The Best Buy Pokémon 30-Year Trading Card Event is bringing a short, family-friendly trading experience to San Antonio, Texas this February. Designed as a free in-store meetup, the event gives kids and collectors a simple way to learn about the Pokémon Trading Card Game, trade cards in person, and celebrate three decades of Pokémon.
For San Antonio, we’re focusing on the North Star Best Buy as the primary location. That said, San Antonio collectors have another option too, if it’s closer: the Forum Best Buy in Selma. Both are easy stops for a quick trading session without the scale (or time commitment) of a full convention-style card show.
According to the official flyer, the event encourages attendees to “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon” and asks, “What’s your favorite?”
A Full Day of Cards & Collectibles
While this isn’t a vendor-driven expo, the core of the event centers around the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Attendees can expect a light, interactive experience focused on:
- Pokémon cards and beginner-friendly gameplay learning
- Casual trading between kids and collectors
- Sharing favorite Pokémon and card pulls
- A free trading kit (while supplies last)
Unlike a traditional card show where you’ll see rows of vendor tables filled with sports cards, slabs, sealed product, and bargain boxes, this Best Buy event is more structured and educational. It’s especially approachable for families who want to introduce kids to Pokémon cards in a simple, welcoming environment.
If you’re attending, bringing a small, organized trade binder makes sense. Since this is a short-format event, having cards ready to flip through quickly can help you make the most of the trading window.
More Than Just a Card Show
One of the unique aspects of this Best Buy Pokémon 30-Year Trading Card Event is the retail store setting. Instead of a convention hall, the event takes place inside a major retailer, which creates a more casual, drop-in atmosphere.
Because it’s free to attend and includes a complimentary trading kit (while supplies last), it lowers the barrier to entry for families who may not regularly attend card shows. There’s no vendor floor to navigate and no admission cost, which can make it feel less overwhelming for beginners.
The focus appears to be on:
- Learning the basics of the Pokémon Trading Card Game
- Encouraging social trading in a supervised environment
- Giving kids a structured way to engage with the hobby
It’s also time-limited, making it easy to fit into a Saturday schedule without committing to an all-day event.
A Show for All Levels of Collectors
Events like this work best for newer and younger collectors, especially those who are still learning the mechanics of the Pokémon TCG. Parents who want a low-pressure way to introduce their kids to trading cards may find this to be a strong fit.
Casual collectors can also enjoy the community aspect. Even without vendor tables, in-person trading has advantages you don’t get online. You can inspect condition directly, talk through trades face-to-face, and help newer players understand what they’re trading and why it matters.
More experienced hobbyists may not find the same depth of inventory as a traditional San Antonio card show, but the event still offers a chance to connect with local Pokémon collectors and potentially help younger fans who are just getting started.
Final Thoughts
The Best Buy Pokémon 30-Year Trading Card Event is shaping up to be a great day for collectors in the San Antonio and surrounding area. If you attend, let us know what you find, and stay tuned to Card Show Dex for more upcoming events across Central Texas. You can also browse more upcoming shows on our San Antonio events page.
Locations to Know
- North Star Best Buy: Best Buy, 125 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216
- Forum Best Buy (Selma): Best Buy, 8210 Agora Pkwy, Selma, TX 78154