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Hundreds Camp Outside Fresno Sam's Club Ahead of Pokémon Card Release
ANTHONY SITE PHOTO
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 1 hour ago on
July 20, 2026
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Hundreds began to line up Fresno Sam's Club Monday, July 20, 2026, for an overnight ahead of a limited Pokémon card release that collectors say could yield resale values of up to $200. (GV Wire/Darius Assemi/)

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Hundreds of people lined up outside the Sam’s Club in Fresno on Monday evening ahead of a highly anticipated Pokémon Trading Card Game release scheduled for the store’s opening Tuesday.

People brought folding chairs and camping gear, wore comfortable clothing and sought shade from the Fresno heat as they prepared to spend the night outside the store.

The crowd gathered in hopes of purchasing the limited-release products before they sold out. The release includes the Ascended Heroes Focused Fighters Premium Collection, according to the Sam’s Club website.

Hundreds begin to line up outside of the Fresno Sam's Club on Monday, July 20, 2026. (GV Wire/Darius Assemi)
Hundreds begin to line up outside of the Fresno Sam’s Club on Monday, July 20, 2026. (GV Wire/Darius Assemi)

Sam’s Club Plus members have early shopping access before general club hours when the in-store release begins Tuesday morning.

Nathan Diaz of The Big Fresno Card Show said he was surprised by the turnout.

“Everybody is trying to line up here at Sam’s Club for a Pokémon drop,” Diaz said.

Diaz said he did not expect there to be a line until 8 p.m. and described the scene as “hectic.”

Diaz said some of the cards from the release could resell for as much as $200.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.
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