By Dexerto | Created at 2026-05-30 14:14:16 | Updated at 2026-06-07 19:22:42
1 week ago
The Pokemon Company International has reportedly banned vendors from selling graded slabs and other high-value collector items at official Pokemon events.
TPCi is no longer allowing partnered vendors to sell graded slabs at events, including NAIC and Worlds, with the policy going into effect at Indianapolis Regionals from May 29-31. The report claims a public announcement is not expected.
The new vendor rules reportedly also ban items valued over $1,000, as well as most products from the Japanese Pokemon Center, including plushies and TCG products.
This means high-end chase cards, expensive slabs, and imported Japanese products with steep secondary market markups could be missing from vendor tables at official competitive events going forward.
Pokemon bans graded slabs from official event vendors
According to PokeBeach, graded slabs have become a major part of the Pokemon TCG collector market, with some chase cards regularly selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on condition, rarity, and grading company.
However, slabs cannot be used in official tournament decks, making them a purely collector-focused part of the hobby rather than something tied directly to competitive play.
The reported ban appears to be part of a wider push to keep official Pokemon events focused on players, families, and the game itself, rather than the resale market that has grown around high-value cards and limited merchandise.
PokeBeach also reported that the restriction on Japanese Pokemon Center products comes shortly after Pokemon Japan announced plans to require government ID verification for select TCG purchases through Pokemon Center Online starting around August 2026.
tpci is reportedly banning partnered vendors from selling graded slabs at official events like naic and worlds
they’re also banning items over $1,000 and most japanese pokemon center products
honestly, this feels like a pretty clear message
they don’t want official events to… pic.twitter.com/63ZXrtRUJf
— Angelo (@angelodotsui) May 30, 2026
That system is designed to limit certain purchases and lottery entries to Japanese residents, making it harder for overseas buyers and scalpers to secure limited products before reselling them internationally.
The reaction from Pokemon fans has been split. Many competitive players have praised the move, arguing that official tournaments should prioritize raw singles, deck-building supplies, and standard merchandise.
Collectors, however, have pointed out that high-end slabs and Japanese imports are a major draw for some attendees, even if they are not directly connected to tournament play.
If the reported rules remain in place, collectors will likely need to rely more on independent card shows, local shops, and online marketplaces for high-value slabs and imported Japanese Pokemon Center products, while official events shift further toward competitive play.
