A Pokémon pop-up is heading to Anaheim with exclusive merch
Whether you grew up debating the superiority of Charizard versus Blastoise or spent hours trying to catch Mew under that infamous truck, the franchise has become a shared language of childhood joy. Even today, Pikachu's squeak hits like a warm hug from the past.
Now, you can celebrate Pokémon and bond with fellow enthusiasts in SoCal thanks to a limited‑time Pokémon Center pop‑up at the Anaheim Convention Center, part of the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. (Yes, that's definitely a thing.)
This pop‑up isn't just a store; it's a celebration of Pokémon fandom. With photo ops, surprise drops and merch you can't get anywhere else (like the 2025 World plushies for Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Machamp, and Fennekin), the August 14–17 event is a chance for fans to catch 'em all in person. But just because you're a badgeholder for the Pokémon World Championships doesn't guarantee you entry; you still have to RSVP.
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The larger question might be just what are the Pokémon World Championships? Held since 2004, the event blends nostalgia with modern spectacle and finds players from across the globe gathering to battle it out for the title (if they scored an invite, that is) in four major events: the Trading Card Game (TCG), Video Game Championships (Scarlet & Violet), Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNIT.
With a prize pool of over $2 million, players vie for world‑champion status through intense multi‑stage formats leading to single‑elimination finals, with Pokémon GO culminating in best‑of‑five grand finals on the third day. Winners will receive invitations for next year's championship in San Francisco.
The 2025 Worlds is the first in Anaheim since 2017. Beyond competition, the event is a vibrant fan celebration: exclusive merchandise at the Pokémon Center pop‑up, photo ops with Pikachu mascots, side events and interactive experiences. The Worlds also emphasizes global engagement with live streams on Twitch and YouTube, multilingual commentary, fan contests, behind‑the‑scenes content and social-media-driven interactivity throughout the three-day event.
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