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The '''Pokémon World Championships''' are an annual event staged by the [[Play! Pokémon]] organized play division of [[The Pokémon Company International]] (formerly known as Pokémon USA).  As part of taking over the licensing of the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|Trading Card Game]] from [[Wizards of the Coast]], a division of [[Hasbro]], the first World Championships were staged in 2004.
{{samename|{{pkmn|anime}} competition known as the "Pokémon World Championships" in Japanese|World Coronation Series}}
[[File:Pokémon World Championships logo.png|thumb|250px|Logo]]
The '''Pokémon World Championships''' (Japanese: '''ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス''' ''Pokémon World Championships'') are an annual event held by the [[Play! Pokémon]] organized play division of [[The Pokémon Company International]]. They function as the finals for both the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] and [[Core series|Video Game]] Championships. Since 2015, the World Championships have also featured events for [[spin-off Pokémon games]], namely [[Pokkén Tournament]], [[Pokémon GO]], and [[Pokémon UNITE]]. The Pokémon World Championships are held annually, occurring every August.


An annual invitational-only event held in August of a given year, players are chosen on overall ratings, national champions and past performances in the previous year's World Championships.  
Competitors usually must qualify for the event based in their performance in other events in the same season, such as regional championships, national championships, dedicated qualifying tournaments, or the previous year's World Championships. The exact qualification requirements depend on the exact year, the region the player is from, and the game in which they are playing.
 
While the Pokémon World Championships are held as a single unified event featuring multiple different games, each of the games are run as an entirely separate tournament. Competitors compete in only one of the featured games, and the qualification requirements of each are entirely separate. Additionally, competitors usually are separated into one of three age groups, meaning that three world champions are crowned for each game each year.
 
Minor announcements are usually made during the events, such as upcoming VGC mechanics and variants of TCG cards, the ruleset of the following VGC format, and the city where the next World Championships will be hosted.
 
==History==
===Predecessors===
Before the introduction of the modern Pokémon World Championships, both the TCG and video games held some international competitions.
 
For the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the [[Pokémon Tropical Mega Battle]] was an international Pokémon Trading Card Game tournament held annually from 1999 to 2002 in Hawaii by [[Wizards of the Coast]] (the distributor of the Pokémon Trading Card Game in many regions outside of Japan at the time). Players from Canada, Latin America, Europe, the United States, and Japan were invited to the event. After Wizards of the Coast's license to distribute the Pokémon Trading Card Game reverted to The Pokémon Company in 2003, this event was replaced by the Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships.
 
In September 2000, to coincide with the {{wp|2000 Summer Olympics}} in Sydney, Australia, the [[2000 World Championships|first ever Pokémon World Championship]] was also held in Sydney. Players from Australia, Belgium, {{pmin|France}}, {{pmin|Germany}}, {{pmin|the Netherlands}}, {{pmin|Spain}}, {{pmin|the United Kingdom}}, and {{pmin|the United States}} competed using {{game|Red and Blue|s}} and {{game|Yellow}}. This was a one-time event, with a video game World Championship not being held again until 2009.
 
===Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships===
In August 2002, Wizards of the Coast held the [[2002 World Championships (TCG)|first Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championship]] in Seattle, Washington in the United States.<ref>[https://indexarticles.com/business/business-wire/first-ever-pokemon-trading-card-game-world-champion-titles-won-by-dylan-austin-14-of-ann-arbor-michigan-and-mindy-lambkee-10-of-kent-washington/ First-Ever Pokemon Trading Card Game World Champion Titles Won by Dylan Austin, 14 of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Mindy Lambkee, 10 of Kent, Washington]</ref>
 
Due to the transfer of the licensing of the Pokémon Trading Card Game from Wizards to Nintendo, no World Championship was held in 2003. Now with control of the Pokémon Trading Card Game licence, [[Pokémon USA]] formed [[Pokémon Organized Play]] to manage Pokémon Trading Card Game events.
 
In August 2004, Pokémon Organized Play held the {{TCG|2004 World Championships|2004 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships}}. From 2004 to 2008, the event was titled the Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships, reflecting the fact that it was specifically for the Pokémon Trading Card Game only.
 
At the {{TCG|2008 World Championships|2008 Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships}}, a special video game event called the [[Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008]] was held. This event featured players from the United States and Japan competing with {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}. However, since only two countries were involved, the winner was not awarded the title of world champion.
 
===Pokémon World Championships===
In August 2009, the first unified Pokémon World Championships were held, featuring both the Pokémon Trading Card Game and the Pokémon Video Game Championships. This format has continued until the present.
 
From 2015 to 2022, [[Pokkén Tournament]] was also featured at the Pokémon World Championships. In 2015, the Pokkén Tournament competition was run as an invitational due to the lack of preliminary events. After the 2022 World Championships, it was announced that Pokkén Tournament would no longer appear at the Pokémon World Championships.
 
Starting in 2019, [[Pokémon GO]] was added to the Pokémon World Championships. In 2019, the Pokémon GO competition was run as an invitational due to the lack of preliminary events.
 
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the planned 2020 Pokémon World Championships to be held in London, England were cancelled, and the event also was not held in 2021. The World Championships returned with the [[2022 World Championships|2022 Pokémon World Championships]], held in London, England like the original 2020 plan.
 
Starting in 2022, [[Pokémon UNITE]] was added to the Pokémon World Championships.
 
==Events==
Since 2004, the Pokémon World Championships have been held annually, except in 2020 and 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].
 
