We’re not ready for the Pokemon Center to return to the UK in 2024
As the best place to get all your Pokemon merchandise, The Pokemon Center is a treat abroad, but blimey, when it comes to the UK, you really don't know how to handle yourselves.
The store dedicated solely to Nintendo's biggest money mill is a haven for nerds everywhere, flogging trading cards, plushes, and bizarre merchandise (Fuecoco slippers, anyone?) to fans everywhere with a specificity that only Nintendo can pull off.
Although we can act devastated that there isn't a permanent store in the UK, there's no doubt that many don't want to have one because it would be a total logistical nightmare.
2022's Pokemon Center pop-up led to total carnage, with queues around the block taking hours to allow attendance, drawing attention from the Pokemon World Championships it was there to promote. And now, it looks like we could be in for a similar hell.
The Pokemon Center is coming back to the UK in 2024
Click to enlargeWe're happy to see the store return, but we're equally pretty wary. The 2024 Pokemon Europe International Championships are taking place once again in the Excel Center in London, and it has just been revealed that The Pokemon Center will be returning to the event with plenty of exclusive merchandise in tow.
Fans won't need a competitor or spectator badge to enter the premises, but the store is bringing back its reservation system. This demands that fans (even those competing in the championship) will have to reserve a slot for access - with no exceptions.
It's probably for the best that the store is going a bit heavy on its organisation, as last year, even with the reservation system in place, the exclusive London Pikachu plush once again sold out incredibly quickly. If you want whatever ends up being exclusive this year, you'll have to be quick about it.
When is The Pokemon Center open?
Click to enlargeIf you want to get down to The Pokemon Center, you'd better get organised. The store will be open between 10am and 8pm from Thursday, April 4 until Sunday, April 7. Keep in mind, though, that the store will close early on Sunday at 4pm.
This is your best chance to get some exclusive Pokemon goodies without paying the extortionate shipping fees from across the globe, so don't mess about. Definitely get booked in, as we can't imagine the misery of seeing our dream plushie over the red tape only to be turned away at the door.
