eBay marks 30 years of Pokemon with live auction, programming
eBay is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pokemon with a curated selection of merchandise and a weekend-long livestream event.
The e-commerce giant is offering "The 30/30 Collection" – an assortment of high-value Pokémon collectibles that will be auctioned exclusively on its eBay Live livestream shopping platform on "Pokemon Day," which marks the Feb. 27, 1996 debut of the original version of what would become the global trading card game Pokemon in Japan.
Each item in the auction is starting at its original retail price during a dedicated eBay Live stream on Thursday, Feb. 27 beginning at 6 p.m. ET. The auction anchors a full weekend of Pokémon programming on eBay Live.
In addition, eBay is hosting an in-person Pokémon Day celebration on Thursday, Feb. 27 in New York City, as part of eBay Live on Tour, a series of collector-focused livestreaming events across the country.
[READ MORE: eBay to host national live sales event series]
The event will take place at The Standard Biergarten in New York City from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. Attendees will have access to trading tables, professional card grading, interactive experiences to win prizes or discounts, and live programming throughout the day.
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eBay is featuring exclusive Pokemon merchandise. -
The eBay "30/30 Collection."
Pokémon-focused livestreams will continue throughout the weekend. The event concludes with the eBay Live auction of The 30/30 Collection. eBay began observing Pokemon Day in 2024 with a one-day livestream shopping event and auction. In 2025, the online retailer launched the "Evolving Shop," a curated three-day shopping experience featuring Pokemon-themed rare trading cards and merchandise.
“For 30 years, eBay has been the go-to destination for rare and coveted Pokémon inventory, and excitement for the franchise only continues to grow,” said Adam Ireland, VP and GM of global collectibles at eBay. “The ‘30/30 Collection’ brings 30 years of Pokémon history to life through eBay Live, with a range of inventory you can only find on our marketplace, and a thrilling live shopping experience that fosters community in real-time, reflecting how the fandom connects and collects today.”
Pokémon collectors around the world can also explore a curated selection of more than 500 premium Pokémon listings sourced from the U.S., Japan, Canada, the U.K., Australia, China and Germany, all up for auction through March 1.
eBay was founded in San Jose, Calif., in 1995. In 2024, eBay enabled more than $75 billion of gross merchandise volume.