{| class="roundtable" style="background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}"
! Year
! Dates
! Venue
! City
! Region
! Country
! Games
|-
| [[2000 World Championships|2000]]
| September 22, 2000
| {{wp|University of Sydney}}
| Sydney || New South Wales || [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Australia
| VGC<!--technically VGC didn't exist yet, but unless we list the specific VGC games in this table, this seems to be the clearest way to display it-->
|-
| [[2002 World Championships (TCG)|2002]]
| August 3 to 4, 2002
| {{wp|Seattle Convention Center}}
| Seattle || Washington || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2004 World Championships (TCG)|2004]]
| August 20 to 22, 2004
| {{wp|Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa}}
| Orlando || Florida || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2005 World Championships (TCG)|2005]]
| August 19 to 21, 2005
| Town and Country Resort and Convention Center
| San Diego || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2006 World Championships (TCG)|2006]]
| August 18 to 20, 2006
| {{wp|Hilton Anaheim}}
| Anaheim || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2007 World Championships (TCG)|2007]]
| August 10 to 12, 2007
| {{wp|Hilton Waikoloa Village}}
| Waikoloa Village || Hawaii || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2008 World Championships (TCG)|2008]]
| August 15 to 17, 2008
| {{wp|Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista}}
| Orlando || Florida || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG
|-
| [[2009 World Championships|2009]]
| August 13 to 15, 2009
| {{wp|Hilton San Diego Bayfront}}
| San Diego || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2010 World Championships|2010]]
| August 13 to 15, 2010
| {{wp|Hilton Waikoloa Village}}
| Waikoloa Village || Hawaii || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2011 World Championships|2011]]
| August 12 to 14, 2011
| {{wp|Hilton San Diego Bayfront}}
| San Diego || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2012 World Championships|2012]]
| August 13 to 15, 2012
| {{wp|Hilton Waikoloa Village}}
| Waikoloa Village || Hawaii || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2013 World Championships|2013]]
| August 9 to 11, 2013
| {{wp|Vancouver Convention Centre}}
| Vancouver || British Columbia || [[File:Canada Flag.png|20px]] Canada
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2014 World Championships|2014]]
| August 15 to 17, 2014
| {{wp|Walter E. Washington Convention Center}}
| colspan=2 | Washington, D.C. || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC
|-
| [[2015 World Championships|2015]]
| August 21 to 23, 2015
| {{wp|Hynes Convention Center}}
| Boston || Massachusetts || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén
|-
| [[2016 World Championships|2016]]
| August 19 to 21, 2016
| {{wp|San Francisco Marriott Marquis}}
| San Francisco || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén
|-
| [[2017 World Championships|2017]]
| August 18 to 20, 2017
| {{wp|Anaheim Convention Center}}
| Anaheim || California || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén
|-
| [[2018 World Championships|2018]]
| August 24 to 26, 2018
| {{wp|Music City Center}}
| Nashville || Tennessee || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén
|-
| [[2019 World Championships|2019]]
| August 16 to 19, 2019
| {{wp|Walter E. Washington Convention Center}}
| colspan=2 | Washington, D.C. || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén, GO
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| August 18 to 21, 2022
| {{wp|ExCeL London}}
| London || England || [[File:United Kingdom Flag.png|20px]] United Kingdom
| TCG, VGC, Pokkén, GO, UNITE
|-
| [[2023 World Championships|2023]]
| August 11 to 13, 2023
| {{wp|Pacifico Yokohama}}
| Yokohama || Kanagawa || [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Japan
| TCG, VGC, GO, UNITE
|-
| [[2024 World Championships|2024]]
| ''TBA''
| ''TBA''
| Honolulu || Hawaii || [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] United States
| ''TBA''
|}
 
==Video Game Championship==
The [[core series]] Pokémon games were first featured at a Nintendo-organized World Championship event in 2000 with single battles, and later returning as [[Pokémon Video Game Showdown]] (VGS) in 2008 as a side-event to the [[2008 World Championships (TCG)|2008 Trading Card Game World Championships]] with double battles. Starting in 2009, the events were renamed the Video Game Championships (VGC).
 
Battles [[Rule variants|use the following rules]] in general:
* The format is [[Double Battle]]s. A player must bring between 4 and 6 Pokémon and select 4 of them just before the battle. In games that use Team Preview ([[Generation V]] onward), this selection is made after viewing the opponent's 6 Pokémon.
* Two Pokémon may not have the same Pokédex number. [[Special Pokémon]], [[Mythical Pokémon]], and [[Ash-Greninja]] are disallowed (but not Dusk Form {{p|Lycanroc}}) unless the format has an exception.
** The [[Soul Dew]] was disallowed until [[Generation VII]], where its effect changed.
** {{pkmn2|Event}}-exclusive [[Event Pokémon#Event-exclusive moves|moves]] and [[event item|items]] are allowed unless the format explicitly says otherwise.
* Between [[Generation VI]] and [[Generation VIII]], Pokémon must have an [[origin mark]] matching the games used for the competition. This may be substituted with the [[battle-ready symbol]].
* Two Pokémon may not have the same [[held item]].
* Pokémon cannot battle above level 50.
** In 2008 and 2009, there was no auto-leveling and Pokémon above level 50 were disallowed outright.
** Between 2010 and 2016, Pokémon above level 50 were auto-leveled down to 50, but Pokémon below level 50 were not auto-leveled up.
** From 2017 onward, all Pokémon are auto-leveled to 50.
* Two Pokémon may not have the same nickname. A Pokémon may not be nicknamed the name of a different Pokémon, and nicknames and Trainer names may not be inappropriate.
 
