The Pokémon World Championships host a full schedule of side events open to all attendees who have an official event badge, whether or not you're playing in the main event. Come battle for a variety of awesome prizes in smaller Pokémon TCG and video game competitions throughout the weekend. It's a great opportunity to compete against players from around the world.
Fans of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon who have brought their own console and game can play events in the Sun Series and Ultra Series formats. You can even grab a friend and compete as a team in the Multi Cup.
Pokémon Trading Card Game players looking for Sealed events may enjoy tournaments run using Build & Battle Boxes, or Booster Battle events where they can build a 10-card deck to play lightning-fast games for a single Prize card. There will also be Standard and Expanded format events for those with their own decks, a King of the Hill format where players attempt to remain undefeated for as long as possible, and our Team Format where you and a friend team up and face off in pairs against your rivals!
Pokkén Tournament DX side event pods will be in the Team Battle format, but we're taking this to the next level with Saturday's Crew Battle event. Sign up in groups of three, with each player controlling one Pokémon on the team, and face off against rival groups. When your Pokémon faints, your next teammate takes over the controller. There will also be a Basic Battle tournament on Friday.
Players who have their own Nintendo Switch console and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! or Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! game can participate in scheduled tournaments on each day of the World Championships.
Finally, for those who prefer a mobile screen, we'll offer Pokémon GO events throughout the weekend. Whether you enjoy battling other players or conducting field research, you'll have a variety of chances to get involved. Our popular scavenger hunt activity from the North America International Championships is making a return, with a modified task list to get you into the spirit of the event.
For more information each of these formats, please refer to the appropriate schedules and event details below.
Most side events require an entry fee. Side event registration opens Friday at 10 a.m. and as soon as the hall opens on Saturday and Sunday. The prize wall closes early Sunday afternoon when the closing ceremony starts. Prizes must be redeemed by that time. See the side events area at the venue for more details.
Players will receive prize wall tickets based on their record. Many on-demand side events are round-robin pods of 4 players, so every player gets to play 3 rounds—this means three chances to win prize points! Larger scheduled events use double-elimination brackets for Pokkén Tournament DX and Swiss structures for most others. Round-robin pods of 4 players will be available at no cost to Junior Division players each day.
All times EDT. Times are subject to change.
Video Game Side Events
Friday, August 16
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods (Juniors) | No cost |
| 3 p.m. | Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee! Battle | $10 |
| 3 p.m. | Sun Series Tournament |
Saturday, August 17
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods (Juniors) | No cost |
| Noon | Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee! Battle | $10 |
| 3 p.m. | Ultra Series Tournament | $10 |
Sunday, August 18
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods (Juniors) | No cost |
| 10 a.m. | Multi Cup Tournament | $10 per player |
| 11 a.m. | Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee! Battle | $10 |
Video Game Side Event Special Formats
Pickup pods will be available in the Ultra Series format. Other formats may be available on the day.
Players in the Multi Cup Tournament form teams of 2 and participate in Multi Battles under Flat Rules. You won't be allowed to communicate with your partner during the game, so you'll have to try to figure out what your partner is thinking!
Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! / Let's Go, Eevee! Battle side events will be played on Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! for the Nintendo Switch. Players compete in Single Battle format using the Normal Rules rule set. Mewtwo, Mew, Meltan, and Melmetal are not permitted for use in these events.
Pokémon TCG Side Events
Friday, August 16
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard, Booster Battle | $5 |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Build & Battle | $20 |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | King of the Hill | $5 |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard (Juniors) | No cost |
| 11 a.m. | Team Battle Format Tournament | $5 per player |
| 2 p.m. | Team Battle Format Tournament | $5 per player |
Saturday, August 17
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard, Booster Battle | $5 |
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Build & Battle | $20 |
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard (Juniors) | No cost |
| 11 a.m. | Team Battle Format Tournament | $5 per player |
| 1 p.m. | Standard Tournament | $10 |
| 2 p.m. | Team Battle Format Tournament | $5 per player |
| 3 p.m. | Expanded Tournament | $10 |
Sunday, August 18
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard, Booster Battle | $5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Build & Battle | $20 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods—Standard (Juniors) | No cost |
| 10 a.m. | Standard Tournament | $10 |
| 11 a.m. | Team Battle Format Tournament | $5 per player |
TCG Side Event Special Formats
Pickup pods will be available in multiple formats, including:
Build & Battle—A Prerelease-style format using provided Build & Battle Boxes. The list of eligible expansions will be posted at the event.
