Music mogul Simon Cowell has been spotted spending some of his reported $600 million fortune on expensive Pokémon cards.
The X Factor and American Idol star was recently photographed while attending the London Trading Card show held in South London, at Croydon Boxpark.
It was there that Cowell, 65, purchased a Rayquaza VMAX Alt Art card, graded PSA 10 for quality. The trader who sold Cowell the card then snapped a photo of the deal, and posted it to their Instagram.
Pokémon card seller Onfire Trading Cards stated that Cowell “was picking up all sorts” around the show alongside his rare Rayquaza — which has a street value of up to $2,700 alone.
Responding to fan questions on Instagram, the trader said it was “one of my many regrets” he hadn’t thought to sing for Cowell at the same time.
Other fans suggested Cowell was likely purchasing cards for his 11-year-old son, Eric.
The Pokémon TCG remains hugely popular, with cards regularly changing hands for eye-watering amounts of money. Even packs that are still readily available today can contain cards worth decent sums, as IGN’s guide to the most expensive cards from the 151 expansion of the Scarlet & Violet set details. (Want a Charizard ex? You’re looking at over $180.)
Some of the rarest Pokémon cards of all time are not for sale, however — such as the one-of-a-kind Popplio that was signed by Pope Leo earlier this month. As IGN reported, the lucky owner of that particular card has said they’ll be keeping their prize forever, after it was signed and blessed by the pontiff. Unless Simon Cowell wants to make an offer?
Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
