11-07-2025
Why did Simon Cowell spend thousands on a Pokemon card?
Simon Cowell shocked traders after he appeared at a card trading show and spent thousands of pounds on a rare Pokémon card.
For those who don't know, Pokémon cards are becoming more and more valuable — with vintage cards from the original series, as well as cards from new packs, soaring in prices at trading meets.
With celebs from Logan Paul to Justin Bieber owning some of the rarest and most valuable cards, the cards are seeing a new wave of popularity — something that even Simon Cowell has gotten caught up in when he was spotted at the London Trading Card event in Croydon.
The music mogul and former X Factor judge picked up a Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art card, in a gem mint condition of 10/10 by PSA, who grade the cards — with those particular cards going for as much as £2,000 (€2,317).
Fanatics Collect reported that OnFire, who were the traders at the card show, were approached by Simon who bought the card, with the owner of the traders sharing a photo of them shaking hands with X Factor star.
'He picked up the Rayquaza VMAX alt art PSA 10,' the trader revealed. 'He seemed to be really enjoying the show and meeting the collectors and vendors.' Pic: OnFire Trading Cards/Instagram
And despite his reputation in the 2000s as 'Mr Nasty' when he judged on Pop Idol and The X Factor, he was said to be very friendly at the card show — with OnFire saying 'he was very friendly and kindly took time out to talk to people and take photos while he was there. Really nice guy.'
Obviously, Pokémon has been around in one form or another for the past three decades, with Pokémon trading cards seeing a huge spike in value over the last few years.
Professional wrestler and internet nuisance Logan Paul has what is believed to be the rarest Pokémon card in history, with the Guinness Book of Records revealing that he spent upwards of $5million on it. The card Simon bought, believed to be worth around £2,000. Pic: OnFire Trading Cards/Instagram
The card, a Pikachu Illustrator Card, was graded in a PSA 10 — and it's understood that there are only 39 in the world, with the cards originally being given to winners of a Pokémon Illustration contest.
Only one of the 20 cards that were graded were given a perfect 10 out of 10 — and is now in the possession of Logan.
