Pokemon TCG Events and Tournaments: Growing Your Business Through Local Events

The first time I set up a vendor table at a local Pokemon league, I made $800 in four hours with zero platform fees. No eBay final value fees. No shipping costs. No PayPal holds. Just cash and card reader transactions, face to face with buyers who were thrilled to find the cards they needed. That single experience changed how I thought about selling cards forever.

Events and tournaments are the most underutilized growth channel for Pokemon card businesses. While everyone fights over online marketplace listings, the sellers who show up in person are building relationships, making premium sales, and sourcing collections that never hit the internet. At Break Check Barragan, event selling accounts for roughly 25% of my annual revenue, and it's the highest-margin 25% of the entire business.

Why Events Are a Business Goldmine

Let me lay out the advantages:

• Zero platform fees: eBay takes 13.25%. TCGPlayer takes 10-15%. At events, your only cost is the table fee
• Instant payment: No waiting for funds to clear. Cash in hand or card reader deposits within 24 hours
• No shipping headaches: No packaging, no labels, no lost packages, no USPS nightmares
• Face-to-face trust: Buyers can inspect cards in person, which leads to higher-value purchases with fewer disputes
• Impulse buying: People at events spend more freely. The excitement of the environment drives purchases they'd second-guess online
• Networking: Every event is an opportunity to meet collectors selling their own cards, find new suppliers, and build your reputation

Here's the math: If your average eBay transaction is $30 and you lose 13.25% to fees plus $1.50 in shipping materials, your take-home is about $24.50. At an event with a $100 table fee, you only need to sell $120 worth of cards to beat eBay's economics. Everything beyond that is pure margin improvement.

Types of Events and What to Expect

Official Pokemon League Events

These are weekly or biweekly gatherings at local game stores sanctioned by The Pokemon Company. Players come to battle, trade, and hang out. Vendor opportunities are limited but incredibly valuable because attendees are deeply engaged Pokemon fans with money to spend.

Typical investment: $0-$50 (many stores let vendors set up free if you're a regular) Expected revenue: $200-$600 per event Best for: Competitive singles, meta-relevant cards, and sealed product

Regional Championships and Major Tournaments

These are large-scale competitive events drawing hundreds to thousands of players. Vendor areas at regionals can be extremely profitable because attendees need specific cards for their decks and are willing to pay a premium for same-day availability.

Typical investment: $200-$1,000 for a vendor table Expected revenue: $2,000-$8,000+ over a weekend Best for: Competitive staples, high-end singles, accessories

Comic Cons and Pop Culture Conventions

These broader events attract casual fans who collect for nostalgia rather than competitive play. Pricing expectations are different here. Attendees are less price-savvy and more willing to pay for display pieces, graded cards, and nostalgia hits like Base Set Charizards.

Typical investment: $300-$2,000 for a booth Expected revenue: $1,500-$10,000+ depending on show size Best for: Graded cards, vintage holos, display pieces, nostalgia sets

Flea Markets and Swap Meets

Don't overlook the humble flea market. Table fees are usually $20-$50, and you get access to a steady stream of foot traffic. The crowd is different from Pokemon-specific events, but that's actually an advantage. You'll find parents shopping for kids, casual collectors, and people who haven't thought about Pokemon cards in years but get excited when they see your display.

Typical investment: $20-$75 Expected revenue: $200-$800 Best for: Bulk lots, starter collections, sealed packs, mid-range singles

Hosting Your Own Events

Once you've attended enough events, consider hosting your own. Rent a community space, advertise a "Pokemon Card Buy-Sell-Trade Night," and invite local collectors. Your costs are the venue rental ($50-$200) and advertising. Your revenue comes from both selling your inventory and buying collections from attendees who show up wanting to sell.

I started hosting monthly meetups last year and they've become one of my most consistent sourcing channels. People bring cards they want to offload, and I get first pick before anything hits the market.

