GameStop has ceased pre-orders for all Pokemon TCG products effective immediately while also enforcing purchase limits on certain products, leaving card collectors disgruntled.
In a February 22 X/Twitter post, the retailer confirmed that it would “no longer offer pre-orders for Pokemon TCG products” and would be “implementing purchase limits on select SKUs.”
Elaborating on the decision further, GameStop said its goal with the new measure was to “ensure fans have the opportunity to experience these exciting releases, rather than limiting access to early buyers and resellers.”
While the hobby has been affected by scalping in the past, 2025, in particular, has seen stock shortages of Pokemon TCG products become widespread and scalping become rampant as a result.
The release of Prismatic Evolutions in January prompted some independent businesses to restrict or refuse to stock the product entirely out of safety concerns.
Collectors hit back at GameStop decision
Responding to the announcement, one user said “So let me get this straight, now I have to stay in line for several hours only to get to the front desk to be told they’re out of stock? There is only 10 people in front of me, and the limit was two per person…. Fantastic.”
“So instead of being a reasonable adult and pre-ordering in store, you’d rather have lines of 20+ people every Friday morning?” came another.
“What about the people who work and can’t be at GameStop in-store every release? This isn’t a fair solution. Online preorders were my main option.” yet another echoed.
Indeed, an overwhelming number of responses were of concern over how casual collectors and players would be able to secure products without access to pre-orders.
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The next major Pokemon TCG expansion is Journey Together, releasing on March 28. Considering pre-orders on the official Pokemon Center website sold out almost instantly, it’s likely that finding stock of the card game will remain difficult for some time to come.