===Year-specific formats===
* '''[[Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008|2008]]''' — {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}
** For this year only, players were only allowed to bring exactly 4 Pokémon, instead of bringing 6 and choosing 4 just before the battle.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080701040211/http://showdown.pokemon.com/rules/qualifier_rules.xhtml Rules- 2008 Pokémon Video Game Showdown Qualifier Regulations] - Pokémon.com</ref>
** {{p|Dragonite}} and {{p|Tyranitar}} were specifically disallowed, preventing players from using the (at the time) Japan-exclusive level 50 Dragonite event. (It was not possible to obtain Tyranitar at or below level 50 until a [[Generation VI]] event.)
** The Japan-only (at the time) [[Micle Berry]], [[Custap Berry]], and {{m|Sketch}}ing {{m|Seed Flare}} were disallowed.
* '''[[2009 World Championships|2009]]''' — {{game|Platinum}}
** Event-exclusive level 50 Dragonite were allowed this year.
** All forms of {{p|Rotom}}, including the normal form, were disallowed.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090412160033/http://origin.pokemonvgc.com/en/rules/rrg.html Pokémon Video Game Championships 2009 - Rules and Regulations] - PokémonVGC.com</ref>
** The Japan-only (at the time) [[Jaboca Berry]], [[Rowap Berry]], and Sketching {{m|Judgment}} were disallowed. The Custap Berry was also disallowed.
*** The Custap Berry had not yet been distributed to French, German, Italian, or Spanish-language games at the time, though the level 50 Dragonite event was also never distributed in these languages.
* '''[[2010 World Championships|2010]]''' — {{game|HeartGold and SoulSilver|s}}
** Up to two [[Special Pokémon]] were allowed. Uniquely for this year, a player's team of 6 could list up to 4 Special Pokémon, as long as no more than 2 were chosen before battle.
** The Jaboca Berry was allowed this year despite still being Japan-only at the time.
* '''[[2011 World Championships|2011]]''' — {{game|Black and White|s}}
** Only [[Udex|Unova Pokédex]] Pokémon were allowed. {{m|Sky Drop}} was disallowed due to the [[Sky Drop glitch]].
** ({{p|Zorua}} and {{p|Zoroark}} were allowed both this year and in 2012 despite being event-exclusive at the time, due to not being Mythical).
* '''[[2012 World Championships|2012]]''' — {{game|Black and White|s}}
** Sky Drop and {{m|Dark Void}} were both disallowed.
* '''[[2013 World Championships|2013]]''' — {{B2W2}}
** Sky Drop and {{m|Dark Void}} were both disallowed.
** {{p|Chatot}} was disallowed (for only this year).<ref>[https://assets.pokemon.com/assets/cms/pdf/op/tournaments/2012/pokemon_tournament_rules_11_1_2011.pdf Pokémon Organized Play Tournament Rules] - Revised: November 01, 2011 - Pokémon.com</ref><ref>[https://assets.pokemon.com/assets/cms/pdf/op/tournaments/2013/Play_Pokemon_VG_Rules_and_Formats.pdf Play! Pokémon VG Tournament Rules & Formats] - Revised: February 4, 2013 - Pokémon.com</ref>
* '''[[2014 World Championships|2014]]''' — {{g|X and Y}}
** Only [[List of Pokémon by Kalos Pokédex number|Kalos Pokédex]] Pokémon were allowed. Dark Void once again became allowed.
* '''[[2015 World Championships|2015]]''' — {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}
* '''[[2016 World Championships|2016]]''' — {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}
** Up to two Special Pokémon were allowed in a team of six.
* '''[[2017 World Championships|2017]]''' — {{g|Sun and Moon}}
** Only [[Adex|Alola Pokédex]] Pokémon were allowed. Kantonian form counterparts to [[Alolan form]]s were '''not''' considered to be part of the Alola Pokédex. [[Mega Stone]]s were disallowed.
* '''[[2018 World Championships|2018]]''' — {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}
* '''[[2019 World Championships|2019]]''' — {{g|Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon}}
** Up to two Special Pokémon were allowed. In addition, the season was split into three series:
*** Sun Series (Sep 4, 2018 - Jan 7, 2019): Mega Stones, [[Primal Reversion]], {{p|Rayquaza}} with {{m|Dragon Ascent}}, and [[Z-Crystal]]s were disallowed.
*** Moon Series (Jan 8 - Apr 1, 2019): Z-Crystals other than [[Ultranecrozium Z]] became allowed.
*** Ultra Series (Apr 2, 2019 - Jan 3, 2020): All Mega Evolution, Primal Reversion, and Z-Moves became allowed.
* '''[[2022 World Championships|2022]]''' — {{g|Sword and Shield}}
** Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the 2020 and 2021 World Championships were canceled and the season was eventually extended to last three years with several different series.
** All Pokémon that were obtainable at the beginning of a series were allowed for that series, including those [[List of Pokémon by Galar Pokédex number#Compatible Pokémon not in any Galar Pokédex|not in any of the Galar Pokédexes]], as long as they met all other requirements (such as having the [[Galar symbol]]/[[battle-ready symbol]] and not being Special/Mythical). As a result:
*** Version 1.1.0 and [[Pokémon HOME]] released before Series 3, [[The Isle of Armor]] released before Series 5, and [[The Crown Tundra]] released before Series 7.
*** Between Series 1 and 2, only [[Gdex|Galar Pokédex]] Pokémon were allowed due to the only obtainable Pokémon outside the Galar Pokédex being {{p|Mew}}. The only non-Galarian forms allowed were Kantonian {{p|Meowth}}, {{p|Persian}}, {{p|Mr. Mime}}, and Unovan {{p|Yamask}} due to those being the only obtainable ones at the time.
*** Between Series 3 and 4, all non-Galarian forms of compatible Pokémon were allowed except three: Alolan {{p|Raichu}} and Kantonian {{p|Weezing}} were not obtainable with the Galar symbol at the time, and Kantonian {{p|Slowpoke}} was not compatible with Sword and Shield at the time (only Galarian Slowpoke was). {{p|Cobalion}}, {{p|Terrakion}}, and {{p|Virizion}} were compatible but disallowed due to the battle-ready symbol not existing at the time.
** List of series:
*** Series 1 (Nov 19 - Dec 31, 2019): All [[Gigantamax]] Pokémon were disallowed.
*** Series 2 (Jan 4 - Feb 29, 2020): Gigantamax Pikachu, Eevee, Butterfree, Drednaw, Corviknight, Sandaconda, Centiskorch, {{a|Blaze}} Charizard, Meowth (event-only), and Snorlax (event-only) became allowed.
*** Series 3 (Mar 1 - Apr 30, 2020): Gigantamax Coalossal, Lapras, Flapple, Appletun, Alcremie, Kingler, Orbeetle, Grimmsnarl, Hatterene, {{a|Solar Power}} Charizard, and Toxtricity (event-only) became allowed.
*** Series 4 (May 1 - Jun 30, 2020): All Gigantamax Pokémon became allowed (the remaining five at the time being Machamp, Gengar, Garbodor, Copperajah, and Duraludon).
*** Series 5 (Jul 1 - Aug 31, 2020)
*** Series 6 (Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2020): The most used Pokémon from the previous series were disallowed: Venusaur, Gyarados, Porygon2, Tyranitar, Torkoal, Hippowdon, Magnezone, Togekiss, Excadrill, Whimsicott, Incineroar, Mimikyu, Rillaboom, Cinderace, Indeedee, and Dragapult.
*** Series 7 (Nov 1, 2020 - Jan 31, 2021): The above 16 Pokémon became re-allowed.
*** Series 8 (Feb 1 - Apr 30, 2021): Up to one Special Pokémon was allowed.
*** Series 9 (May 1 - Jul 31, 2021): No Special Pokémon were allowed. (identical to Series 7)
*** Series 10 (Aug 1 - Oct 31, 2021): Up to one Special Pokémon was allowed. [[Dynamax]] and Gigantamax were disallowed.
*** Series 11 (Nov 1, 2021 - Jan 31, 2022): Up to one Special Pokémon was allowed. Dynamax and Gigantamax became re-allowed. (identical to Series 8)
*** Series 12 (Feb 1 - Aug 31, 2022): Up to two Special Pokémon were allowed.
*** Series 13 (Sep 1 - Oct 31, 2022): Any number of Special Pokémon and any number of Mythical Pokémon were allowed. VGC events taking place during this time period count toward the next year's Championships.<ref>[https://victoryroadvgc.com/2023-season/ 2023 Play! Pokémon Season Structure] - By Alberto Núñez, VictoryRoadVGC.com, September 1, 2022.</ref>
*** Series 14 (Nov 1 - Dec 31, 2022): Up to two Special Pokémon were allowed. Mythical Pokémon were disallowed. (identical to Series 12)
* '''[[2023 World Championships|2023]]''' — {{g|Scarlet and Violet}}
** Both players must disclose their team to their opponent (including Tera Type, species, forms, moves, Abilities, and held items, but excluding stats).
** On March 1, 2023, series were renamed Regulation Sets ('''レギュレーション''' ''Regulations''), with Series 1 and Series 2 retroactively renamed. The season was split into the following series:
*** Regulation Set A (Dec 2, 2022 - Jan 31, 2023):<ref>[https://victoryroadvgc.com/2023-tainan/ 2023 Tainan Regionals] - By Alberto Núñez, VictoryRoadVGC.com, December 1, 2022.</ref> Only Pokémon in the [[Pdex|Paldea Pokédex]] were allowed. Pokémon and regional forms not in the Paldea Pokédex, such as {{p|Quagsire}} and Johtonian {{p|Wooper}}, were disallowed. [[Paradox Pokémon]] and the [[treasures of ruin]] were also disallowed.
*** Regulation Set B (Feb 1 - Mar 31, 2023): Paradox Pokémon became allowed.
*** Regulation Set C (Apr 1 - Jun 30, 2023): The treasures of ruin became allowed.
**** Prior to the release of [[Pokémon HOME]] compatibility, the Japanese and Chinese rulesets consistently stated (for all three regulation sets) that a Scarlet and Violet origin mark was required,<ref>https://sv-news.pokemon.co.jp/ja/page/36.html</ref><ref>https://sv-news.pokemon.co.jp/tc/page/36.html</ref> while the English/French/Italian/German/Spanish rulesets consistently stated (for all three regulation sets) that Pokémon transferred from HOME would become allowed when the feature was released.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230528124948/https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-vg-rules-formats-and-penalty-guidelines-03252023-en.pdf</ref> (No ruleset was published in Korean due to all Korean Scarlet/Violet tournaments up to that point being conducted online.)
**** When HOME compatibility was released, the English/French/Italian/German/Spanish ruleset was changed to state that a Scarlet and Violet origin mark was required for the rest of the series (with the only competitive effect being to disallow Roaming Form [[Gimmighoul]]).
**** Regardless of these regional inconsistencies and changes, the HOME update also caused [[Plate]]s and six certain [[Egg Move]]s ({{m|Heal Bell}}, {{m|Simple Beam}}, {{m|Cosmic Power}}, {{m|Raging Fury}}, {{m|Barb Barrage}}, and {{m|Psyshield Bash}}<ref>https://sv-news.pokemon.co.jp/ja/page/114.html</ref>) to become newly available and allowed immediately in all regions, at approximately 4pm JST May 30.
**** Players competing in events in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Hong Kong between June 3–4, who were required to lock in their teams by 9am May 31, were sent an email at 11:10pm May 30 stating that the newly available Plates and Egg Moves would be disallowed for those events.<ref>[https://victoryroadvgc.com/2023-singapore/ 2023 Singapore National Championships] - By Alberto Núñez, VictoryRoadVGC.com, April 28, 2023.</ref> Players competing in Japan between June 10–11 were sent a similar email on June 1. Events in other locations on the same days were unaffected and Plates/the Egg Moves were allowed.
*** Regulation Set D (Jul 1 - Sep 30, 2023): Pokémon and forms outside the Paldea Pokédex became allowed, except [[Walking Wake]] and [[Iron Leaves]].
**** Before the release of [[The Teal Mask]] on September 13, a "Temporary Post-Release Restriction Clause" was added to the ruleset disallowing any traits exclusive to The Teal Mask for the rest of the series (Pokémon, forms, moves, and items), such as the [[Kee Berry]]. (For example, this applied to the Curitiba Regionals in Brazil on September 23–24.<ref>https://victoryroadvgc.com/2024-curitiba/</ref>)
*** Regulation Set E (Oct 1, 2023 - Jan 3, 2024): Pokémon in the [[List of Pokémon by Kitakami Pokédex number|Kitakami Pokédex]] and Pokémon made [[List of Pokémon by Paldea Pokédex number#Since Version 2.0.1|available]] in the 2.0.1 update became allowed.
**** Before the release of [[The Indigo Disk]] on December 14, a "Temporary Post-Release Restriction Clause" was added to the ruleset disallowing any traits exclusive to The Indigo Disk for the rest of the series (Pokémon, moves, items, and the [[Stellar]] Tera Type). (For example, this applied to the San Antonio Regionals on December 16–17.<ref>https://victoryroadvgc.com/2024-san-antonio/</ref>)
*** Regulation Set F (Jan 4 - Apr 30, 2024): Pokémon in the [[BBdex|Blueberry Pokédex]] and Pokémon made [[List of Pokémon by Paldea Pokédex number#Since Version 3.0.0|available]] in the 3.0.0 update became allowed, including {{p|Walking Wake}} and {{p|Iron Leaves}}.
*** Regulation Set G (May 1 - Aug 31, 2024): Up to one Special Pokémon was allowed.
 
