Highly anticipated Pokemon event in SF goes awry
SFGATE • • sports
Key Points:
- A pin rally at the Moscone Center offered fans the chance to collect 12 exclusive Pokémon pins, including popular characters like Charizard and Jirachi, by waiting in line at designated locations.
- High demand overwhelmed event staff, leading to multiple pin stalls closing early on the first day and complete shutdown of all pin rally locations on Saturday and Sunday due to crowd control and safety concerns.
- The San Francisco Fire Department reported early morning crowd congestion outside the venue but denied threatening to shut down the event, despite rumors circulating online.
- Organizers announced the closure of pin rallies mid-event without providing further comment, and attempts to get official statements from The Pokémon Company and event organizers were unsuccessful.
- With many fans missing out, scalpers have capitalized by reselling pin collections online for hundreds to over a thousand dollars, driving a lucrative secondary market.
