The Pokémon International Championships draw Pokémon players from all around the globe during the Championship Series season. These amazing events will feature high Championship Point payouts for TCG and Video Game Championship (VGC) players, and direct invitations to the World Championships for Pokémon GO.
Top-level competition
Large Championship Point and prize payout
No qualifications or residency restrictions for tournament entry
Travel Awards to the International Championships will be available to TCG and VGC players based on Championship Point performance in their home rating zone—see below for details.
In order to participate, players must have a Pokémon Trainer Club account; be in good standing with the Play! Pokémon program; and comply with current COVID-19 requirements for large Pokémon events.
International Championships require online registration and usually charge an entry fee, and events may sell out. Please check the Event Locator for details about each event, including information regarding registration.
2023 Pokémon International Championships Events
| Date | Region | Location | Game(s) |
| Nov. 25–27, 2022 | Latin America | Expo Center Norte Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333 - Vila Guilherme São Paulo - SP, 02055-000, Brazil |
TCG GO |
| Feb. 17–19, 2023 | Oceania | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 1 Convention Centre Pl South Wharf VIC 3006, Australia |
TCG GO VG |
| Apr. 14–16, 2023 | Europe | ExCeL London One Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock London, England E16 1XL |
TCG GO VG UNITE |
| June 30–July 2, 2023 | North America | Greater Columbus Convention Center, Halls A & B 400 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States |
TCG GO VG UNITE |
Awards for Travel
TCG and VGC players can qualify for Travel Awards to the International Championships based on their performance and their standing in Championship Points in their home rating zone (North America, Latin America, Europe, and Oceania) during the stand-alone qualification period below. Players in the Russia rating zone and the Middle East and South Africa rating zone are not eligible for Travel Awards via this process.
Latin America International Championships: Awards for travel to the TCG Latin America International Championships are based on Championship Points earned from the Monday following the 2022 Europe International Championships through the Sunday of the 2022 North America International Championships. VGC does not feature at this event; see Travel Awards to the Oceania International Championships.
Oceania International Championships: Awards for travel to the TCG Oceania International Championships are based on Championship Points earned from the Monday following the 2022 North America International Championships through the Sunday of the Latin America International Championships. Awards for travel to the VGC Oceania International Championships are based on Championship Points earned from the Monday following the 2022 Europe International Championships through the Sunday of the 2022 North America International Championships.
Europe International Championships: Awards for travel to the Europe International Championships are based on Championship Points earned from the Monday following the Latin America International Championships through the Sunday of the Oceania America International Championships.
North America International Championships: Awards for travel to the North America International Championships are based on Championship Points earned from the Monday following the Oceania International Championships through the Sunday of the Europe International Championships.
Pokémon TCG and VGC players in each rating zone can qualify for a Travel Award by finishing in the Top 4 in their age division for Championship Points earned during the below qualification period.
Players who finish 5th–16th in the Pokémon TCG, or 5th–8th in the VGC, are eligible to earn a $1,000 Travel Stipend, paid after the event and subject to them attending and completing at least one round of play in the main event.
Players who qualify will receive a flat Travel Award amount prior to the event. Players are fully responsible for booking their own hotel and travel. The amount is based on the age of the recipient, their region of residence, and the region of the event. The amounts are as follows:
Travel Award Amounts (pre-tax) |
||
| Out of Region | In Region | |
| Age 18+ | $3,500.00 | $2,000.00 |
| Under Age 18 | $5,000.00 | $2,500.00 |
Unless otherwise specified, all Travel Awards are paid in US dollars and subject to applicable tax withholding. Travel Award winners should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their tax obligations.
Subject to change.
Prizes
Prizes are awarded to the top players in each age division. Players must have a Pokémon Trainer Club account with a Player ID attached and must have opted in to the Play! Pokémon program in order to earn points and awards.
For the Pokémon TCG, VGC, and Pokémon GO International Championships, the format of each prize is dependent on the age of the recipient. Here are the International Championships prizes for the 2023 Play! Pokémon Championship Series season.
