TL;DR
- The Pokemon Championship Series features four competitive games across global regional tournaments
- Players earn Championship Points through regional placements to qualify for World Championships
- 2023 season begins with TCG and Pokemon GO events starting September 2022
- Three age divisions (Junior, Senior, Masters) compete separately
- Strategic preparation and deck optimization are crucial for competitive success
While the current Pokemon World Championships continue to captivate audiences, competitive players are already shifting focus toward the action-packed 2023 season. The Pokemon Company’s comprehensive schedule release signals an exciting return to full-scale regional competitions after pandemic disruptions.
After experiencing limited tournament opportunities in recent years, the Pokemon TCG community eagerly anticipates a complete competitive circuit leading to the next World Championships. This guide provides essential insights for navigating the qualification pathway and maximizing competitive performance.
What is the Pokemon Championship Series?
The Pokemon Championship Series represents a structured year-long competitive framework where participants accumulate Championship Points through tournament performances. These points determine eligibility for the prestigious Pokemon World Championships, where the best players from around the globe compete for championship titles.
Four distinct Pokemon gaming formats comprise the Championship Series:
- Pokemon TCG (Trading Card Game)
- Pokemon VGC (Video Game Championships)
- Pokemon GO
- Pokemon UNITE
Regional championships serve as the primary source for Championship Point acquisition, featuring large-scale events attracting approximately 1,000 competitors across North America, Europe, and international locations. These tournaments organize participants into three competitive divisions:
- Junior Division: Born 2011 or later
- Senior Division: Born 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010
- Masters Division: Born 2006 or earlier
Understanding the qualification system is fundamental for competitive success. Championship Points accumulate throughout the season, with higher placements at major tournaments yielding significantly more points toward World Championship qualification.
Competitors and enthusiasts should prepare for an intensive 2023 competitive season, particularly for TCG specialists. While VGC participants await tournaments beginning in 2023, TCG regionals commence as early as next month. Below is the comprehensive North American tournament calendar:
| Date | Location | Game(s) |
| September 16–18, 2022 | Baltimore Regional ChampionshipsBaltimore Convention Center1 W Pratt StBaltimore, MD 21201, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| September 29–October 2, 2022 | Peoria Regional ChampionshipsPeoria Civic Center201 SW Jefferson Ave, Peoria, IL 61602 | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| October 14–16, 2022 | Salt Lake City Regional ChampionshipsSalt Palace Convention Center100 S W Temple StSalt Lake City, UT 84101, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| December 2–4, 2022 | Toronto Regional ChampionshipsThe Enercare Centre100 Princes’ Blvd Unit 1, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Canada | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| December 16–18, 2022 | Arlington Regional ChampionshipsArlington Convention Center1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| January 6–8, 2023 | San Diego Regional ChampionshipsSan Diego Convention Center111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| February 3–5, 2023 | Florida Regional ChampionshipsOrange County Convention Center9400 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GOVGC |
| February 24–26, 2023 | Knoxville Regional ChampionshipsKnoxville Convention Center701 Henley St, Knoxville, TN 37902, USA | Pokémon TCGPokémon GO VGC |
| March 10–12, 2023 | Vancouver Regional ChampionshipsVancouver Convention Center1055 Canada Pl, Vancouver, BC V6C 0C3, Canada | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| March 24–26, 2023 | Charlotte Regional ChampionshipsCharlotte Convention Center501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| March 31–April 2, 2023 | Fort Wayne Regional ChampionshipsThe Grand Wayne ConventionCenter 120 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| May 5–7, 2023 | Portland Regional ChampionshipsOregon Convention Center777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| May 19–21, 2023 | Hartford Regional ChampionshipsConnecticut Convention Center100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| June 16–18, 2023 | Wisconsin Regional ChampionshipsThe Wisconsin Center400 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203, USA | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
Strategic planning for the North American circuit requires understanding regional distribution and timing. Early season events focus primarily on TCG and Pokemon GO, while VGC integration begins in January 2023, creating distinct preparation phases for different game formats.
The European tournament circuit offers competitive opportunities across diverse locations, providing international experience for players seeking global recognition. Here is the detailed European regional schedule:
| Date | Location | Game(s) |
| September 17–18, 2022 | Bilbao Special EventBilbao Exhibition CentreAzkue Kalea, 1, 48902 Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| October 22–23, 2022 | Lille Regional ChampionshipsLille Grand Palais1 Bd des Cités Unies, 59777 Lille, France | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| November 12–13, 2022 | Warsaw Regional ChampionshipsExpo XXIIgnacego Prądzyńskiego 12/14, 01-222 Warsaw, Poland | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| December 3–4, 2022 | Stuttgart Regional ChampionshipsICS International Congress Center StuttgartLandesmesse Stuttgart GmbH, Messepiazza 1, 70629 Stuttgart, Germany | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO |
| January 21–22, 2023 | Liverpool Regional ChampionshipsACC LiverpoolKing’s Dock, Port of Liverpool, Kings Dock St, Liverpool L3 4FP, UK | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| February 25–26, 2023 | Bochum Regional ChampionshipsRuhrCongress BochumStadionring 20, 44791 Bochum, Germany | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| March 18–19, 2023 | Utrecht Special EventJaarbeursJaarbeursplein, 3521 AL Utrecht, Netherlands | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
| May 20–21, 2023 | Malmö Regional ChampionshipsMalmöMässan Exhibition & Congress CenterMässgatan 6, 215 32 Malmö, Sweden | Pokémon TCG Pokémon GO VGC |
Additional Latin American regionals and international tournaments complement the global schedule. Players should monitor official announcements for additional regional dates as the season progresses.
The 2023 Pokemon World Championship venue and dates remain undisclosed at this time, maintaining anticipation throughout the qualification season.
Success in the Pokemon Championship Series requires more than just tournament attendance—it demands strategic preparation and game mastery. Top competitors employ systematic approaches to maximize their qualification chances.
Deck Building Optimization: Construct versatile decks that can handle multiple matchups. Focus on consistency over gimmicky strategies, ensuring your deck performs reliably across different opponents. Consider meta-game trends when selecting your strategy, but don’t blindly follow popular decks without understanding their strengths and weaknesses.
Tournament Preparation Timeline: Begin testing new decks at least 4-6 weeks before major events. Practice against diverse archetypes to prepare for unexpected matchups. Allocate sufficient time for travel arrangements and accommodation booking, as popular tournaments often see limited availability.
Common Competitive Mistakes:
- Over-committing to one strategy – Maintain flexibility to adapt to meta shifts
- Poor time management – Practice playing within time constraints
- Inadequate sideboard planning – Prepare specific answers for problematic matchups
- Neglecting local tournaments – Use smaller events to test and refine strategies
Advanced Player Tips: Study tournament results to identify emerging trends. Network with other competitive players to exchange insights and testing results. Maintain detailed records of match performances to identify patterns and improvement areas.
For comprehensive competitive guidance, explore our Battlefield 6 Complete Guide for additional strategic frameworks applicable across competitive gaming formats.
Action Checklist
- Review the complete regional schedule and identify target tournaments based on location and timing
- Develop and test competitive decks against diverse matchups
- Practice tournament pacing by playing timed matches with sideboarding
- Research meta-game trends and adjust strategies accordingly
- Coordinate travel and accommodation for target regional tournaments
- Track Championship Point progression and adjust tournament selection as needed
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