Play! Pokémon welcomes store owners or managers to apply for their retail location to become a Play! Pokémon Store. Play! Pokémon Stores are eligible to host exciting Play! Pokémon events that appeal to both casual and competitive Pokémon fans.
The Play! Pokémon Store application consists of three phases that must be completed in order. Each phase is explained in more detail below. First, create an account. Second, submit a venue review. Third, submit an account review.
Create an Account
The store owner or manager should first register their own Pokémon Trainer Central account and then generate a Player ID. Remember to use your own true and accurate information when creating the account and do not create an account for your business.
While anyone can register a Pokémon Trainer Central account and a Player ID, store owners or managers interested in applying for their location to become a Play! Pokémon Store should also meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Must be able to pass a background check (where required).
Once you register an account, you will use your Pokémon Trainer Central credentials to access Play! Pokémon resources such as the Retailer Portal, the Pokémon Professor Program, as well as the Play! Pokémon Store application described in this article.
Venue Review
Ready to submit your venue review? Navigate to join.play.pokemon.com and select Play! Pokémon Store application to get started!
After registering a Pokémon Trainer Central account and assigning yourself a Player ID, you are now able to submit a venue review. This is a chance for you to show off your venue and also an opportunity for our team to check whether the venue meets Play! Pokémon’s eligibility criteria.
Your location must be a commercial venue that qualifies as a retailer, and you may be asked to supply the following information to support the venue review.
- Business email address or confirmation of identity in writing
- Business address
- Business contact (full name)
- Registration, business license, and/or VAT number
- Picture of the cashier desk
- Picture of product shelving
- Picture of venue window
- Picture of exterior signage
- A video walkthrough of your venue
- Proof of venue being open to the public during regular daytime hours
- Proof of selling sealed Pokémon TCG products from current or recent expansions
Play! Pokémon expects the venue to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment. Please find our review criteria below but note that the list is not exhaustive.
- Play space is clean and well-lit.
- Play space has seating for at least 8 players.
- Venue contains no demonstration of racism, political extremism, violence, or hate speech.
- There is no use of drugs within the venue, and no consumption of alcohol in the play space.
- The venue has no signs of illegal activities.
- No firearms, tobacco, or nicotine products are sold at the venue.
- Venue communicates and applies relevant laws to protect minors.
- Venue must comply with Pokémon’s Terms of Use.
Ready to submit your venue review?
Navigate to join.play.pokemon.com and select Play! Pokémon Store application to submit your venue review!
After submitting your review, you will receive an automated email that confirms that we received it. The email will contain an application ID, which you can reference if you need any help. During the review process, our team may reach out to you for additional details or clarification. We look forward to working together to review your venue’s eligibility. If, however, your venue does not pass the review, you can always review the criteria and apply again in the future!
While review timelines vary, please reach out to customer support if you do not receive an update after 14 business days. For a faster support experience, log in before submitting your request and include your application ID.
Account Review
You can only submit your account review after passing the venue review. The account review, including the background check (where applicable), should be submitted by the store owner or manager.
After submitting your account review, you will receive an automated email that confirms that we received it. During the review process, our team may reach out to you for additional details or clarification.
While review timelines vary, please reach out to customer support if you do not receive an update after 14 business days. For a faster support experience, log in before submitting your request and include your application ID.
Ready to submit your account review? Navigate to join.play.pokemon.com to get started after passing your venue review!
Once your venue and account are successfully reviewed, you will receive an email welcoming your Play! Pokémon Store to the Play! Pokémon program. To learn more, we invite you to check out Welcome to the Play! Pokémon Program.