If you are a consumer of fantasy football content, which if you have stumbled across this article you likely are, it is very possible that you have heard at least one of your favorite fantasy football analysts comment on the fantasy football expo in recent days. And, if you are like I was a couple of years ago, you are probably wondering what this fantasy football expo is. I just assumed this was an event that analysts went to, but had no idea what could possibly happen at such an event. In this article I am going to talk about my experience with this event, and explain why I think every fantasy football fan should make an effort to attend it, at least once!

So, what exactly is this fantasy football expo? The short answer is this…It is an event that brings fantasy football consumers and creators together at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But, there is so much more to it than simply this. This event is put on every year by @bob_lung and to me, it is the single greatest event on the fantasy football calendar. It takes place annually, the weekend after the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. 

Last year when I first attended this event, I was primarily a fantasy football content consumer. I still claim that to be the case, but I have been given the opportunity by @TheSportsAffili to dip my toes into the content creator world as a writer. I think my experience can be very similar to what most people can expect. If you attend this event solely as a content consumer with no ambition to try and be a creator, it is still absolutely amazing. Last year when I first arrived, I had no idea what to expect. I checked in with Bob Lung and his amazing wife, and before I even had a chance to process what was happening I was greeted by a group of analysts who were seated in the hotel lobby. That group included Pat Fitzmaurice, Matt Donnelly, Mauricio Gutierrez, Gemma Martinez, Derek Brown, JJ Wenner, and Jameson Hutchison. I was at once starstruck, but also felt incredibly welcomed. This unofficial greeting crew made me feel immediately welcomed, and also made a point of explaining that they were just people, and not to feel intimidated. I spent the rest of the weekend still coming to terms with that thought. As an introvert with anxiety issues, I still struggled with that concept.

The rest of the weekend was filled with events that did an amazing job of bringing all of the attendees together. And while I was still somewhat intimidated by some of the personalities around, I did my best to simply meet as many of them as I could. This effort led to my meeting and beginning a friendship with Scott Engel, Bob Harris, Scott Fish, and Jim Coventry. I absolutely cherish every interaction and discussion I have with these amazing gentlemen. That first year I missed out on meeting Marcas Grant, who was also in attendance. I did not make that same mistake when I went back this year. This year I made a point to introduce myself to both Marcas Grant and Mike Florio. This led to me having a great conversation with both of them.

But, the event includes much more than just meet and greet time. Before the opening night of the event there has been a poker tournament that has been put on by the fantasy lawyer, Drew Davenport. This event is where I was first introduced to my friends and colleagues at The Sports Affiliation. Once this is concluded there is a big party that also includes a large corn hole tournament. This is where I began to learn what everyone meant when they said they were just people. We were all there just talking about the game we love so much, and no one felt inaccessible. 

During the day on Saturday is when the experts draft at the King’s and Queen’s Classics. This was the only point of the weekend when I felt like the participants were somewhat off-limits. I didn’t want to interrupt their draft process, but simply being able to sit on their drafts helped me learn more about their processes, and was still amazing to experience. There is also an incredible event hosted by @IBT_Media called Draft Night Out. For this event we rent out one of the restaurants in the HOF Village and it is taken over by fantasy football fans who compete in many drafts. There are also charity raffles where you can win a variety of prizes. For example, last year I won an autographed Diontae Johnson jersey. This event is one that I find to be a can’t miss event, and the folks at IBT do an amazing job of hosting it. Later Saturday afternoon includes a flag football tournament. Saturday night includes yet another party. This one is held in the Hall of Fame Stadium. Instead of corn hole, this time there is a beer pong tournament. All of these events are meant to bring people together, and they do an amazing job of it.

Sunday is when the Expo part of the Fantasy Football Expo happens. This event includes a large number of booths where you have access to a number of fantasy tool creators, and fantasy websites. As you walk through the booths you get an opportunity to meet many of the analysts that you have gotten used to reading or listening to (if you haven’t done so by this point). There are also discounts on the services and tools they offer. But, there are also panels that take place. These panels are filled with incredible personalities in the fantasy industry that provide information on everything from getting started as a content creator, to how to properly interview players/coaches, to simply giving advice on your upcoming drafts. The panels are nothing short of amazing.

It is incredibly hard for me to summarize my experience at this event, because of how much of an impact it has had on me. It has given me the opportunity to grow my passion for this game, given me the opportunity to become a content creator, and has helped me make some incredible friendships that would not have been possible had I not attended. If you love fantasy football, I cannot recommend this event enough. Tickets are inexpensive, and the experience is unforgettable. If you can take a weekend off in August, I absolutely recommend the Fantasy Football Expo as a short weekend getaway. The fact that it takes place at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and gives you an opportunity to experience the Hall of Fame, is also amazing as well. I have attended the event the past 2 years, and I am looking forward to going back already. I hope that I will get an opportunity to meet you there next year as well! Be sure to check out Home – The Fantasy Football Expo to get tickets for next year as soon as they are available!

As always you can continue to find more from me on X(Twitter) @2fatguysff 

All of my articles are also posted on the website at www.thesportsaffiliation.com 

And as we get closer to draft season, and the fantasy season, be sure to check out our discord at https://discord.gg/49D7Jtf3