When series may overlap at the start or end of a year, events may use either of the two formats. For example, the Korean League Season 1 on December 15–16, 2019 used 2020 Series 1 rules, while the Kuala Lumpur Regionals on December 21–22, 2019 used 2019 Ultra Series rules.<ref>[https://victoryroadvgc.com/2020-season-events/ Pokémon VGC events for the 2020 Season] - By Victory Road, VictoryRoadVGC.com, September 6, 2019.</ref>
 
===Broadcasting===
* In 2008, for at least the semifinals onward, players connected their [[Nintendo DS]]es to a modified, unreleased version of [[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]. The modified game featured a unique remix of ''Battle! (Team Galactic Boss)'' seemingly arranged for the event, as well as no region- or language-locking.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd-KigvdnzM Pokemon TCG Worlds 2008: VG Showdown Juniors Final] - YouTube.com</ref> No Battle Revolution-specific clauses were set.
* In 2009, for at least the semifinals onward, players connected their Nintendo DSes to a modified, unreleased version of Pokémon Battle Revolution. The modified game featured Platinum outfits for {{ga|Dawn}} and {{ga|Lucas}} as well as no region- or language-locking.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICRdjvaUQM8 571 - The VGC 2009 Battle Revolution Platinum mystery + LIVE! Shiny Rotom after 20,948 SRs!] - YouTube.com</ref>
* Between 2010 and 2019, only the top screen of the Nintendo DS or [[Nintendo 3DS]] was broadcast in order to prevent revealing a player's move selections.
* From 2022 onward, a third console is connected to the two competitors' consoles in LAN spectator mode in order to prevent revealing a player's move selections (for western tournaments in [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]], the game is displayed from the perspective of one player's console, but Asian tournaments and the top 16 in the 2023 World Championships used the spectator mode).
 
===World Champions===
As of the 2023 season, 45 champions have been crowned during the core series games' tenure as one of the games in the World Championships roster, with Ray Rizzo being the most successful, winning the title three times.
 
