Image credit: Viacom International Inc./Stephen Hillenburg/Wizards of the Coast
Community-led events are always a great place to get inspired, and the London Card Show XL 2026 was no different. Amidst the voice actor signings and live box breaks, there were plenty of panels to check out, including a TCG creator panel.
Featuring Pokegirlrach, PokeDean, GBW, and Mojo Sports, the TCG creator panel took place on Friday at London Card Show XL 2026, providing a deep dive into the world of TCG content creation and collecting as a whole.
Becoming the very best (Like no one ever was)
The TCG creator panel took place on the first day of London Card Show XL 2026, hosted by Letitia Lemon and Dev Bajwa.
The panel featured two creators from the Pokémon TCG scene, PokeDean and Pokegirlrach, along with two sports TCG content creators, GBW and Mojo Sports.
The panel kicked off with the hosts and the creators discussing what they’d spent their money on so far at the event; SpongeBob Magic: The Gathering cards were a popular highlight, with Mojo joking that SpongeBob “can’t tear his ACL” unlike sports card stars.
Looking at their careers as a whole, the creators dug into when they started making content and how their journey had been. Pokegirlrach shared that she’d started creating content during lockdown, hoping to make friends and find company, while Mojo had made videos at football practice years back.
PokeDean joked that he felt like somewhat of an OG in the Pokémon TCG scene now, as he’d been making content for around a decade.
Reminiscing on how it’d been when he started and what his mindset was like, PokeDean shared, “You know what, I love Pokemon, I love making content… [let’s] just give it a go.”
Lemon asked the creators about their first viral moment in their content creation journey, or what made them realize this would be a viable career path for them.
“I think, for me, I started doing box breaks,” PokeDean shared, saying that he’d found it a great way to make fun content for his YouTube channel without having to spend so much money on packs and boxes.
Pokegirlrach continued, saying, “I’m probably similar to Dean, in that I needed something that was cheap and affordable, and that I could keep recreating,” referencing an Instagram Reel that’d blown up about being a thirty-year-old fan of Pokémon.
Mojo shared that he’d booked a flight to the Dallas Card Show one year ago and noticed a clear gap in content.
“Nobody was filming, there were no cameras,” He reminisced, “I put a GoPro on my backpack, and I was just vlogging my experience.
Staying inspired as a creator
The conversation moved on to challenges that creators face in the TCG space and what the panel would recommend for folks hoping to break into a similar space.
“Consistency,” GBW advised, “You do get burnt out pretty quick.” He noted that it’s crucial for aspiring creators to find content ideas and formats they’re genuinely passionate about, to help them avoid issues or feeling stagnant.
Mojo noted that there were definitely rough patches with being a creator and that it can be a “humbling experience.”
“You gotta do it for fun,” he encouraged the audience, “…If you can make content and become a storyteller, if you get inspired by us, I challenge you to go out there.”
PokeDean noted that it was somewhat easier now to create Pokémon TCG content than when he started, as the franchise has become much more popular, and he enthused that aspiring creators should believe in themselves.
“You’ve got to find what you’re passionate about,” Pokegirlrach agreed, saying that Pokémon was one of her main loves in life, and that she’d spent a lot of time working out what it was that she felt genuinely passionate about doing content-wise.
GBW continued the motivational theme with a later question, encouraging folks to pick up a camera and see what happened when they showcased the cards.
Finishing up with a look at the wider TCG landscape and gaming milestones, Mojo commented that it was shaping up to be a spectacular year ahead for the collectible scene.
“I mean, look, what a time to be a collector,” he enthused, ”We’ve got the World Cup, we’ve got the 30th anniversary of Pokémon, we’ve got the Star Wars anniversary next year,” saying that it was an incredible time for folks to get into the scene.
I’d be inclined to agree – whether you’re into TCGs, indie games, or esports, the year ahead is looking packed with incredible releases and monumental events. If you’ve been wondering about getting into trading cards or even playing a TCG competitively, have a look and see if there’s a local card game store near you where you can get started.
FAQs
The London Card Show XL 2026 event took place from April 17 to April 19, 2026.
The London Card Show is a TCG event that runs several times a year, giving TCG fans and collectors the chance to meet, attend panels and signings, and pick up new cards for their collections.
While the London Card Show is quite collector-oriented, there are still other events and attractions, e.g., Pokémon anime voice actor panels, TCG creator panels, and a free-to-play retro gaming zone.
If you’re interested in collecting beautiful art, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Lorcana each has a distinct aesthetic and features a variety of artists.
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