Alex Ovechkin is back stateside, making his Fanatics Fest debut at the Javits Center in New York City.
The huge event, which brings together the world’s top athletes, leagues, collectors, and brands, is a multi-day festival featuring athlete appearances, autograph signings, photo opportunities, panels, and other marquee activations.
Ovechkin arrived midday on Saturday and stayed busy, signing autographs and posing for photos with attendees. The Washington Capitals captain also got to explore and had unplanned meet-and-greets of his own.
Alex Ovechkin meets Washington Wizards first overall pick AJ Dybantsa and Patrick Ewing
The most notable moment of Ovechkin’s day for DC sports fans came when he served as the old guard welcoming the new, meeting Washington Wizards phenom AJ Dybantsa for the first time since Dybantsa was drafted first overall by the Wizards at last month’s NBA draft.
Dybantsa and Wizards teammate Trae Young were in NYC for their own signing sessions and photo ops with fans. They were joined by a whole host of other stars and legends from the world of basketball, including another former first-overall pick, Georgetown’s own, Patrick Ewing, who is also now an assistant coach with the Wizards.
Ovechkin posed for a photo with Ewing, who spent 15 seasons in New York as a member of the Knicks.
Alex Ovechkin pulls his own card during box break
One of the pillars of Fanatics Fest is the collecting space, as many of the major sports cards brands and dealers all coalesce for the event. Included in that group is CardVault by Tom Brady, a company backed by the legendary quarterback that operates several card-shop locations across the country.
Ovechkin stopped by their booth and ripped some of Upper Deck’s recently released 2025-26 SP Authentic Hockey product. While he didn’t seem to hit the much sought-after Matthew Schaefer future watch autograph card, he did pull one of his own base cards and signed it on the spot.
Alex Ovechkin finds Argentina soccer jersey signed by Lionel Messi
Ovechkin is in the New York area just a day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, who plans on attending the match, will be rooting for another sporting GOAT, Lionel Messi, as the Argentinian captain looks to add to his incredible resume with another World Cup victory.
While on the floor at Saturday’s event, Ovechkin found an Argentina soccer jersey signed by Messi, his favorite player. Messi was at Fanatics Fest a day earlier, participating in media ahead of the huge final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Alex Ovechkin lifts replica Stanley Cup for NHL’s DroneCam 360 activation
Via NHL.com’s David Satriano, Ovechkin also gave Capitals fans a hopeful preview of this time next year, lifting a replica Stanley Cup for the NHL’s DroneCam 360 activation.
He also took some half-hearted shots at a goalie cutout.
After attending the World Cup Final, Ovechkin is expected to travel back home to Russia, where he will play in the Match of the Year on July 25.
Ovechkin will be back for his 22nd and potentially final season with the Capitals in the fall.
