Beyblade tournament in B.C. draws 40 participants

The whirring clash of spinning battle tops has returned, with adults now leading a resurgence of the Beyblade craze that first captivated children a quarter-century ago. A recent tournament at Imperial Hobbies in Richmond, British Columbia, drew about 40 competitors, all male and ranging from teenagers to adults over 60, highlighting the toy's cross-generational appeal driven by nostalgia and community.

Justin Tan, a 35-year-old FedEx courier, described the hobby as a stress reliever from his workweek. He was among the competitors who launched their tops into a bowl-shaped arena, known as a Beystadium, where battles are decided by which top stops spinning first, is ejected, or is destroyed. The toys, originally launched in Japan in 1999 by Takara Tomy and licensed in North America by Hasbro, are experiencing a notable comeback.

Marisa Pedetella, a spokeswoman for Hasbro Canada, said the resurgence is fueled by nostalgia and innovation, noting that the brand has always been cyclical. The latest revival began with the launch of Beyblade X in 2023. The company's 2025 annual report highlighted Beyblade sales growth, a trend that reportedly continued into the first quarter of 2026.