Published on: January 23, 2025
Pokémon Center London 2025: Reservations Quickly Fill as Pokémon Company Addresses Online Booking Issues
The highly anticipated pop-up Pokémon Center is set to return to London in February 2025, coinciding with the Pokémon European International Championships at ExCel London.
Organized by The Pokémon Company, the exclusive retail experience will run from February 20th through February 23rd, offering fans a rare opportunity to purchase limited-edition Pokémon merchandise during the world-renowned competitive event.
As in previous years, visitors must secure a time slot via the official Pokémon EUIC website to gain access to the store.
This year, the demand for Pokémon Center London reservations was overwhelming.
Within minutes of becoming available, all slots were completely booked, leaving countless fans unable to secure a spot.
The surge of visitors led to significant technical difficulties, including site crashes, long loading times, and widespread frustration among eager fans.
Some attendees even found unofficial ways to bypass website security, further exacerbating the situation and leading to an even greater influx of traffic when these methods circulated online.
In response to these challenges, The Pokémon Company issued a formal statement acknowledging the disappointment felt by many fans.
The company said it "regrets that some fans were unable to reserve a slot" and confirmed that it is "actively investigating ways to enhance the online registration process for future events." This admission follows a history of similar issues faced by the Pokémon Center pop-up booking system in recent years, despite some improvements noted after the 2024 edition.
Fans will recall previous advisories to arrive early for reserved slots, as well as substantial queues even with a confirmed booking.
Despite these technical hurdles, the pop-up Pokémon Center remains a major highlight for fans attending the European International Championships, where high-profile Pokémon competitions unfold and exclusive merchandise is offered.
While the exact product lineup has yet to be fully revealed, early previews indicate that a variety of new, event-exclusive items will be available for purchase, adding to the excitement and rarity associated with the event.
The European International Championships, an officially sanctioned Pokémon event, will continue to be hosted at ExCel London, a leading venue for gaming and entertainment events in Europe.
The partnership between The Pokémon Company and major venues like ExCel London underscores the enduring popularity of the Pokémon franchise across platforms, from Nintendo Switch titles to the extensive range of eShop digital releases.
As fans look forward to the event and future improvements in the registration process, the demand for Pokémon Center London continues to demonstrate the franchise's unprecedented appeal and the strong community surrounding Pokémon events and merchandise.
Congratulations are in order for those who secured a coveted reservation, while those unable to book a slot are encouraged to look for updates as The Pokémon Company works towards a smoother experience in the years ahead.
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