Join the worldwide community of Pokémon Trading Card Game competitors in the Pokémon TCG Championship Series.
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Play in live, in-person competitions at locations around the world
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Events for competitors of all levels, from those brand-new to the game to top-flight players
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Earn Championship Points toward an invitation to the yearly Pokémon World Championships
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Win cool prizes and Travel Awards to future global events
The Pokémon TCG Championship Series is a major part of the Play! Pokémon program, which also includes Pokémon League and Prerelease events.
How to play in the Pokémon TCG Championship Series
Most smaller tournaments require no advance registration—all you need to do is show up with a valid Pokémon TCG deck. Tournaments at the Regionals level and above may require advance registration; be sure to check the tournament listing for details. Larger tournaments typically require pre-registration and often have an entry fee. Side events are also frequently held at larger events, giving players more ways to compete and earn prizes!
A player's Pokémon TCG deck must comply with the format assigned for the given tournament as outlined in the Pokémon Tournament Rules. Most Championship Series events, including all Regional and International Championships, use the Standard format. In the Standard format, players may use only cards from recent expansions, so you won't have to worry about catching up with a long backlog of cards.
To register for Championship Series events, all Pokémon TCG competitors will need a Pokémon Trainer Club account, have a Play! Pokémon Player ID, and accept the Play! Pokémon Terms of Use.
It's easy to get started in the Pokémon Championship Series! Use the Event Locator to find out where you can compete in your area.
Pokémon TCG Championship Series events
The following Pokémon TCG Championship Series events are open to all players in the 2024 season:
Get started in the world of competitive Pokémon TCG play with League Challenge tournaments. These events are small, entry-level, and on a local scale.
Pokémon TCG League Cup tournaments give players an opportunity to earn Championship Points and practice their skills for larger competitions.
Regional Championships events take place all around the world. After the Pokémon International Championships, the Pokémon Regional Championships are the largest events in terms of both attendance and Championship Point payouts.
The International Championships draw Pokémon TCG players from all around the globe during the Championship Series season. These amazing events feature high Championship Point payouts and a larger prize pool.
In addition to the regular events in the Championship Series schedule, Pokémon Special Events give players more chances to earn Championship Points. They may occur either as side events at major Championship Series tournaments, as standalone events scheduled at gaming conventions, or in select markets where Regional Championships do not occur. The format and prizes of Special Events may vary.
The best players throughout the season can earn invitations to the Pokémon World Championships! Competitors who have earned the requisite number of Championship Points during the season will receive an invitation to compete, but all fans are welcome to come witness the excitement of the most prestigious event in the Pokémon Championship Series. The players with the most Championship Points within their rating zone can earn themselves travel support to the World Championships and a Round 1 bye at Worlds. Additionally, guaranteed invites to the Pokémon World Championships will be awarded to the following high finishers in Premier Events, regardless of their final Championship Point total:
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Regional Championships 1st place
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Special Events in the Europe rating zone 1st place
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International Championships 1st and 2nd place
Note that guaranteed invites do not pass down.
Note that some events have limited capacity and require badges for both spectators and participants. Attendees must also comply with our COVID-19 policy.
To get started in the Pokémon TCG Championship Series, find an event near you and join the fun. Good luck, Trainers!
