Everything we know about the Pokémon World Championship 2023

TL;DR

  • Worlds 2023 moves to Yokohama, Japan from August 11-13 with major timezone considerations for international viewers
  • Four competitive titles featured: VGC on Scarlet/Violet, TCG, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokémon GO championships
  • Streaming split between Pokémon’s Twitch channel and dedicated game-specific platforms
  • Notable absence of Pokkén Tournament DX creates focused competitive lineup
  • Strategic viewing requires coordinating multiple streams across different time zones

Worlds 2023

The Pokémon World Championship 2023 represents the pinnacle of competitive Pokémon gaming, bringing together elite trainers from across the globe for three days of intense competition.

Competitors have battled through rigorous regional qualifiers to earn their spots at Worlds, with substantial prize pools awaiting the champions across multiple game disciplines. The event showcases the highest level of strategic gameplay in both digital and physical Pokémon competitions.

This comprehensive guide provides everything dedicated fans need to follow the action, whether planning to watch remotely or understanding the competitive landscape.

Pokémon Worlds 2023 Schedule and Location

Following last year’s successful event at London’s ExCel convention center, the Pokémon World Championships make their triumphant return to Japan, specifically at the Yokohama convention facilities.

The competition runs from Friday, August 11 through Sunday, August 13, 2023, with opening ceremonies commencing at 9:45 AM Japan Standard Time (JST). International viewers should note the significant time difference: JST is UTC+9, meaning early morning starts for North American audiences and late evening viewing for European fans.

For travelers attending in person, Yokohama offers excellent infrastructure and is conveniently located near Tokyo, making it accessible for international visitors. The official Pokémon website remains the primary source for detailed schedule updates as match times are finalized.

Games at Pokémon Worlds

Pokémon Day 2023 announcements revealed the four official competitive titles that will crown world champions this year, each requiring distinct strategic approaches and mastery.

The Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC) feature battles on the newest generation titles Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, introducing new mechanics and Pokémon that have reshaped the competitive meta. The Trading Card Game (TCG) tournament continues as the most participant-heavy competition, testing deck-building creativity and in-game decision-making under pressure.

Pokémon UNITE brings MOBA-style team competition to the world stage, while Pokémon GO showcases the mobile game’s competitive potential with unique battle formats.

Notably absent this year is Pokkén Tournament DX, which had been part of the Worlds lineup since 2017. This consolidation to four core games allows for more focused coverage and deeper competition within each title.


How to Watch the Pokémon World Championship 2023

While the event itself is held in-person in Yokohama, global audiences have multiple streaming options to follow the action live. The primary coverage hub is Pokémon’s official Twitch channel, which will broadcast the VGC and TCG main stage competitions with professional commentary and analysis.

Viewers interested in Pokémon UNITE and Pokémon GO championships need to navigate to their designated streaming channels, as coverage is segmented by game title. This distributed approach allows for game-specific expert commentary but requires viewers to manage multiple streams during overlapping match times.

Strategic viewing tip: Create a personalized schedule accounting for timezone differences and prioritize matches based on your interests. For comprehensive competitive gaming strategies that apply across titles, understanding resource management and timing is crucial.

Action Checklist

  • Calculate local viewing times using JST (UTC+9) conversion for August 11-13 schedule
  • Bookmark all streaming platforms: Pokémon Twitch, UNITE, and GO channels
  • Create personalized viewing schedule prioritizing key matches across different games
  • Test stream quality on all platforms before events begin to ensure smooth viewing
  • Join community discussions on social media for real-time updates and expert insights

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