{| class="roundtable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center; background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}" cellpadding="5px"
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Year
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | City
! style="background: #DAA520" | 1st
! style="background: #C0C0C0" | 2nd
! style="background: #C96000" | 3rd
|-
| 2000
| Sydney, Australia
| [[File:United Kingdom Flag.png|20px]] Darryn Van Vuuren
| [[File:Germany Flag.png|20px]] Edwin Krause
| [[File:Spain Flag.png|20px]] Sergio García Maroto
|-
| [[Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008|2008]]
| Orlando, Florida
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Izuru Yoshimura
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Yasuhito Kajiwara
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Chris Halordain Tsai
|-
| [[2009 World Championships|2009]]
| San Diego, California
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Kazuyuki Tsuji
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Tasuku Mano
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Grace Beck
|-
| [[2010 World Championships|2010]]
| Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Ray Rizzo
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Yasuki Tochigi
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Isao Yoshioka
|-
| [[2011 World Championships|2011]]
| San Diego, California
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Ray Rizzo
| [[File:Italy Flag.png|20px]] Matteo Gini
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Matt Coyle
|-
| [[2012 World Championships|2012]]
| Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Ray Rizzo
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Wolfe Glick
| [[File:Spain Flag.png|20px]] Abel Martin Sanz
|-
| [[2013 World Championships|2013]]
| Vancouver, Canada
| [[File:Italy Flag.png|20px]] Arash Ommati
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Ryosuke Kosuge
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Aaron Zheng
|-
| [[2014 World Championships|2014]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File:South Korea Flag.png|20px]] Se Jun Park
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jeudy Azzarelli
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Collin Heier
|-
| [[2015 World Championships|2015]]
| Boston, Massachusetts
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Shoma Honami
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Hideyuki Taida
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Yosuke Isagi
|-
| [[2016 World Championships|2016]]
| San Francisco, California
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Wolfe Glick
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jonathan Evans
| [[File:Germany Flag.png|20px]] Markus Stadter
|-
| [[2017 World Championships|2017]]
| Anaheim, California
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Ryota Otsubo
| [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Sam Pandelis
| [[File:Ecuador Flag.png|20px]] Paul Ruiz
|-
| [[2018 World Championships|2018]]
| Nashville, Tennessee
| [[File:Ecuador Flag.png|20px]] Paul Ruiz
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Emilio Forbes
| [[File:Sweden Flag.png|20px]] Nils Dunlop
|-
| [[2019 World Championships|2019]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Naoto Mizobuchi
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Hirofumi Kimura
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] James Baek
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| London, UK
| [[File:Portugal Flag.png|20px]] Eduardo Cunha
| [[File:Spain Flag.png|20px]] Guillermo Castilla Díaz
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] James Baek
|-
| [[2023 World Championships|2023]]
| Yokohama, Japan
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Shohei Kimura
| [[File:Germany Flag.png|20px]] Michael Kelsch
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Mao Harada
|}
 
===In the games===
====In-game effects====
Starting from [[Pokémon Video Game Showdown 2008]] (and excluding VGC 2010), aesthetic changes are made to the link battle arena during the World Championships. These tend to come in the form of a unique battle background made specifically for the event, but can also change the music, either by using a track unique to the World Championships (such as ''Pokémon World Championships Final'', used from [[Generation V]] to [[Generation VII]]) or by locking music selection to a pre-existing track.
 
{| class="roundy" style="margin:auto; background: #{{Pokémon color dark}}; border: 3px solid #{{Pokémon color}}"
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Year
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; {{roundytl|5px}}" | Game
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; | Arena
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}; | Picture
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}" | Music
! style="background:#{{Pokémon color light}}" | Differences
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[Pokémon Video Game Showdown|VGS '08]]
|  rowspan=2 | {{gameabbrevss|PBR}}
|  [[Sunset Colosseum]]
|  [[File:Sunset Colosseum PBR.png|150px]]
|  Orchestral arrangement of ''Battle! ([[Cyrus|Team Galactic Boss]])'' from {{g|Diamond and Pearl}}
|  Unique build of Pokémon Battle Revolution that featured a new arrangement of ''Battle! (Team Galactic Boss)'' that appears to have been made specifically for Pokémon Video Game Showdown '08.<br>Used for at least the semi-finals and finals matches in both Junior and Senior divisions.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2009 World Championships|VGC '09]]
|  [[Waterfall Colosseum]]
|  [[File:Waterfall Colosseum PBR.png|150px]]
|  [[Mysterial]]'s battle theme
|  Unique build of Pokémon Battle Revolution that used the [[Pokémon Platinum Version|Platinum]] designs for [[Lucas (game)|Lucas]] and [[Dawn (game)|Dawn]] during DS Multiplayer which are not present in the retail release of Battle Revolution. Additionally, matches played on this build used the battle track that plays when facing Mysterial in [[Stargazer Colosseum]], which is not usually an available music choice for Waterfall Colosseum. <br>Used for at least the semi-finals and finals matches in both Junior and Senior divisions.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[2011 World Championships|VGC '11]]
|  rowspan=2 | {{gameabbrev5|BW}}
|  rowspan=3 | Link battle room
|  rowspan=3 | [[File:Battle terrain Championships B2W2.png|150px]]
|  rowspan=3 | <p>''Battle! (Trainer)''</p>''Pokémon World Championships Final'' (during finals matches)
|  rowspan=3 | During [[Generation V]] Regional, National and World Championships events, a unique white link battle background was used. The music track used during these battles was typically ''Battle! (Trainer)''; however, the music changes to ''Pokémon World Championships Final'' during each division's final set at the World Championships. This battle background and the track ''Pokémon World Championships Final'' are not used anywhere else in-game with the exception of several special [[Pokémon World Tournament#Download|Download Tournament]] events in {{g|Black 2 and White 2}} based on the World Championships.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[2012 World Championships|VGC '12]]
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[2013 World Championships|VGC '13]]
| {{gameabbrev5|B2W2}}
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2014 World Championships|VGC '14]]
|  {{gameabbrev6|XY}}
|  rowspan=3 | Link battle room
|  [[File:Battle terrain Championships XY.png|150px]]
|  rowspan=3 | <p>''Battle! (Trainer)''{{sup/6|XY}}</p>''Pokémon World Championships Final'' (during finals matches)
|  rowspan=3 | <p>During the 2014 World Championships, a unique rainbow-themed battle background was used. The music track used during the 2014 World Championships battles was typically ''Battle! (Trainer)''; however, the music would change to ''Pokémon World Championships Final'' during each division's final set.</p>A new background was made for {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}} that would be used during the 2015 and 2016 World Championships, this time only being used during each division's final set. It adds dark blue flooring, a spinning globe in the background and multicolored spotlights. Both battle backgrounds and the track ''Pokémon World Championships Final'' are not used anywhere else in-game.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[2015 World Championships|VGC '15]]
| rowspan=2 | {{gameabbrev6|ORAS}}
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Battle terrain Championships ORAS.png|150px]]
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
| [[2016 World Championships|VGC '16]]
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2017 World Championships|VGC '17]]
|  {{gameabbrev7|SM}}
|  rowspan=3 | Link battle room
|  rowspan=3 | [[File:Battle terrain Championships USUM.png|150px]]
|  rowspan=3 | ''Pokémon World Championships Final''
|  rowspan=3 | During each division's final set at [[Generation VII]] World Championships events, a unique battle background with multicolored spotlights and a jumbotron displaying a crown was used. This battle background and the track ''Pokémon World Championships Final'' are not used anywhere else in-game.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2018 World Championships|VGC '18]]
|  rowspan=2 | {{gameabbrev7|USUM}}
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2019 World Championships|VGC '19]]
|-|}
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2022 World Championships|VGC '22]]
|  {{gameabbrev8}}
|  [[Wyndon Stadium]]
|  [[File:Battle Stadium Championships SwSh.png|150px]]
|  ''Battle! ([[Leon|Champion Leon]])''
|  A unique variation of Wyndon Stadium with the World Championships logo present on the advertising boards and a [[Poké Ball (item)|Poké Ball]] displayed on the jumbotron was used during all 2022 World Championships matches. This battle background is not used anywhere else in-game.
In addition, at the start of every game, there is a unique starting animation: when the League Cards of both players are shown, a unique outer space background with the Earth is used instead of the standard battle start background.
|-
|- style="background:#FFF"
|  [[2023 World Championships|VGC '23]]
|  {{gameabbrev9}}
|  [[Mesagoza]]
|  [[File:Mesagoza Championships SV.png|150px]]
|  ''Battle! ([[Nemona|Champion Nemona]])''
|  A festival-themed variation of Mesagoza at night was used during the 2023 World Championships for top 32 onwards, adding fireworks, decorations and a large crowd of spectators, along with unique camera angles that would later be used in all online games from version 2.0.1 of {{g|Scarlet and Violet}} onwards. This battle background is not used anywhere else in-game.
|-
|}
 
