Gotta catch 'em all: Pokémon card craze sweeps Czechia as interest surges 450 percent

Pokémon cards are making a major comeback in Czechia, with online shopping interest jumping 450 percent as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary. The surge has brought renewed attention to collectible cards, drawing both nostalgic adults and younger fans into the hunt for sought-after editions.

According to Czech shopping comparison platform Zboží.cz, interest in Pokémon cards was nearly 5.5 times higher between Sept. 16 and Oct. 3 than during the preceding period of equal length. The increase coincides with the release of a special anniversary collection.

Pokémon accounted for approximately 80 percent of interest in collectible card games on the shopping platform during the period, reports Novinky.cz, highlighting the franchise's dominance in the category.

First introduced in Japan in 1996, Pokémon has grown into one of the world's most recognizable entertainment franchises. Its trading cards, originally popular with children, have become sought-after collectibles among adults who grew up with the games, television series, and original card releases.

The latest anniversary collection has helped reignite interest in Czechia. Reports of queues outside stores, rapidly disappearing stock, and products appearing on resale platforms at higher prices suggest that demand is extending beyond casual fans.

The phenomenon also reflects the changing role of trading cards. For some collectors, opening a new pack is about nostalgia or completing a favorite set. Others are drawn to rare illustrations, limited editions, and the possibility of finding a valuable card.

However, the reported 450 percent increase measures interest on Zboží.cz rather than confirmed sales, meaning it should not be interpreted as an equivalent rise in purchases.

The growing interest in trading cards will also have a local meeting point next month, when cardventureprague.cz takes place at the Prague Congress Centre on Nov. 7.

The one-day event will bring together collectors, traders, vendors, and Pokémon enthusiasts from Czechia and abroad. Organizers are planning a trading-card marketplace with more than 60 vendors, alongside opportunities to buy, sell, and exchange cards.

Visitors will also be able to watch rare Pokémon booster boxes opened live, meet Czech collecting personalities, and learn about professional card grading, a process used to assess a card's condition and authenticity.

Among the announced guests is Jason Paige, the singer behind the original English-language Pokémon theme song. The preliminary program includes an interview and live performance.

The event is not limited to experienced collectors. Visitors interested in trading cards for the first time can explore the marketplace, meet other fans, and learn more about the hobby.

Cardventure Prague takes place at 5. května 65, Prague 2, on Saturday, Nov. 7. Admission options range from free entry to CZK 600, with priority-entry packages available.

For anyone who still has a childhood Pokémon collection tucked away at home, the event offers a chance to revisit the hobby — and see how much the collecting world has changed.