Over 1,000 Kids to Take Over Roseland Ballroom This Weekend to Battle for Bakugan National Championship

NEW YORK, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Coming off the heels of two Toy of the Year award wins at the 2010 American International Toy Fair (for Boys Toy of the Year, and Property of the Year), the definitive Bakugan experience is coming this weekend.  The ultimate Bakugan battle brawler will be crowned at Baku-Con, the first ever national Bakugan tournament taking place at the legendary Roseland Ballroom Feb. 20-21.

Hundreds of New York kids will be among the 1,000+ fanatics of the massively popular action game and TV series to battle for the title and participate in a wide variety of Bakugan-related activities among their peers.  Baku-Con is free for all who attend.

Thousands of kids across America have been competing in regional Baku-Con tournaments in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Orlando, with the top 32 players from each city being flown in courtesy of Spin Master to compete in the finals this weekend.  The New York regional tournament takes place this Saturday, Feb. 20, with 32 of New York's top players advancing to the tournament's decisive championship matches on Sunday.

"Bakugan is a full-blown phenomenon," said Chris Byrne, noted toy industry expert and content director for TimeToPlayMag.com, a.k.a. "THE TOY GUY(R)".  "The kind of popularity Bakugan has reached is rarely seen in the toy industry, and Baku-Con is the ultimate experience for its fans.  There is sure to be a lot of excitement at this weekend's championship event."

"Baku-Con has been a huge success, and is a testament to Bakugan and its fans," says Harold Chizick, VP Global Communications and Promotions for Spin Master.  "Kids have been coming out in droves to the events.  It's really unforgettable for them, and it's going to be very exciting to crown a national Bakugan champion."

In addition to official tournament play, the event will create a Bakugan convention-like brand experience for players, parents and siblings.

The Baku-Con event will include:

• Tournament play for Baku-Con Championship

• Meet the Masters - autograph session with 6 Bakugan Battle Masters

• Pick-up area for free Bakugan play and game training

• Photo Opportunities

• Custom Bakugan Apparel - custom-designed T-shirts to be made on site

• Baku-Bowling Skee Ball game with prizing

• Cartoon Viewing Lounge

• Online activity with exclusive reward

• Merchandise - must-have Bakugan products

• Parents Hospitality Lounge

The event will run from 9am-5pm, with on-site registration beginning at 8am.  Players will battle it out in eight tournament zones, with 32 of the top players from each regional advancing to Sunday's final rounds.  On Sunday, 160 of the tournament's top players will compete in five rounds of Swiss pairing, then the top eight will compete in single elimination final rounds.

For more information on Baku-Con, please visit www.Baku-Con.com.

SOURCE Spin Master Ltd.