====In-game appearances====
In {{B2W2}}, the top four competitors from each division of the Video Game Championships from the [[2012 World Championships]] were featured in the [[World Championships Tournament]]s in the [[Pokémon World Tournament]]. In the [[Generation VI]] games, {{DL|Pokémon X and Y beta|Battle Maison|unused text}} exists for the top three competitors as opponents in the [[Battle Maison]].
 
In {{g|Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire}}, several NPCs at the [[Battle Resort]] mention the Pokémon World Championships.
 
===Trivia===
* It is possible for moves to become {{pkmn2|event}}-exclusive at a World Championship format despite not being event-exclusive normally. For example, {{m|Bounce}} was an event-exclusive move on {{p|Gyarados}} in VGC 2017 only, as it otherwise needs a [[Move Tutor]] to learn Bounce and so could not have the [[black clover]] at the time.
* The Kalos [[first partner Pokémon]] were effectively event-exclusive between 2023 Regulation Sets D and E, due to being unobtainable in any previous Switch game and requiring an old install of [[Pokémon Bank]].
* While event-exclusive Pokémon, moves, and items have been disallowed, event-exclusive [[Hidden Abilities]] have always been allowed.
* The first half of 2020 is the only time that non-event Pokémon have been disallowed because of rarity. Specifically, Gigantamax Pokémon that were rarely available normally in-game did not become allowed until the start of the first [[Wild Area News]] event that temporarily made them more common. This would become moot with the release of The Isle of Armor, which would make all relevant Gigantamax Pokémon available without relying on rarity.
* Between approximately October 2020 and March 2021, at least the English language rulebook mistakenly implied {{p|Regigigas}} was disallowed (by omitting its National Pokédex number from the list of allowed Pokémon that do not have a Galar/Isle of Armor/Crown Tundra Pokédex number).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201027152813/https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-vg-rules-formats-and-penalty-guidelines-10232020-en.pdf Video Game Rules, Formats & Penalty Guidelines] - Date of last revision: October 23, 2020 - Pokémon.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210126052431/https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-vg-rules-formats-and-penalty-guidelines-01252021-en.pdf Video Game Rules, Formats & Penalty Guidelines] - Date of last revision: January 25, 2021 - Pokémon.com</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210511201450/https://assets.pokemon.com/assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-vg-rules-formats-and-penalty-guidelines-03292021-en.pdf Video Game Rules, Formats & Penalty Guidelines] - Date of last revision: March 29, 2021 - Pokémon.com</ref> This was fixed sometime in or before February 2022.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220309173223/https://assets.pokemon.com//assets/cms2/pdf/play-pokemon/rules/play-pokemon-vg-rules-formats-and-penalty-guidelines-02152022-en.pdf Video Game Rules, Formats & Penalty Guidelines] - Date of last revision: February 15, 2022 - Pokémon.com</ref>
* Coincidentally, in the 2022 edition's Masters Division finals for the core series video games, players Eduardo Cunha and Guillermo Castilla Diaz represented the basis of the [[Paldea]] region (the {{wp|Iberian Peninsula}}), the setting of the [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]] games.
* To promote the then-upcoming 2023 World Championsips, the [[Battle Stadium]] within [[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]] had animated fireworks in its home screen and battle preview.


==Trading Card Game==
==Trading Card Game==
The championships are staged over three days with a last chance qualifier (known to players as "The Grinder") on the Friday to fill seats left vacant for various reasons (no travel, local qualifiers) until all seats are filled.  The second day is limited to Swiss Pairings over a set number of rounds, and the top players (16 each in the Junior and Senior Divisions, as well as the top 32 in the Masters division) move onto the Sunday rounds. The format for this final is single elimination, until the finals, which are a best two matches out of three to decide the World Champion.
All Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championship events are staged utilizing that year's {{TCG|Standard format}}.
 
The first World Championships for the TCG was held in 2002 by [[Wizards of the Coast]], while subsequent World Championships, starting 2004, are organized by [[The Pokémon Company International]] through their [[Play! Pokémon]] division.
 
===Year-specific formats===
* '''[[2002 World Championships (TCG)|2002]]''' — {{TCG|Neo Genesis}} to {{TCG|Legendary Collection}}
* '''[[2004 World Championships (TCG)|2004]]''' — {{TCG|Expedition}} to {{TCG|EX Hidden Legends}}
* '''[[2005 World Championships (TCG)|2005]]''' — {{TCG|EX Ruby & Sapphire}} to {{TCG|EX Emerald}}
* '''[[2006 World Championships (TCG)|2006]]''' — {{TCG|EX Hidden Legends}} to {{TCG|EX Holon Phantoms}}
* '''[[2007 World Championships (TCG)|2007]]''' — {{TCG|EX Deoxys}} to {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}}
* '''[[2008 World Championships (TCG)|2008]]''' — {{TCG|EX Holon Phantoms}} to {{TCG|Majestic Dawn}}
* '''[[2009 World Championships|2009]]''' — {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} to {{TCG|Rising Rivals}}
* '''[[2010 World Championships|2010]]''' — {{TCG|Diamond & Pearl}} to {{TCG|Unleashed}}
* '''[[2011 World Championships|2011]]''' — {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} to {{TCG|Black & White}}
* '''[[2012 World Championships|2012]]''' — {{TCG|HeartGold & SoulSilver}} to {{TCG|Dark Explorers}}
* '''[[2013 World Championships|2013]]''' — {{TCG|Black & White}} to {{TCG|Plasma Freeze}}
* '''[[2014 World Championships|2014]]''' — {{TCG|Next Destinies}} to {{TCG|Flashfire}}
* '''[[2015 World Championships|2015]]''' — {{TCG|Boundaries Crossed}} to {{TCG|Roaring Skies}}
* '''[[2016 World Championships|2016]]''' — {{TCG|XY}} to {{TCG|Steam Siege}}
* '''[[2017 World Championships|2017]]''' — {{TCG|Primal Clash}} to {{TCG|Burning Shadows}}
* '''[[2018 World Championships|2018]]''' — {{TCG|BREAKthrough}} to {{TCG|Celestial Storm}}
* '''[[2019 World Championships|2019]]''' — {{TCG|Ultra Prism}} to {{TCG|Unified Minds}}
* '''[[2022 World Championships|2022]]''' — Regulation marks D, E and F; up to {{TCG|Pokémon GO}}
* '''[[2023 World Championships|2023]]''' — Regulation marks E, F and G; up to {{TCG|Paldea Evolved}}
 
