Pokemon Center Singapore Cancels Launch of Prismatic Evolutions TCG Set Due to Overcrowding

The highly anticipated launch of the Prismatic Evolutions Pokémon TCG set took an unexpected turn at the Pokémon Center in Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport. On release day, the store was forced to cancel its in-store launch due to overwhelming crowds, citing “safety concerns.”

Massive Turnout Leads to Cancellation

Photos shared by Pokémon fan Chankit and news outlet Mothership captured the scene: a dense crowd of fans and collectors gathered outside the store. In response, the Pokémon Center posted a cancellation notice on Instagram and outside the store, informing customers of the decision to prioritize safety.

Online Sales Disappear in Seconds

While the Pokémon Center assured fans that the sets would be available through their Shopee online store, the inventory reportedly sold out within seconds of going live. Chankit, who witnessed the chaos firsthand, speculated that scalpers may have dominated the crowd, intending to resell the sets for profit.

Criticism of Event Management

Chankit also expressed frustration with the lack of preparation and communication from the store staff:

“At the very least, there should have been some sort of queue management. It was just a confusing mess, and we didn’t know who was at the front.

Also, it would have been nicer if they announced the cancellation earlier, because people were still coming in when they made the announcement.”

A Call for Better Management

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing the Pokémon TCG’s massive popularity, particularly as scalping continues to disrupt accessibility for genuine fans and collectors. Hopefully, the lessons learned from this event will lead to improved queue management, better communication, and a smoother experience for customers in the future.