Pokémania in Bracknell: Event to Bring All Pokémon Fans Together
Pokémon fans of all ages gathered in Bracknell, England earlier this month for another Pokémania event. Featuring a number of different vendors and thousands of cards to choose from, there was truly something for everyone. You could find just about any Pokémon from any generation, making this event truly worthwhile for long-time players.

Pokémania moves around various locations across the UK, I personally went to the one held in Bracknell on July 26, 2025. There were different tickets that you could've purchased depending on the experience you would like and are still available for other venues. VIP allowed you to have early access so you could grab the cards you want, as well as a free package with a variety of different cards from different sets with different rarities. The early bird allowed you to have early access before the rush of people stormed in, and so on. I went for the VIP ticket and purchased it well in advance, so I can't speak to how quickly they sold.
As a VIP, I was in a separate line from the Early Bird and general ticket holders. While waiting, someone from the team handed out our lanyards and free card packs, which we opened while we waited for the doors to open. At 9:30 on the dot, I was guided through to the hall where the event was being held. Once in, I had some time to explore the whole venue before the other ticket holders were allowed in. I personally liked this as someone who is not a fan of big crowds. I would have hoped for a bit more extra time with each ticket, as I personally don't think 30 minutes is enough between each section before it gets overly crowded. Due to limited numbers of VIP lanyards I unfortunately wasn't able to obtain one. The ticket tiers looked like this:
- VIP: £27.09 (admission a 9:30 am)
- Early Bird: £11.19 (admission 10:00 am)
- General Admissions: £8.01 (admission 11:00 am)
- Family Ticket Admission: £23.91 (2 kids, 2 adults; kids under 5 enter for free; admission 11:00 pm)

The main objective of this event is for fans to explore new cards, trade and sell with some extra items for purchase thrown in. There were a variety of vendors who handmade items such as hats, tote bags, and figures, and the majority of them had binders of cards that they had traded and purchased themselves.
As Pokémania is a slightly newer event, venues for it tend to be on the smaller side. However, I thought it worked really well. The layout of the hall was clear and it was easy to see where everything was. This made it easier to check everything out and make sure that nothing got missed.
One of the highlights of the event was a treasure hunt. I thought this was a brilliant experience for adults and children to enjoy, as they could look for characters placed all around the room. Once all the characters were found, there was a big prize at the end: a bag of sweets. Just as the organisers have said, "You don't want to miss out, your Pokémon adventure deserves a great ending!".


Set up of the Pokémon hunt at the entrance with the three starter Pokémon Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur on the table
When I first arrived at the event, I was thrilled to see the number of vendors and artists that gathered, especially for a smaller and newer event like this. Vendors decide whether they accept trade or not, so if attending, bringing spare cards along is always worth it. Seeing the joy in each fan as their eyes light up when they have found something they have been looking for was truly a magical experience. I wish I had brought some extras so I could have the experience of trading with another.
Spin the wheel was a fan favourite, testing your luck and bringing the g̶a̶c̶h̶a̶ p̶l̶a̶y̶e̶r̶ gambler out. Testing your luck to win a variety of different prizes, including single cards, official Pokémon merchandise, and so much more! There was also a photo wall where you could meet a character or mascot that would come out for company and photos.

With this event getting more attention, I am excited to see what comes next and what will be added and explored further. There is an array of events coming up in many locations in the future, and can be found on their official website, where you can also purchase tickets. I found that their passion perfectly showcased the true nature of the fans and how the enjoyment of Pokémon has been shown in each generation. I enjoyed photographing the event and seeing how big this community actually is within a smaller community.

On their website, it states that they want to show that 'They are more than just a card show. They want to create immersive experiences for every type of Pokémon fan. With over 40 dedicated traders in attendance, you'll be surrounded by a vibrant marketplace bursting with everything and anything Pokémon! Now it's your turn to be transported into a world of Pokémon. Come and experience Pokémania!' and I think they did extremely well.

I would like to thank Pokémania for creating this amazing experience for everyone to enjoy and do what fans love including myself. Collect, trade, sell! Being able to be a part of the activities, sharing our passion for collecting and trading with others, will be a fun memory to look back on. The staff were polite and organized, even when it did get busy, there was always a system, so no one was left waiting for too long. Each item was packaged well, just in case the weather decided to change. Even though the event hall was on the smaller side, there were plenty of vendors, and I'm sure the event will grow over time. This experience and event are worth it for friends and family to enjoy what every pokénerd loves.
Overall, I thought this event was planned well, with some things that could be improved here and there, especially the ticket tiers and perks. I thought vendors and staff gave excellent service and even helped me choose between each item I was torn over. They made sure to make this experience an unforgettable one and I'd love to come back in the future.
Photos: © Alysha Parkinson