The first permanent Pokémon store outside Asia will open in London “by 2029.” The retail space will be open to fans of all ages, with merchandise, community spaces, and “one-of-a-kind experiences.”
According to The Pokémon Company, the store’s opening will kick off a broader rollout of stores across the world. The exact location for the London store hasn’t been announced.
“We are always exploring new opportunities that help us create unique and memorable experiences for our fans,” chief product and experience Officer at The Pokémon Company International, Gaku Susai, said. “This new London store will give visitors the chance to step into the world of Pokémon, whether they’re discovering the brand for the first time or have been Trainers for years.
“We hope it becomes a place where everyone can come together, feel like part of a community and enjoy the magic of Pokémon in a whole new way.”
A previous location opened in New York in 2001, but was closed in 2005 to make way for Nintendo New York, a store with broader Nintendo-based merch. The London store doesn’t have a name yet, but The Pokémon Company avoided calling it a Pokémon Center in its announcement.
The store’s opening is part of a wider expansion by Pokémon in the UK. The Pokémon European International Championships, hosted at London’s Excel Center for the past several years, features its own pop-up Pokémon Center which always sells out fast.
In the world of Pokémon video games, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves (Generation 10) are slated for a global simultaneous release on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2027.
Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images.
Kirk McKeand is a Contributor on IGN News. Find him on Twitter @MckKirk