18 years of age and older:
Awards of $5,000 or more: choice of scholarship or cash
Awards under $5,000: cash
Under 18 years of age:
Awards of $5,000 or more: choice of scholarship or Pokémon Visa® Prepaid Card
Awards under $5,000: Pokémon Visa® Prepaid Card
Prizes and prize distribution may be subject to change.
All TCG and VGC participants will receive 5 Play! Points. All TCG, VGC, and Pokémon GO players will receive a Pokémon International Championships promo card (while supplies last), just for playing! Other participation rewards may also be offered and may vary by event.
Prizes are based on attendance per age division. Unless otherwise specified, all prizes are paid in US dollars and subject to applicable tax withholding. Prize winners should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their tax obligations.
Pokémon TCG Internationals Prize Table
| Placement | 1–100 players | 101–200 players | 201+ players |
| 1 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| 2 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 3–4 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 5–8 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| 9–16 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 17–32 | $- | $500 | $750 |
| 33–64 | $- | $- | $500 |
TCG Booster Packs
1st–8th place: 216 booster packs
9th–16th place: 144 booster packs
17th–32nd place: 72 booster packs
33rd–64th place: 36 booster packs
(Booster pack awards subject to change by market)
Pokémon VGC Internationals Prize Table
| Placement | 1–100 players | 101–200 players | 201+ players |
| 1 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 3–4 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| 5–8 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 9–16 | $- | $500 | $750 |
| 17–32 | $- | $- | $500 |
Subject to change.
Additionally, in eligible markets, the top 16 Pokémon VGC players will receive Pokémon TCG booster packs, regardless of attendance.
1st–4th place: 72 booster packs
5th–8th place: 36 booster packs
9th–16th place: 18 booster packs
Pokémon GO Internationals Prize Table
| Placement | 1–100 players | 101–200 players | 201+ players |
| 1 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 3 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| 4 | $600 | $900 | $1,250 |
| T-5 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| T-7 | $400 | $600 | $900 |
| T-9 | - | $500 | $750 |
| T-13 | - | $400 | $ 600 |
| T-17 | - | - | $ 500 |
| T-25 | - | - | $ 400 |
Subject to change.
Additionally, in eligible markets, the top 16 Pokémon GO players will receive Pokémon TCG booster packs, regardless of attendance.
1st–4th place: 72 booster packs
5th–8th place: 36 booster packs
9th–16th place: 18 booster packs
Championship Points for the 2023 Pokémon TCG International Championships
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 500 | 0 |
| 2 | 400 | 0 |
| 3–4 | 320 | 0 |
| 5–8 | 250 | 0 |
| 9–16 | 200 | 48 |
| 17–32 | 160 | 100 |
| 33–64 | 130 | 200 |
| 65–128 | 100 | 400 |
| 129–256 | 80 | 800 |
| 257–512 | 60 | 1600 |
Notes:
Best Finish Limit: 4
Championship Point values subject to change.
Championship Points for the 2023 Pokémon VGC International Championships
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 500 | 0 |
| 2 | 400 | 0 |
| 3–4 | 320 | 0 |
| 5–8 | 250 | 0 |
| 9–16 | 200 | 48 |
| 17–32 | 160 | 100 |
| 33–64 | 130 | 200 |
| 65–128 | 100 | 400 |
| 129–256 | 80 | 800 |
| 257–512 | 60 | 1600 |
Notes:
Best Finish Limit: 4
Championship Point values subject to change.
Pokémon GO Invites from the 2023 International Championships
Top Pokémon GO players at these events will win an invitation to the 2023 Pokémon World Championships, and some will even earn a Travel Award to Worlds! Worlds invites will be distributed at each International Championships as follows.
| Placement | Invite Awarded |
| 1 | Worlds invite + Travel Award |
| 2 | Worlds invite + Travel Award |
| 3–4 | Worlds invite |
