Leagues

What’s a Pokémon Trading Card Game League?

A Pokémon League provides a nearby place for you to get together with other fans of both the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the Pokémon video games, and have some fun. Using your own cards and Pokémon DS games, you can play, trade, and even earn cool prizes! The best part is that you can do all this with other Pokémon players who love collecting and playing just as much as you do.

Even if you don’t know all the rules of the game, at a league you can learn game basics and, in no time, perfect your strategy! Joining a league is the best way to hone your skills to compete in Pokémon tournaments from Battle Roads all the way up to the World Championships. Leagues are held in safe, public locations, such as game stores, community centers, or libraries, and are run by official League Leaders.

2009–2010 League: Trainer Challenge

The league cycle is divided into eight seasons, each of which lasts about five weeks and represents one of the eight toughest Trainers in the entire Sinnoh region! Most leagues meet once a week for three to four hours. When each season begins, you'll receive a card like the one below:

As you participate in league events, you'll use this card to keep track of your league matches. If you play in enough matches and track them on your scorecard, you'll earn special promo cards! And, if you meet more specific goals while playing in two back-to-back leagues, you can even earn exclusive themed skins for your DS!

Participation includes playing Pokémon TCG games, playing Pokémon DS game matches, completing activities, and trading cards.

Need more information? Visit our League FAQ.

Get a glimpse of the Trainer Challenge Cycle scorecards as they become available below...

The Trainer Challenge Cycle

1. Rival Season

2. Cyrus Season

2009-2010 Trainer Season 1 & 2 League Reward — DS Skin #1 Rival Skin 1

3. Cynthia Season

4. Palmer Season

2009-2010 Trainer Season 3 & 4 League Reward — DS Skin #2 Cyrus Skin

5. Thorton Season

6. Dahlia Season

2009-2010 Trainer Season 5 & 6 League Reward — DS Skin #3 Palmer Skin

7. Darach Season

8. Argenta Season

Find a League—or Start One!

There are hundreds of Pokémon TCG Leagues across North America and Europe, and many large cities have several leagues in different locations. If you're trying to find a league in your area, try using our League Locator.

If you are interested in becoming a League Leader, register for aPokémon Trainer Club account and read our Pokémon League instructions. Once you are familiar with what is required to be a good League Leader, fill out a Pokémon TCG League application. If you've already got a Pokémon Trainer Club account, you will need to sign in before you can fill out the application.