The 2018 Pokémon Championship Series season dates and events have been announced, as well as the dates for this year’s Pokémon European International Championships, which will take place at ExCeL London on 17–19 November 2017.
The Pokémon Championship Series is the official competitive program for Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon video game players. The best of the best compete throughout the season to win fantastic prizes and for the chance to be crowned the Pokémon World Champion.
Get ready to battle in the 2018 Championship Series season! The Championship Series is the official competitive program for Pokémon TCG and video game players. Featuring competitions for players of all ages around the world, the Championship Series is a great way to have fun, meet Pokémon fans, and earn great prizes.
For those who are just getting started with competitive Pokémon play, the Championship Series includes events you can find at your local game stores, all the way up to the four International Championships events. Each Championship Series season ends in grand fashion with the annual Pokémon World Championships.
Players compete for Championship Points so they can qualify for the World Championships. To keep things fair, all points reset at the beginning of each new season. You can start earning points for the 2018 season—use the Event Locator to find a tournament near you!
The tournament rules for the 2018 Championship Series season have been updated. Please review them before attending your first competition.
Keep in mind that the next Pokémon TCG format rotation will take place on September 1, 2017, so tournaments early in the season will continue to use the current legal sets. Keep checking Pokemon.com for updates to the Pokémon TCG format rotation and video game competitive format.
Pokémon Championship Series
Compete against other Pokémon TCG and video game players in the Pokémon Championship Series!
- Test your Pokémon battling skills
- Be a part of the competitive Pokémon community
- Win prizes, Travel Awards, and more
- Earn an invitation the Pokémon World Championships
- Meet Pokémon players from around the world
- Events take place throughout the year
- Competitions for players of all skill levels
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.
Most smaller tournaments require no advance registration—all you need to do is show up with a valid Pokémon TCG deck or video game and system. Tournaments at the Regionals level and above may require advance registration; be sure to check the tournament listing for details.
Most Pokémon Championship Series events are operated by independent Tournament Organizers. Please contact the Tournament Organizers for specific information about their venue or scheduling. Entry fees are at the discretion of the Tournament Organizer.
The following Play! Pokémon Championship Series events are open to all players:
- League Challenge (TCG only)
- League Cup (TCG only)
- Premier Challenge (VG only)
- Midseason Showdown (VG only)
- Pokémon Regional Championships
- Pokémon International Championships
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.
Information for Competitors
Before you attend a Championship Series event, here are some guidelines you should know that apply to every competition.
A player’s Pokémon TCG deck must comply with the format assigned for the given tournament as outlined in the Pokémon Tournament Rules. A video game player’s team must comply with the regulations for each event.
Every player is encouraged to provide their Player ID and have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, and must be in good standing with the Play! Pokémon program. It is helpful for players to bring their Player ID card, if they have one. If they have not previously been given a Player ID, they can request one here or obtain one at the event.
Players should review the Pokémon Tournament Rules for more information about what to bring to an event.
Every qualified player must have an updated Pokémon Trainer Club account in order to be eligible for a Travel Award, Travel Stipend, cash award, scholarship, or event invitation.
To get started in the Pokémon Championship Series, find an event near you and join the fun. Good luck, Trainers!
2018 Pokémon Video Game Championship Series Overview
Pokémon video game players will be able to compete in more events than ever as the series expands to new cities and countries around the world. Championship Series events will use the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games.
The full breakdown of the season Video Game Championship Points structure can be found here.
2018 Pokémon TCG Championship Series Overview
The 2018 Pokémon TCG Championship Series will continue to host competitions featuring both the Standard and Expanded format. Consult the event listing to see which format the competition will use.
The current Standard format includes all cards from the XY—BREAKthrough expansion forward, XY Series promo cards numbered XY67 and higher, and all Sun & Moon Series promo cards. The current Expanded format includes all cards from the Black & Whiteexpansion forward, and all promo cards from the Black & White Series, XY Series, and Sun & Moon Series. See the complete list of legal cards for the 2018 season.
Pokémon TCG Championship Points
Information subject to change. Last updated: 7/26/2017.
Pokémon TCG Championship Points are awarded to players based on their final standing at each Pokémon Championship Series event.
These events include:
- League Challenges
- League Cups
- Regional Championships
- International Championships
- World Championships
- Special Events
About the Championship Points System
All Championship Series events award Championship Points to players who finish in 1st place in their age division. Players finishing below 1st place earn points only if the attendance at a specific event and in their age division reaches a specific threshold. The awarding of additional Championship Points at an event based on attendance is called the Kicker.
Each Championship Series event has a Best Finish Limit. This is the maximum number of scores that can count for that series, with higher-scoring placements replacing lower scores.
To be eligible for Championship Points and Play! Points, players must have a registered Player ID attached to their Pokémon Trainer Club account and must opt in to the Play! Pokémon program.
Pokémon TCG Championship Points Tables
Championship Points will be used to determine various awards during the 2018 Championship Series season, including invitations to the Pokémon World Championships.
League Challenge
Best Finish Limit: 2 per quarter, shared with League Cup*
Play! Points: 1
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 15 | 0 |
| 2 | 12 | 0 |
| 3-4 | 10 | 0 |
| 5-8 | 8 | 24 |
| 9-16 | 6 | 48 |
| 17-32 | 4 | 100 |
League Cup
Best Finish Limit: 2 per quarter, shared with League Challenge*
Play! Points: 2
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 50 | 0 |
| 2 | 40 | 0 |
| 3-4 | 32 | 0 |
| 5-8 | 25 | 24 |
| 9-16 | 20 | 48 |
| 17-32 | 16 | 100 |
| 33-64 | 13 | 200 |
*League Challenge and League Cup share a Best Finish Limit of two events per quarter. The quarters are:
- July through October 2017
- November 2017 through January 2018
- February through April 2018
- May 2018 through the end of the tournament season
Regional Championships & Special Events
Best Finish Limit: No Limit
Play! Points: 3
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 200 | 0 |
| 2 | 160 | 0 |
| 3-4 | 130 | 0 |
| 5-8 | 100 | 24 |
| 9-16 | 80 | 48 |
| 17-32 | 60 | 100 |
| 33-64 | 50 | 200 |
| 65-128 | 40 | 400 |
| 129-256 | 30 | 800 |
International Championships
Best Finish Limit: 4
Play! Points: 5
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 500 | 0 |
| 2 | 400 | 0 |
| 3-4 | 320 | 0 |
| 5-8 | 250 | 24 |
| 9-16 | 200 | 48 |
| 17-32 | 160 | 100 |
| 33-64 | 130 | 200 |
| 65-128 | 100 | 400 |
| 129-256 | 80 | 800 |
| 257-512 | 60 | 1600 |
Special Events
Special Events take place in addition to standard Championship Series events. Most of these occur either as side events at major Championship Series tournaments or as standalone events scheduled at gaming conventions. The format and prizes at special events may vary.
