The official Japanese portal of the Pokémon TCG Trainers Website, run by The Pokémon Company, published a statement on May 8 asking players to refrain from harassment and inappropriate behavior at in-person events and via social media.
According to the announcement, the company has “observed instances of harassment” of its employees, judges and other event staff; including slander, threats, physical aggression, and obstruction of business. Noting that such behavior can potentially harm the physical and mental well-being of its staff as well as inconvenience other players and eventgoers, The Pokémon Company reiterated on a list of no-nos, requesting that players refrain from:
- Aggressive behavior toward employees or event staff, whether verbal or through attitude
- Comments or discriminatory remarks that damage the character or dignity of employees or event staff
- Unreasonable demands that deviate from social norms
- Inappropriate behavior involving the personal information of employees or event staff
- Acts that cause harm to the physical well-being of employees or event staff, or to event facilities
- Dissemination of malicious information
- Acts that hinder the smooth provision of services or cause inconvenience to other customers
The company warns that in accordance with its Customer Harassment Policy, it reserves the right to eject players from event venues or suspend their accounts in cases where these guidelines are violated.
While The Pokémon Company hasn’t disclosed the specifics being the incidents that prompted this statement, Pokémon TCG’s rising popularity in recent years has led to an influx of new players and card collectors, giving rise to issues like poor tournament etiquette and aggressive scalping practices. During the major 2026 Pokémon Yokohama Champions League held last September, The Pokémon Company reported multiple instances of cheating, such as players using stand-ins and falsifying their ages to enter brackets they’re not qualified for, leading to suspensions.
To make matters worse, the Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo knife attack from March, which took the life of an employee, has made The Pokémon Company extra vigilant when it comes to customer harassment, with Pokémon Center events being cancelled nationwide throughout all of April, and tournaments being held without audiences.
