Leagues

Join a Pokémon 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.

2013 League Cycle: Unova 2 Challenge

The league cycle is divided into eight seasons, each of which lasts about five weeks and represents one of the badges that can be earned by defeating Unova region Gym Leaders! 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. As you play matches and track your participation on your scorecard, you’ll have the chance to earn several prizes each season!

When you complete rows on your scorecard, you’ll earn special Pokémon TCG Online code cards!

These code cards unlock digital promo cards that you can play with and trade online! Learn more about the Pokémon TCG Online.

If you meet more specific goals, you can even earn exclusive Unova themed awards, including this badge case and a special badge for each season! Learn how to order your badge case.

Players who also enjoy Pokémon video games like Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 can get certain popular Pokémon in their game by attending league events! Learn how to befriend Pokémon by attending local leagues.

If you have an active Pokémon Trainer Club account, you’ve signed up for the Pokémon Global Link, and your attendance at a league event has been reported, you can befriend Pokémon like Metagross by logging into the PGL, clicking the "Promotions" link, and following the instructions.

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

Need more information? Visit our League FAQ.

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

The Unova Challenge Cycle

1. Aspertia Gym Season

2. Virbank Gym Season

3. Castelia Gym Season

4. Nimbasa Gym Season

5. Driftveil Gym Season

Find a Pokémon League Near You!

There are hundreds of Pokémon Leagues across the World, 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.

Just getting started?

The first step to participating in Play! Pokémon events such as Pokémon League is to create a Pokémon Trainer Club account on Pokemon.com!

Once you have set up your Pokémon Trainer Club (PTC) account you will be able to track the events you are attending, and earn Player Rewards, Championship Points, and Play Points.

In the 2013 League cycle, players who have already been reported as having attended a Pokémon League event and have an active PTC account will be able to order one Badge Case!

Step 1: When you log into your account and view your profile, your first step will be to click on the “My Play! Pokémon” tab:

Step 2: Scroll down the “My Play! Pokémon” page until you see your League listing which shows you which leagues you have been reported in for the year. If you have been reported in a league in the past, you will have the option to order your Badge Case.

Step 3: When ordering a Badge Case, players will have to choose a league that they will attend and then select which season they will next attend in order to pick up their Badge Case.

After the order has been placed, players will be able to return to this page in order to see when and where they can expect to see their Badge Case.

Players under the age of 13 years of age will need help from their parents when ordering their Badge Case. Parents will be able to log in and access their children’s accounts to follow the steps listed above

Become a Pokémon League Leader!

If you are interested in becoming a League Leader, register for a Pokémon 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 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.