===World Champions===
As of 2023, 54 World Champions have been crowned across all three age divisions, with [[Jason Klaczynski]] from the United States being the only player to win the title more than once.
{| class="roundtable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center; background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}" cellpadding="5px"
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Year
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | City
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Masters{{tt|*|Age 15 or higher}}
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Seniors{{tt|*|Age 11 to 14}}
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Juniors{{tt|*|Age 10 or lower}}
|-
| [[2002 World Championships (TCG)|2002]]
| Seattle, WA
| —
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Dylan Austin
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Mindy Lambkee
|-
| [[2004 World Championships (TCG)|2004]]
| Orlando, FL
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Tsuguyoshi Yamato
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Takuya Yoneda
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Hayato Sato
|-
| [[2005 World Championships (TCG)|2005]]
| San Diego, CA
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jeremy Maron
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Stuart Benson
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Curran Hill
|-
| [[2006 World Championships (TCG)|2006]]
| Anaheim, CA
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] [[Jason Klaczynski]]
| [[File:Finland Flag.png|20px]] Miska Saari
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Hiroki Yano
|-
| [[2007 World Championships (TCG)|2007]]
| Waikoloa Village, HI
| [[File:Finland Flag.png|20px]] Tom Roos
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jeremy Scharff-Kim
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] [[Jun Hasebe]]
|-
| [[2008 World Championships (TCG)|2008]]
| Orlando, FL
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jason Klaczynski
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Dylan Lefavour
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Tristan Robinson
|-
| [[2009 World Championships|2009]]
| San Diego, CA
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Stephen Silvestro
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Takuto Itagaki
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Tsubasa Nakamura
|-
| [[2010 World Championships|2010]]
| Waikoloa Village, HI
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Yuta Komatsuda
| [[File:Canada Flag.png|20px]] Jacob Lesage
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Yuka Furusawa
|-
| [[2011 World Championships|2011]]
| San Diego, CA
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] David Cohen
| [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Christopher Kan
| [[File:Brazil Flag.png|20px]] Gustavo Wada
|-
| [[2012 World Championships|2012]]
| Waikoloa Village, HI
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Igor Costa
| [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Chase Moloney
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Shuto Itagaki
|-
| [[2013 World Championships|2013]]
| Vancouver, BC
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jason Klaczynski
| [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Kaiwen Cabbabe
| [[File: The Czech Republic Flag.png|20px]] Ondrej Kujal
|-
| [[2014 World Championships|2014]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File:Canada Flag.png|20px]] Andrew Estrada
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Trent Orndorff
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Haruto Kobayashi
|-
| [[2015 World Championships|2015]]
| Boston, MA
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Jacob Van Wagner
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Patrick Martinez
| [[File:Canada Flag.png|20px]] Rowan Stavenow
|-
| [[2016 World Championships|2016]]
| San Francisco, CA
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Shintaro Ito
| [[File:Denmark Flag.png|20px]] Jesper Eriksen
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Shunto Sadahiro
|-
| [[2017 World Championships|2017]]
| Anaheim, CA
| [[File:Argentina Flag.png|20px]] Diego Cassiraga
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Zachary Bokhari
| [[File:Norway Flag.png|20px]] Tobias Strømdahl
|-
| [[2018 World Championships|2018]]
| Nashville, TN
| [[File:Germany Flag.png|20px]] Robin Schulz
| [[File:Denmark Flag.png|20px]] Magnus Pedersen
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Naohito Inoue
|-
| [[2019 World Championships|2019]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File:Australia Flag.png|20px]] Henry Brand
| [[File:Germany Flag.png|20px]] Kaya Lichtleitner
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Haruki Miyamoto
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| London, UK
| [[File:The Czech Republic Flag.png|20px]] Ondřej Škubal
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Liam Halliburton
| [[File:Japan Flag.png|20px]] Rikuto Ohashi
|-
| [[2023 World Championships|2023]]
| Yokohama, Japan
| [[File:United States Flag.png|20px]] Vance Kelley
| [[File:Brazil Flag.png|20px]] Gabriel Fernandez
| [[File:Taiwan Flag.png|20px]] Shao Tong Yen
|}
 
===World Championship decks===
{{main|World Championships Deck (TCG)}}
World Championship decks are purchasable [[Play! Pokémon|non-tournament-legal]] prints of 60-card decks used by World Championship players.
 
==Pokkén Tournament==
===Games used===
*2015 - [[Pokkén Tournament]] (arcade version, invitational only)
*2016 - Pokkén Tournament
*2017 - Pokkén Tournament
*2018 - Pokkén Tournament DX
*2019 - Pokkén Tournament DX
*2022 - Pokkén Tournament DX


==Video Game==
===World Champions===
The format for the Video Game Championships, first staged in [[2009 World Championships|2009 in San Diego, California]] is virtually the same as the TCG counterparts with winners comprised of those in National tournament play. A Last Chance Qualifier is held on Friday to fill all vacant spots. The most recently released Pokémon game (which will be [[Pokémon Black and White|Black and White]] in 2011) is used for battles. The event is a single elimination format, with the top eight players in the Junior and Senior divisions competing from a list of approved Pokémon by the organizers on Saturday. On Sunday, all eight play in a single elimination event to decide the World Champions.
10 World Champions have been crowned across both age divisions.
{| class="roundtable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center; background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}" cellpadding="5px"
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Year
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | City
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Masters{{tt|*|Age 15 or higher}}
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Seniors{{tt|*|Age 11 to 14}}
|-
| [[2015 World Championships|2015]]
| Boston, MA
| Rip
| —
|-
| [[2016 World Championships|2016]]
| San Francisco, CA
| [[File: Japan Flag.png|20px]] Potetin
| [[File: United States Flag.png|20px]] woomy!gun
|-
| [[2017 World Championships|2017]]
| Anaheim, CA
| [[File: Japan Flag.png|20px]] Tonosama
| —
|-
| [[2018 World Championships|2018]]
| Nashville, TN
| [[File: United States Flag.png|20px]] ThankSwalot
| [[File: Japan Flag.png|20px]] kato
|-
| [[2019 World Championships|2019]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File: Japan Flag.png|20px]] Subutan
| [[File: United States Flag.png|20px]] Ashgreninja1
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| London, UK
| [[File: United States Flag.png|20px]] Shadowcat
| [[File: United Kingdom Flag.png|20px]] Fruitprime
|}


==History==
==Pokémon GO==
===TCG only 2004-2008===
*2019 (invitational only)
* For the 2004 [[Pokémon Trading Card Game|Pokémon TCG]] World Championships, see '''[[2004 World Championships (TCG)]]'''
** [[Junichi Masuda]] and [[Shigeki Morimoto]] were among the exhibition opponents.
* For the 2005 Pokémon TCG World Championships, see '''[[2005 World Championships (TCG)]]'''
*2022
* For the 2006 Pokémon TCG World Championships, see '''[[2006 World Championships (TCG)]]'''
*2023
* For the 2007 Pokémon TCG World Championships, see '''[[2007 World Championships (TCG)]]'''
 
