Become aPlay! Pokémon Store Owner and host Play! Pokémon events in your store with the support of The Pokémon Company International. Play! Pokémon stores welcomefans of all ages and interests in the Pokémon world. Becoming a Play! Pokémon Store Owner is a great way to interact with a broad audience of gaming enthusiasts as well as folks outside of your typical visitor. Your store can become a central location for some of themillions of Pokémon fans to play and shop. There’s no cost to becoming or being a Play! Pokémon Store Owner.

As a Play! Pokémon Store Owner, you’ll be part of an engaging program thatbrings players back to your store every week. You’ll help grow your local community of Pokémon fans, which can in turnhelp build customer loyalty.

Play! Pokémon Store Owners can host a variety of events exclusive to the Play! Pokémon program, including Prerelease events where participants can get their hands onnew Pokémon TCG expansions two weeks before their street date. In selected markets, eligible Play! Pokémon Stores can also take part in our Early Release Program to receive access to regular Pokémon Trading Card Game products early.

The Pokémon Company International supports Play! Pokémon Store Owners withmarketing materials and prize support for hosted events, including exclusive products available only at Play! Pokémon Stores. Marketing materials include coverage on official Pokémon platforms, in-store signage, as well as inclusion in thenew onlineEvent Locator, where players can find your store and share your events with friends.

Store Owners can determine their own level of involvement of the events that take place at their store. Pokémon Professors who have been certified as Organizers, as well as trusted League Assistants, can manage the events. Store Owners can also be certified as Organizers and host events on their own!

The Play! Pokémon program offers events that attract Pokémon fans of all skill levels.Open Play! Sessions are the most common event to host—these are casual meetups where Pokémon fans can play, trade, and enjoy time with other fans. Play! Pokémon Store Owners do not need to be certified as Organizers to host open Play! Sessions, nor do they need to be a League Assistants or work with a League Assistant or Professors.

Eligible Play! Pokémon Stores can also hostLeague Challenge and League Cup tournaments. These are in-store competitions that reward Championship Points for players seeking an invitation to thePokémon World Championships as well as Travel Awards and scholarships. Plus, eligible Play! Pokémon Store Owners can host the popular Prerelease events where players can get their hands on the latest cards before they’re officially released.

There are also Friendly Tournaments that don’t award Championship Points. These events are a great introduction to the Play! Pokémon program. Popular tournaments, such as the Mid-Year Celebration, are great ways to bring the entire community together to have fun.

Qualified Play! Pokémon Store Owners Get:

The Pokémon Company International manages Play! Pokémon Stores through a dedicated internal team, with the help of dedicated customer support team, to provide an excellent experience to our retail partners. In some markets, these managers also work together with local agencies to provide even more hands-on support.

A vast network of Pokémon Professors is also available to help run your events. These Event Organizers, Judges, and tournament staff dedicate their time to ensure events are run well. While you aren’t required to work with a Professor to run your League Sessions, their value is immeasurable!

Take the next step to running a Play! Pokémon Store by reviewing the requirements and submitting your application.

Join the Play! Pokémon Program!