Upper Deck and 23XI Mark Space Jam's 30th Anniversary

Upper Deck and 23XI Racing Bring Space Jam to Navy Pier

Upper Deck and 23XI Racing celebrated the 30th anniversary of Space Jam with a watch party at Lake Stage Park at Chicago's Navy Pier, turning the event into a blend of nostalgia, racing and sports collectibles. The gathering brought together families, collectors and fans for an evening centered on one of the most recognizable sports and pop culture films of the 1990s.

Space Jam arrived during the height of the Chicago Bulls dynasty, after Michael Jordan returned from retirement and a brief baseball career. Three decades later, the movie still carries a strong cultural footprint, and Upper Deck used the anniversary to spotlight memorabilia and interactive experiences tied to the film.

Upper Deck Authenticated Displays Featured Rare Space Jam Pieces

Part of the event display included original Space Jam merchandise available through Upper Deck Authenticated. Among the items on view were shoes Michael Jordan wore during filming, with the pair autographed and numbered to 23.

The display also included original promotional posters from the movie signed by Jordan. Two of the highlighted pieces were the Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny poster and the poster showing Jordan stretching to dunk, both of which connected directly to the film's most familiar imagery.

Alongside the movie memorabilia, Upper Deck also showcased miniature versions of the Space Jam car tied to 23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace's presence in Chicago for the NASCAR weekend.

Create Your Own Card Area Added an Interactive Element

Upper Deck also set up a Create Your Own Card area at the park, giving attendees a chance to make a Space Jam-themed card. The hands-on station added a personal collectible element to the celebration and fit naturally with the event's mix of entertainment and hobby culture.

For collectors, the combination of authenticated memorabilia and custom card creation reflected the broad appeal of the Space Jam brand. The movie remains a recognizable touchpoint for fans who grew up with it, while also reaching younger audiences discovering it through sports, animation and collectibles.

23XI Racing and Bubba Wallace Joined the Celebration

The weekend also tied in 23XI Racing and the Space Jam car that appeared in Chicago for the race. Bubba Wallace was on hand and spent time meeting with the Chicago Boys & Girls Club during the event.

Wallace later finished sixth in the Chicago race, adding a strong on-track result to a weekend that also emphasized community involvement and fan engagement. His appearance helped connect the racing side of the partnership with the broader Space Jam celebration at Navy Pier.

Why Space Jam Still Resonates With Collectors

The event underscored how strongly nostalgia continues to shape the hobby. Space Jam remains one of the defining pop culture titles of the 1990s, and its connection to Michael Jordan gives it a lasting place in both sports history and entertainment history.

That combination makes the film especially appealing in the collectibles market. Jordan memorabilia already carries broad interest, and items tied to Space Jam add another layer of cultural significance. The anniversary celebration at Navy Pier showed how that appeal still translates into live events, authenticated memorabilia and custom card experiences.

Upper Deck's 30th Anniversary Space Jam collection adds another dimension to that interest, giving collectors a modern way to engage with a property that continues to resonate across generations. Between the film's legacy, Jordan's enduring star power and the crossover with 23XI Racing, the Chicago event highlighted why Space Jam remains a strong draw three decades after its release.