A line-up outside the Costco Wholesale in Langley at 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, Apr 12, 2026. (Image Credit: the_dude_behind_youu / Reddit)
Card Craze

Hundreds line up for Pokémon card release at Costco in Langley, Abbotsford

Apr 12, 2026 | 12:26 PM

ABBOTSFORD — Shoppers in B.C. may have been shocked to see massive lines at their local Costco stores this morning – including in Langley and Abbotsford.

Photos and videos shared on social media show a long line of customers outside the retailer as early as 3:30 a.m. today (Apr. 12).

Many of them were bundled up for the cool spring morning and brought their own seating – all ready to catch them all.

The coveted prize? Boxes of Pokémon Prismatic Evolutions cards.

It’s a release that collectors are keen on, but some are concerned they weren’t the only ones looking forward to the event.

“No collector is going there at two in the morning,” said Haris Kajtazovic, who has been collecting Pokémon cards for 18 years. “I know scalpers are getting their friends and family to buy too.”

Recent listings on Facebook Marketplace in the Metro Vancouver area show prices ranging from $350 to $400 per box.

They were initially priced at $99.99.


(Image Credit: Facebook)

Costco has placed a limit of two boxes per membership, but Kajtazovic says those protections aren’t enough.

“Honestly, the only way to combat this is when you buy the product, the retailer is required to break the seal,” he added. “If the seal is broken, the resale value plummets since it may have been tampered.”

Warehouses like Langley, Richmond and Wellington received three pallets containing 576 boxes, while smaller locations received two pallets, or 384 boxes.

Workers were handing out numbered chits to customers in line for the release. There were reportedly about 200 in line as of 6:50 a.m. at the Langley location.

The cards were sold out in Abbotsford by 8 a.m.

BC Costco Line up for Pokemon. 3:30 AM. Apr 12, 2026
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