Bandai Namco Amusement America and Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles have announced the grand opening of THE GUNDAM BASE CHIGAGO, the first official GUNDAM BASE store in the U.S. THE GUNDAM BASE CHIGAGO will open on Friday, December 12, at the Fashion Outlets of Chicago in Rosemont, Illinois.
THE GUNDAM BASE CHICAGO offers an immersive retail and hands-on experience designed for Gundam fans and newcomers. The 3,000-square-foot features exclusive GUNPLA Kits and Merchandise, GUNDAM CARD GAME, a dedicated play area, exhibit displays with Gundam models and dioramas, a six-foot-tall Gundam statue, and limited-edition promotional items.
In addition, the limited-time “THE GUNDAM BASE POP-UP WORLD TOUR” pop-up experience will be located inside the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, a few steps away from the main store. The pop-up will offer exclusive items, special GUNPLA displays, and interactive
workshops, such as “Build your own GUNPLA.”
What’s more, the official Gundam website recently relaunched with the franchise’s first-ever Global Gundam Poll, which is open to all fans worldwide. Supported in 10 different languages, the poll lets players vote for their favorite Gundam-type mobile suits from the long-running Mobile Suit Gundam series until December 25 at 11:59 p.m. JST / 9:59 a.m. EST.
The Global Gundam Poll includes 233 Gundam units from 34 different Gundam TV series, OVAs, and films. There are also variants and upgrades of some Gundams as individual entries, such as the Strike Gundam and Unicorn Gundam. Results of the poll will be announced in spring 2026.
