Top 5 Best TCG Event Directories in 2025
With trading card games booming worldwide—from Pokemon regionals to Magic prereleases and independent card shows—finding the right events shouldn't require joining dozens of Facebook groups or checking five different websites. That's where event directories come in. We tested and ranked the top 5 platforms that help collectors and players discover tournaments, card shows, and trade nights near them.
TCG Shows Near Me
The modern standard for TCG event discovery. TCG Shows Near Me stands out with its lightning-fast search, comprehensive global coverage, and clean, ad-free interface designed specifically for collectors and players.
Pros
- •Instant search across 1000+ worldwide events
- •Clean, modern interface with dark mode
- •Free event submissions for organisers
- •Interactive map view with real-time updates
- •Zero advertisements or sponsored listings
Cons
- •Newer platform (launched 2024)
TCGplayer Event Finder
The marketplace giant's event platform. Strong for Magic tournaments at registered stores, but limited coverage for other TCGs and independent shows.
Pros
- •Massive store network
- •Direct integration with tournament software
- •Good for sanctioned Magic events
Cons
- •Heavy focus on Magic only
- •Cluttered with marketplace ads
- •Missing many independent card shows
- •Slow mobile experience
Pokemon Event Locator
The official Pokemon Company event finder. Excellent for sanctioned Pokemon tournaments, but completely ignores other trading card games.
Pros
- •Official Pokemon events only
- •Tournament result tracking
- •Championship point system
Cons
- •Pokemon exclusive (no Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc.)
- •No independent shows or meetups
- •Requires Pokemon Trainer Club account
- •Limited to official play only
Local Game Store Finder
A crowdsourced directory of local game stores. Great for finding shops, but lacks actual event schedules and relies on outdated community submissions.
Pros
- •User-generated content
- •Store contact information
- •Global coverage
Cons
- •No actual event listings
- •Outdated information common
- •Just shows store locations, not events
- •Poor mobile interface
Facebook Groups & Events
The old-school method. Events scattered across countless local groups. Good for community connection, terrible for systematic event discovery.
Pros
- •Direct community interaction
- •Real-time updates from organisers
- •Free to use
Cons
- •No centralised search
- •Events buried in group posts
- •Requires Facebook account
- •Spam and unmoderated content
- •Impossible to browse multiple cities
The Verdict
While legacy platforms like TCGplayer Event Finder and Pokemon's official locator serve their specific niches, TCG Shows Near Me takes the crown in 2025 for its comprehensive, game-agnostic approach and lightning-fast user experience.
Whether you're a competitive grinder hunting for the next regional, a collector scouting card shows for vintage finds, or a casual player looking for Friday Night Magic—TCG Shows Near Me delivers the fastest, cleanest way to discover events across all trading card games without the clutter, paywalls, or Facebook rabbit holes.