The Pokemon & TCG Card Show comes to the ELARA Convention Center in Crystal Lake on Sunday, August 23, 2026, giving the far northwest suburbs a dedicated trading card game event in a true convention setting. Crystal Lake has quietly become one of Chicagoland's most active TCG communities, and this collector-friendly show is its flagship: a room built around Pokemon first, with the broader TCG world filling out the tables.
Pokemon dominates the floor, and the depth is the draw. Expect vintage WOTC-era singles and slabs, from Base Set holos on up, modern alt-arts and Special Illustration Rares, Japanese exclusives, graded cards across PSA, CGC, and Beckett, and walls of sealed product: booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, and collection boxes spanning recent sets. Beyond Pokemon, vendors typically bring One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Lorcana, and Dragon Ball singles and sealed, plus supplies, sleeves, and display gear. Mystery packs, bulk deals, and dollar binders keep the show accessible at every budget level, and many vendors buy and trade actively throughout the day.
This is a one-day Sunday show running standard daytime hours at the convention center; check the listing for exact times before you head out. As with every card show, the first hour after doors open sees the fastest movement on high-end display-case material.
Admission is collector-friendly, in keeping with the low-cost entry that has made this series a repeat draw in Crystal Lake, and families are a core part of the crowd. This is one of the best shows in the region for kids: the Pokemon-first focus, affordable singles, and patient vendor base make it an ideal first card show for a young collector.
The ELARA Convention Center offers free on-site parking and a spacious, air-conditioned floor, located in Crystal Lake with straightforward access from Route 14 and Route 31. For collectors in McHenry County and the far northwest suburbs, it is the rare quality show that does not require a trek toward the city, and Metra's Union Pacific Northwest line serves Crystal Lake for anyone coming by train.
Who should attend? Pokemon collectors of every level, from binder kids to vintage slab investors; One Piece and Lorcana players hunting singles as those games keep growing; parents looking for a family-friendly hobby outing; and traders, because TCG rooms like this one trade harder than any sports show. Sports card collectors will find some crossover tables, but this show's heart belongs to the game side of the hobby.
Tips for the day: bring a well-organized trade binder, since vendor and collector trading is half the fun here. Set a sealed-product budget before you walk in and stick to it. If you are grading-curious, bring your best raw cards; vendors can usually give honest opinions on whether a card is worth submitting. And arrive early for display-case chase cards, which move quickest.
A companion event at Kappa Collectibles runs the same day nearby, making August 23 an easy two-stop TCG day in the far northwest suburbs. Check the Card Show Dex listing for hours, vendors, and updates before you go.