ft. in Rosemont. Check both websites. Here I’ll even include link’s because I already know you won’t take the initiative to look for facts before calling someone out as “inaccurate”.

https://rosemont.com/desconvention/facility/

https://www.ixcenter.com/plan/floorplans-and-features/

I’ve never found a nice hotel for under $200 a night in Rosemont. $109 seems like an absolute bargain. Most hotels nearby even charge extra for parking. Some charge extra for a continental breakfast.

The National utilized the entire first floor of the Stephens Center this year which provided 600,000 sq.ft. according to the management company.

The IX Center, no matter the 2.2 million overall sq. ft. figure, has roughly 10% less space for booths than the Stephens Center did this year in one contiguous space. Hence, fewer booths.

If you book hotel rooms early through the National's booking company, you get reasonable rates if not staying across the street from the venue. For that convenience, you will pay appropriately.

Case in point, Hilton Garden Inn 1 mile from the Stephens Center was $139/night with free parking this year if booked through them.

Nice buffet breakfast was $16 but still put the daily rate at $155 + taxes with breakfast.

It was roughly double that rate for the room if you booked directly through Hilton a couple of weeks before the show and parking was an additional $15/day.

You have to plan early for the National if you want the best rates/deals.

[philliesfan]

So my first year of retirement is going to include a trip to Chicago......
Bob

[Yoda]

Don't forget Cleveland has the Rock and Roll HOF, which is a great nostalgia trip and definitely worth a visit if you haven't already done it.

[calvindog]

Which Cleveland hotel is: the closest to the IX/traditionally filled first?

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Which Cleveland hotel is: the closest to the IX/traditionally filled first?

They are all roughy 3 miles from the venue so just go to Conference Housing and select the one you want. I think November is the earliest you can actually book but you can request in advance but you have to number them 1-3 so you may not get your first choice.