* For the 2008 Pokémon TCG World Championships, see '''[[2008 World Championships (TCG)]]'''
===World Champions===
As of 2023, 5 World Champions have been crowned across both age divisions.
{| class="roundtable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center; background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}" cellpadding="5px"
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Year
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | City
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Masters{{tt|*|Age 15 or higher}}
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Seniors{{tt|*|Age 11 to 14}}
|-
| [[2019 World Championships|2019]]
| Washington, D.C.
| [[File:Canada Flag.png|20px|Canada]] PogoKieng
| —
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| London, UK
| [[File: Germany Flag.png|20px]] DancingRob
| [[File:Switzerland Flag.png|20px|Switzerland]] MEweedle
|-
| [[2023 World Championships|2023]]
| Yokohama, Japan
| [[File: United States Flag.png|20px]] ItsAXN
| —
|}
 
==Pokémon UNITE==
*2022
*2023
 
===World Champions===
As of the 2023 season, 4 champions teams have been crowned.
{| class="roundtable" style="margin: auto; text-align: center; background: #{{water color}}; border: 3px solid #{{water color dark}}" cellpadding="5px"
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | Year
! style="background: #{{water color light}}" | City
! style="background: #DAA520" | 1st
! style="background: #C0C0C0" | 2nd
|-
| [[2022 World Championships|2022]]
| London, UK
| BLVKHVND
| Nouns Esports
|-
| [[2023 World Championships|2023]]
| Yokohama, Japan
| Luminosity Gaming
| OMO Abyssinian
|}
 
==Scheduling and matchups==
{{Outdated|section}}
The Championships are set over three days (four starting with the 2022 event) with a last chance qualifier (known to players as "The Grinder") on the Friday to fill seats left vacant for various reasons (no travel, local qualifiers) until all seats are filled.  The second day is limited to Swiss Pairings over a set number of rounds, and the top players (16 each in the Junior and Senior Divisions, as well as the top 32 in the Masters division) move onto the Sunday rounds.  The format for this final is single elimination, until the finals, which are a best two matches out of three to decide the World Champion.  There are three divisions: Junior (known as the 10 Years Old and Under Division until 2006), Senior (known as the 11 to 14 Year Old Division until 2006) and Masters (called the 15 Years and Older Division until 2006). In 2010, a Last Chance Qualifier was held on Friday to fill all vacant spots. In 2011, a Masters age Division was added to the VGC scene to parallel the TCG.  The event format consists of Swiss rounds, followed by a single elimination tournament. In 2009, the top two advanced to play the finals on Sunday, whereas since 2010, the top eight advance to play in a head-to-head single elimination event to decide the World Champions.
 
==In the anime==
===Main series===
{{main|World Coronation Series}}
In ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', {{Ash}} participated in the Pokémon World Coronation Series ('''Japanese: ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス''' ''Pokémon World Championships''). In ''[[JN132|Partners in Time!]]'', he became the current World Champion by defeating {{an|Leon}} and becoming the latest Monarch.
===Pokémon: Path to the Peak===
The real World Championships was first mentioned in ''[[PTP01|The Club]]''.
 
In ''[[PTP02|Regionals]]'', [[Ava]], [[Ava's father|her father]], and [[Celestine]] participated in the [[Play! Pokémon#Regional Championships|regional]] [[Pokémon TCG]] championship. In the first round of competition, players initially face their opponents based on predetermined matches and the tournament follows with the other participants in the elimination round scheme. The final is held with a best of three between the two finalists.
 
====Notable competitors (Regional)====
[[File:PTP02.png|250px|thumb|Ava and Celestine after the regional championships finals]]
{| class="roundtable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{normal color}}; border: 3px solid #{{normal color dark}};"
|-
! style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | Participant
! style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | Place
|-
| [[Ava]]
| Champion
|-
| [[Celestine]]
| Runner-up
|-
| [[Ava's father]]
| N/A
|-
| style="{{roundybl|5px}}" |[[Tonio (Path to the Peak)|Tonio]]
| style="{{roundybr|5px}}" | N/A
|}
<!--====Notable competitors (International)====-->
====Notable competitors (Worlds)====
{| class="roundtable" style="margin:auto; text-align:center; background: #{{normal color}}; border: 3px solid #{{normal color dark}};"
|-
! style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | Participant
! style="background:#{{normal color light}}" | Place
|-
| [[Ava]]
| Champion
|-
| [[Edgar Troy]]
| Runner-up
|-
|}
====Gallery====
<gallery>
Ava regional champion.png|Ava winning the regional championship
Ava World Champion.png|Ava as a World [[Champion]]
</gallery>
 
==In other languages==
{{Langtable|color={{gold color}}|bordercolor={{gold color dark}}
|zh_yue=寶可夢世界錦標賽 ''{{tt|Pokémon Saigaai Gámbīuchoi|Pokémon World Championships}}''
|zh_cmn=寶可夢世界錦標賽 / 宝可梦世界锦标赛 ''{{tt|Pokémon Shìjiè Jǐnbiāosài|Pokémon World Championships}}''
|nl=Pokémon Wereldkampioenschap
|fr=Championnats du Monde Pokémon
|de=Pokémon-Weltmeisterschaften
|it=Campionati Mondiali Pokémon
|ko=포켓몬 월드챔피언십 ''Pokémon World Championships''
|pl=Mistrzostwo Świata Pokémon
|pt_br=Campeonato Mundial Pokémon<br>Campeonato Mundial de Pokémon
|pt_eu=Campeonato Mundial de Pokémon
|ru=Чемпионат Мира по игре в Покемон ''Chempionat Mira po igre v Pokémon''
|es=Campeonato Mundial Pokémon
}}
 
==See also==
* [[Play! Pokémon]]
* [[Pokémon League (TCG)]]
* [[Championship Point]]
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
* [https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/pokemon-world-championships/ Official website]
 
{{World Championships}}
{{-}}
{{Project Real-Life notice}}


===TCG and Video Game World Championships since 2009===
[[Category:Play! Pokémon]]
* For the 2009 Pokémon TCG and Pokémon Video Game World Championships, see '''[[2009 World Championships]]'''.
[[Category:TCG World Championships|*]]
* For the 2010 Pokémon TCG and Pokémon Video Game World Championships, see '''[[2010 World Championships]]'''.
[[Category:Video Game World Championships|*]]
*For information on the forthcoming 2011 Pokémon TCG and Video Game World Championships, see '''[[2011 World Championships]]''.
[[Category:Video game tournaments]]
[[Category:TCG tournaments]]


[[Category:TCG]]
[[de:Pokémon-Weltmeisterschaften]]
[[Category:Games]]
[[es:Campeonato Mundial Pokémon]]
[[fr:Championnats du monde]]
[[it:Campionati Mondiali]]
[[ja:ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス]]
[[zh:宝可梦世界锦标赛（现实比赛）]]
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