Booster Battle—Each player will receive a booster pack and build a 10-card deck using the cards from their booster and additional Energy cards. Mutant Evolution rules are in play. Players compete against each other in games for a single Prize card, and players who cannot draw a card at the beginning of their turn will not immediately lose the game.
Additional Energy cards will be provided for all Sealed formats.
Anyone who wishes to stand out as one of the strongest players in the event hall should test their skills in our King of the Hill events. Two players battle, and the winner of the battle remains seated to face their next challenger. Points are earned for each win, and there's even a bonus for those who manage to reach the maximum win streak.
We also invite players to form their own teams and join our Team Format event! Any two players with Standard decks can take part in a Standard format game with a twist. This format is still in development, so the rules may be adjusted, and a full rule set will be provided on site. Here are the basics:
Games will be played in three lanes—each team will have three Active Pokémon, three Benches, three sets of four Prize cards, etc.
Players take their turns as a team. Each player can access the lane on their side, and both players have access to the center lane. (For example, the player who's sitting on the left can play their cards into the left or center lane.)
Each card played and each attack performed affects only the lane it is played into. The standard rules that govern number of actions performed and card types played in a turn apply separately to each lane. (For example, a player can play one Supporter card into their own lane and one into the center lane in the same turn, but if they do so, their teammate cannot also play a Supporter card into the center lane. The teammate could, however, play a Supporter card into their own lane.)
The team chooses attacks in all three lanes at the same time. Attacking ends the turn, as usual.
A team wins by being the first to take nine of their combined 12 Prize cards.
The cards Steven's Resolve, Pheromosa-GX, and Dialga-GX may not be used. For more in-depth details and rulings, inquire at the venue!
Pokkén Tournament DX Side Events
Friday, August 16
| 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
Saturday, August 17
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
| 3 p.m. | Crew Battle Tournament | $10 per player |
Sunday, August 18
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Pickup Pods | $5 |
| 11 a.m. | Basic Battle Tournament | $10 |
Pokkén Tournament DX Side Event Special Formats
Players are not required to bring their own Pokkén Tournament DX game or Nintendo Switch system to participate in any of these events.
Pickup Pods played in the Team Battle format, in which 8 players participate in a single-elimination bracket, will be available all weekend.
The Basic Battle Tournament will use a double-elimination format.
Crew Battle side events are played as a double-elimination bracket in teams of 3 players participating together as a unit. Battles take place in the Team Battle format, with each crew member playing 1 Pokémon from the team. When that Pokémon is knocked out, the next player substitutes in, until all 3 players and Pokémon from one team are knocked out.
Pokémon GO Side Events
Friday, August 16
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Scavenger Hunt Activity | $5 |
| 11 a.m. | Morning Cup | $5 |
| 2 p.m. | Afternoon Cup | $5 |
| 5 p.m. | Evening Cup | $5 |
Saturday, August 17
| 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Scavenger Hunt Activity | $5 |
| 11 a.m. | Morning Cup | $5 |
| 2 p.m. | Afternoon Cup | $5 |
| 5 p.m. | Evening Cup | $5 |
Sunday, August 18
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Scavenger Hunt Activity | $5 |
| 11 a.m. | Morning Cup | $5 |
| 1 p.m. | Afternoon Cup | $5 |
Pokémon GO Side Event Special Formats
Each League will be played in the Great League. Players bring a team of 6 Pokémon, from which they choose 3 to use in each battle. Players may not have 2 Pokémon with the same Pokédex number on their team.
As well as battling, we'll be setting challenges for you to undertake as part of a scavenger hunt, such as finding people from all over the world to trade with and catching particular species of Pokémon that have been sighted near the convention center. You can win awesome Pokémon GO branded merchandise through this activity, so keep your eyes peeled for more details at the venue!
