Video Game Championship Series

2013 Pokémon Video Game World Championships

August 9th through August 11th

The 2013 Pokémon Video Game World Championships are the ultimate test of a player’s Pokémon video game skills, strategy, and creativity. Champions are awarded the most prestigious title in the Play! Pokémon championship series: Pokémon Video Game World Champion!

When will the Pokémon Video Game World Championships take place?

The Pokémon Video Game World Championships will take place from Friday, August 9th through Sunday, August 11th.

Where will the 2013 Pokémon Video Game World Championships be held?

The Pokémon Video Game World Championships will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Vancouver Convention Centre
1055 Canada Pl
Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3 Canada
Phone: 604-689-8232

How can I play at the Pokémon Video Game World Championships?

The Pokémon Video Game World Championships is an invitation-only event, meaning that only those players who receive an official invite from Pokémon Organized Play will be able to compete for the title of Pokémon World Champion.

Players who do not receive an official invite from Pokémon Organized Play can compete in the Last Chance Qualifier on August 9th. See details on how to participate in the LCQ.

View the 2013 Video Game World Championships Invitational Structure.

How much does the event cost?

There is no entry fee to participate in the World Championships or the Last Chance Qualifier. However, seating is limited at the Last Chance Qualifier and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other Information

Players who wish to compete in a Pokémon video game event, like the World Championships, must adhere to the Tournament Rules.

• Invitation and Travel Award winners will receive a packet of important information. Please make sure you read this packet thoroughly and return the requested documents to Pokémon Organized Play by the deadlines given. If you do not, you may lose your seat in the event.

When you show up at a Pokémon video game tournament, there are some things you must have with you. We’ve provided this handy checklist so that you can show up to the event prepared!

• A copy of Pokémon Black Version 2 or Pokémon White Version 2 for the Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system
• A Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DS system
  • Players are strongly encouraged to bring a charger for their systems, as tournament staff will not have chargers available for loan.
• A team of legal Pokémon per the Tournament Rules
• Should a player’s eligibility to participate in an age division be questioned, proof of age may be requested. Failure to provide proof of age may result in the player being denied participation in the tournament, at the organizer’s discretion.

What is the tournament structure?

The tournament is run using Swiss plus Single Elimination pairings. The number of Swiss rounds will depend on total attendance at the event. Swiss rounds will use the best-of-three game format, and each game will have a 20-minute time limit.

After Swiss rounds are complete, there will be a cut to single-elimination finals. The top 8 players from each age division will then play in the single-elimination finals.

Single-elimination finals will be a best-of-three game format. Each single-elimination game will have a 20-minute time limit.

What are the prizes?

Prizes are awarded to the top 16 players in each age division.

The divisions are:

Junior Division: Born in 2002 or later
Senior Division: Born in 1998, 1999, 2000, or 2001
Masters Division: Born in 1997 or earlier

The top 16 finishers in each of the three age divisions receive the following prizes:

1st Place

• A Pokémon World Champion Trophy
• Championship points equal to the invitation level (To Be Announced) for the 2014 World Championships
• A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players considered minors) to the 2014 World Championships
• A scholarship award worth $3,500
• Exclusive Pokémon World Championships merchandise
• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion

2nd Place

• A Pokémon World Championships Second-Place Trophy
• Championship points equal to the invitation level (TBA) for the 2014 World Championships
• A Travel Award for the winner (and parent or legal guardian for players considered minors) to the 2014 World Championships
• A scholarship award worth $1,500
• Exclusive Pokémon World Championships merchandise
• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion

3rd Place

• A Pokémon World Championships Third-Place Trophy
• Exclusive Pokémon World Championships merchandise
• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion
• Championship Points (specific award TBA)

4th Place

• A Pokémon World Championships Fourth Place Trophy
• Exclusive Pokémon World Championships merchandise
• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion
• Championship Points (specific award TBA)

5th through 8th Place

• Exclusive Pokémon World Championships merchandise
• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion
• Championship Points (specific award TBA)

9th through 16th Place

• Two boxes of the next upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion