Smyths Pokémon queue guide: in-store drops, opening times and how to be first in line

At a glance

How we post in-store launches on our Discord

Everything that happens in shops goes in one channel on our free Discord, #in-store-launches, so it never gets buried under online restocks:

• Launch reminders from our UK release calendar: a week before, the evening before and on launch morning. The last two ping everyone with the 🏪 In-Store Alerts role.
• Queue and shelf reports from members, sent with /spotted: which store, what’s on the shelf and how big the queue is. On launch days they’re collected on a pinned live board.
• In-store news from the shops themselves, and in-store and queue reports from trusted UK alert accounts, written up in our own words.

To get pinged, pick 🏪 In-Store Alerts in #select-alerts when you join. Every shop on this page also has its own channel and 🔔 role on the server for its online alerts, and online restocks go in #all-alerts.

When to queue: 9pm the night before

If you want the first spot at any of these shops on a big launch day, aim to get there by 9pm the night before.

Most stores hand out numbered tickets before the doors open, in queue order, so you keep your place and staff can share the stock out fairly. Look after yours.

Some stores, Smyths among them, have opened up so people queuing overnight can use their toilets. Don’t count on it everywhere, but it’s always worth asking the staff politely.

Stay alert: know when the queues are happening

Knowing when to queue is half the battle. Join our free Discord and turn on 🏪 In-Store Alerts: you’ll get a reminder a week before each launch, the evening before and on launch morning, plus live queue reports from members on the day. It takes a minute to join.

What time do the shops open?

Most of these shops open at 9am, and some stores at 8am, depending on the store. Shopping-centre stores can follow the centre’s hours, and on Sundays big stores in England and Wales can only open for six hours (often 10am to 4pm or 11am to 5pm). Check your own store’s opening time on the shop’s website the day before.

What to bring

• A camping chair
• A warm blanket or sleeping bag: nights get cold
• Warm layers and something waterproof
• Food, water and a hot drink
• A power bank, so your phone lasts and you don’t miss an alert
• Your bank card

Limits and stock

Shops don’t say how much stock each store gets, and buying limits are set store by store, often on the day. Ask the staff when you get your ticket.

Big launch coming: the 30th Anniversary UPC on 6 November

The Pokémon 30th Anniversary UPC lands at Smyths and Sports Direct on Friday 6 November, and those queues can run for 18 to 24 hours. Read our 30th Anniversary UPC queue guide before you go, and see every UK date on our Pokémon TCG release dates page.

Reported by Galar Alerts.