Setting Up Your Vendor Booth

Your booth setup directly impacts your sales. Here's what I've learned works:

Display

• Use a glass display case for high-value cards ($50+). A locking countertop case runs $100-$200 and pays for itself at your first event
• Organize cards by Pokemon, set, or price tier so customers can browse efficiently
• Stack binder pages vertically using a display stand so people can flip through without asking permission
• Place sealed product at eye level with visible price tags

Pricing

• Price everything. If a card doesn't have a price, customers won't ask. They'll just move on
• Use a simple tier system: $1 binder, $5 binder, $10+ individually priced cards
• Round prices to whole dollars for faster transactions. Nobody wants to make change for $7.49 at an event

Signage

• Banner with your business name (I spent $40 on a retractable banner and it's been to 50+ events)
• Clear pricing signs for each section
• "I BUY COLLECTIONS" sign (this generates more leads than you'd expect)
• Social media handles visible so people can follow you after the event

Payment

• Accept card payments. A Square reader costs nothing upfront and takes 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. You will lose sales if you're cash-only
• Keep change in a cash box ($100 in small bills and coins)
• Consider Venmo/Zelle as backup payment options

Event Selling Strategies

Price for the Room

Event pricing should be different from your online pricing. I typically price singles 5-10% below TCGPlayer market price. This gives customers the feeling of getting a deal, and you're still pocketing more than you would online after fees.

Bundle Aggressively

Create pre-made bundles that offer perceived value:

• "Starter Deck + 20 Bonus Rares" for $25
• "Mystery Binder" with guaranteed holos for $15
• "Build Your Own Lot" - pick any 10 from the $1 bin for $8

Bundles move more total volume and clear slow inventory. My best-selling event product is a $20 mystery pack that costs me about $8 to assemble.

Offer Event Exclusives

Create urgency with event-only deals:

• "First 10 customers get a free booster pack with $30+ purchase"
• "Event special: any 3 graded cards for 20% off"
• Bring a handful of cards priced at deep discounts that you don't list online

Work the Crowd

Don't sit behind your table scrolling on your phone. Stand up. Make eye contact. Ask people what they're looking for. Engage with kids. Compliment someone's binder. The vendors who sell the most are the ones who talk to every person who walks by.

Networking: The Hidden ROI of Events

The money you make at the table is only part of the value. The relationships you build are equally important.

• Find suppliers: Other vendors and attendees often have inventory they want to move. Hand out business cards and tell everyone you buy collections
• Build buyer lists: Collect phone numbers or social media follows from serious buyers. When you get new inventory, you've got a built-in audience to notify
• Connect with other sellers: Non-competing sellers (different niches, different regions) become valuable allies for trades, sourcing tips, and market intelligence
• Earn referrals: Happy event customers tell their friends. Word-of-mouth drives future sales both online and at events

Calculating Your Event ROI

Track these numbers for every event:

| Expense | Example | |---------|---------| | Table fee | $100 | | Gas/travel | $30 | | Food | $15 | | Supplies (bags, card sleeves) | $10 | | Total cost | $155 |

| Revenue | Example | |---------|---------| | Card sales | $900 | | Sealed product | $200 | | Collections purchased (resale value) | $500 | | New customer contacts | 15 | | Total value | $1,600+ |

If your event profit doesn't exceed what you'd make selling online for the same hours, reconsider that event. But in my experience, most events blow online selling out of the water when you factor in zero fees and collection buying opportunities.

For tips on promoting your event presence, check out our Social Media Marketing Guide. And if you want to find where the Pokemon community gathers near you, read Where Pokemon Fans Hang Out Online and Locally. You can also grow your reach between events by Building a Pokemon Community Online.

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Events are where this business comes alive. The energy of being face to face with fellow Pokemon fans, the thrill of closing a big sale, the excitement of discovering a collection you'd never find online. If you're only selling through screens, you're leaving money and relationships on the table. Start with a local league night or a small flea market. The barrier to entry is low, the learning is fast, and the rewards are real.

Next Read: Selling Pokemon Cards on eBay: Complete Seller Strategy for 2026