Williamstown’s first ever card show was held in the Williamstown High School gymnasium on October 25. It attracted more than 1,500 people, consisting of card enthusiasts of all ages. More than 170 vendors with collections of sports, Pokémon, trading game cards (non-sports cards), and sports and pop culture memorabilia filled the gym during the long afternoon event.
The Williamstown Card Show was hosted by Matthew Arizzi, better known as Rizz Cards on social media and in the trading card industry. Arizzi, a 25-year-old lifelong Washington Township resident, has been working full-time in trading and sports cards for nearly five years, and he has been professionally putting on card shows since 2023.
Prior to the Williamstown Card Show, Arizzi had only ran the Washington Township Card Show. The first two were held at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Sicklerville in November 2023 and February 2024. Each event drew in more than 450 people, leading to a successful afternoon and the need for a larger space for future shows. All the proceeding card shows have been held at Washington Township High School’s gymnasium. In less than three years, he has hosted nearly 10 card shows.
“Every single time, there’s been more people than the last time,” he said. “Williamstown High School contacted us because they heard we did a pretty good job at Washington Township, and they wanted to do one at their own high school. So, we’re taking the venture over there, and it’ll be way bigger than Washington Township.”
Moving forward, his goal is to host two Washington Township Card Shows and three Williamstown Card Shows a year.
Williamstown Card show host Matthew Arizzi (left) with content creator Tanner Castrataro during the show.
In addition to 170-plus vendors at the card show, there were giveaways and fun, upbeat music. Arizzi said Williamstown Card Show was by Pristine Auction, CardLadder, Royal Cardz and Always Buying Club, all of which are notable names in the industry.
Putting on the show was no easy feat. Arizzi works independently as Rizz Cards; however, for the card shows, his family and close friends all help out and run the event with him.
“I’m surrounded by all my family and friends, which is more people than I could have ever imagined. I’m super grateful for them,” Arizzi said. “There’s about seven girls at the front. They do all the vendor and admission check-ins, handle people buying admission tickets (which were only $10 and could be purchased ahead of time), all that stuff. My cousin is my cameraman. My brother and my dad help me work my table. It’s a big old family event.”
Arizzi said he also tries to ensure that the shows are all family-oriented and welcoming to kids and senior citizens. As a child himself, he used to attend card shows with his dad and family, and they were special times. It is important for him to foster that same kind of special moments for kids today, as well as give a nostalgic moment to older folks.
“The community I try to build is one where people can come in of all different ages and people who are looking to spend 10 bucks or looking to spend 20 grand (can all come). There will be something there for everyone,” he said. “And that’s why I think it’s family oriented. I love it that way, because it’s family-oriented on my end.”
“My whole family helps me, so I love to kind of share the love of seeing a father and son look through a box,” he continued. “It’s fun to see what me and my brother used to be like with our parents now in other kids and a different generation. It’s amazing.”
To follow Arizzi and stay up to date on future card shows, check out the following Instagram pages: @RizzCards, @WilliamstownCardShow and @TWPCardShow.
The first Williamstown Card Show was held inside Williamstown High School’s gymnasium on October 25. It drew in more than 1,500 people.
