Pokémon is booming as World Championships open in S.F. So are card thefts

The Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco attracted 50,000 fans for a three-day event celebrating the franchise’s 30th anniversary, which included video game and trading card tournaments, and a new fan convention that has benefited local businesses. However, the surge in popularity has also led to an increase in thefts of valuable Pokémon cards across the Bay Area, with several stores and individuals reporting burglaries.

• Around 50,000 Pokémon fans gathered in San Francisco for the three-day World Championships at Moscone Center.
• The event celebrated the franchise’s 30th anniversary and marked the first championship in San Francisco in a decade.
• The Pokémon Company’s revenue has quadrupled in the past five years to $3.3 billion.
• The trading card game is experiencing record popularity, with rare cards selling for millions and local stores seeing high demand.
• A significant increase in Pokémon card thefts has been reported in the Bay Area, including burglaries at several stores and a theft from Tom Brady’s store.
• The event included the first Pokémon XP fan convention with various exhibits and panels.
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