Scalpers Target Exclusive Pokémon World Championships 2025 Merch Amid Growing Concerns

The Pokémon World Championships 2025, currently underway in Anaheim, California, has become a focal point not just for competitive play but also for a troubling trend: scalping of exclusive event merchandise.

Despite strict purchase limitations at the official venue, resellers are already listing rare collectibles such as the commemorative Pikachu plush, themed Trading Card Game (TCG) playmats, card binders, and other highly coveted items on secondary marketplaces like eBay. As originally reported by Kotaku, these exclusive Pokémon products, produced in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, have begun appearing online even before the event concludes.

Notably, the commemorative Pikachu plush—a highlight of the event’s limited-run merch—and items including Bear Walker skateboards and a shiny Gyarados statue are commanding prices many times higher than their original retail cost.

Social media channels have captured vendor posts offering high-value items, with listed prices such as $1,000 for the Bear Walker skateboard and $600 for the exclusive Gyarados statue.

Sellers are often requesting upfront payments via services like Zelle, PayPal Friends and Family, or Cash App, leaving buyers vulnerable and authentic fans at a disadvantage. Venue organizers implemented a strict "one-per-person" policy in an attempt to curb mass purchasing by opportunistic resellers.

However, the exclusivity of these collectibles, available only on-site in Anaheim for the championship weekend, has made them highly desirable targets.

Attendees and Pokémon fans have voiced frustration online, highlighting how such practices make it increasingly difficult for genuine collectors to obtain special memorabilia. The Pokémon World Championships, known for its global esports presence and significant draw for Nintendo Switch players and TCG enthusiasts, has a long tradition of offering unique, event-specific collectibles.

This year’s lineup includes not just the aforementioned plush and skateboards, but also a commemorative Pikachu promo card, accessible via select Pokémon Centers and authorized retail partners worldwide. This merchandising controversy follows closely on the heels of a similar incident in Japan.

Earlier this week, McDonald’s Japan was forced to halt its Pokémon TCG Happy Meal promotion after only 24 hours due to widespread scalping.

Reports surfaced of customers purchasing excessive quantities—up to 40 Happy Meals at once—in order to obtain the prized promo cards, prompting the fast-food chain to take swift action. The ongoing issues highlight a persistent challenge for The Pokémon Company, Nintendo, and their partners in delivering exclusive collectibles to actual fans amid soaring demand and aggressive reseller tactics.

As the Pokémon World Championships 2025 continues, the need for stronger anti-scalping measures is a growing concern among the global Pokémon community, with many hoping for solutions that both preserve the excitement of the event and foster fair access to its most treasured keepsakes.

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