Poke Bash returns to Gonzales for a full weekend on October 17 and 18, 2026, and this edition is the biggest version of the show yet — two days instead of the usual one, with an expanded dealer floor built around Pokemon. If you collect Pokemon anywhere in south Louisiana, this is the event on the calendar that is actually designed for you rather than one where Pokemon tables sit at the edges of a sports card room.
The floor is Pokemon-first from front to back. Expect deep singles binders covering everything from Base Set and the WOTC era through Sword & Shield, Scarlet & Violet and current-year releases. Sealed product is a major draw: booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, collection tins, blister packs and vintage sealed material for the serious end of the market. Graded slabs from PSA, CGC and Beckett fill cases, with plenty of mid-grade vintage that is priced to actually move. Japanese imports, promos, jumbo cards and error cards turn up regularly. Beyond Pokemon you will find secondary tables for Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana and Dragon Ball Super, plus a modest sports card presence and a scattering of anime merchandise, plush and collectible figures.
Both days run 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The two-day format is the real story here — Saturday brings the crowds and the strongest inventory, while Sunday is calmer, easier to shop with kids, and reliably produces better negotiation as dealers work to avoid packing product back up. Admission is a modest door fee; children's pricing and any weekend pass option should be confirmed with the organizer, as those details were not published at the time of listing. The venue is the Price LeBlanc PACE Center, the series' usual Gonzales home, though attendees should verify the location before traveling.
Gonzales sits between New Orleans and Baton Rouge just off Airline Highway, making it a fifty-minute drive from the metro and about thirty from the capital. Parking is free in a large on-site lot. The Tanger Outlets and a dense strip of restaurants are within a few minutes, which makes the weekend easy to plan around for families.
This show is built for TCG collectors of every level. Kids and new collectors will find affordable singles, bulk boxes and friendly dealers happy to explain set symbols and rarity. Intermediate collectors get set-completion depth that online shopping cannot match on price. High-end buyers get graded vintage and sealed product in a room where they can actually inspect it in hand. Casual trading happens throughout, and there is usually informal play space.
Tips: Saturday morning for selection, Sunday afternoon for price. Bring cash — TCG dealers frequently price cash lower. Bring penny sleeves, top loaders and a binder if you are trading; do not carry loose cards. Know current market comps before you buy graded product, since prices vary meaningfully table to table. If you are hunting a specific card, ask around early — dealers in a Pokemon-focused room will point you to whoever has it.
Follow the Poke Bash social pages for the confirmed venue, admission pricing, dealer roster and any tournament or giveaway programming.