Highlights from the 2024 Pokémon World Championships

The 2024 Pokémon World Championships, hosted by The Pokémon Company International, wrapped up yesterday after three thrilling days of intense competition and camaraderie in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. This premier event, held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, drew over 13,000 players and fans from around the globe, making it the world’s most prestigious gathering for Pokémon enthusiasts. Competitors vied for the top spots in various categories, including the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE.

2024 Champions:
– Pokémon TCG Junior Division: Sakuya Ota [JP]
– Pokémon TCG Senior Division: Evan Pavelski [US]
– Pokémon TCG Masters Division: Fernando Cifuentes [CL]
– Pokémon VGC Junior Division: Kevin Han [US]
– Pokémon VGC Senior Division: Ray Yamanaka [JP]
– Pokémon VGC Masters Division: Luca Ceribelli [IT]
– Pokémon GO: Yekai0904 [HK]
– Pokémon UNITE: FENNEL [JP]

Alongside the fierce competition, the event was packed with exciting announcements:

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket Launches October 2024
A major highlight was the announcement of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, a new app reimagining the TCG experience in a digital format. Launching globally on October 30, 2024, this app will allow players to open digital booster packs daily, featuring nostalgic illustrations and exclusive new cards. Preregistration is now open on the App Store and Google Play, with a soft launch available in New Zealand.

Trainer’s Pokémon Coming to the TCG in 2025
Fans can look forward to a new series of Pokémon TCG cards featuring Trainer’s Pokémon, including iconic cards like Lillie’s Clefairy ex and Marnie’s Grimmsnarl ex. These cards are set to release in 2025, with more details to be revealed in the coming months.

Pokémon GO Introduces Morpeko and New Battle Mechanics
Morpeko is set to debut in Pokémon GO with a new battle-only form feature that allows certain Pokémon to change forms during battle using a Charged Attack. Additionally, a mysterious new update is on the horizon, promising significant changes to the game.

New Battle Format and Unite Licenses in Pokémon UNITE
A new 500-point battle format is coming to Pokémon UNITE, where teams compete to score points by defeating wild Pokémon and opponents. This exciting addition, along with new playable Pokémon such as Armarouge, Darkrai, and Psyduck, is set to launch in spring 2025.

Future Pokémon World Championships Locations Announced
The locations for the next two Pokémon World Championships were unveiled: Anaheim, California, will host the 2025 event from August 15 to 17, while San Francisco, California, will welcome Trainers in 2026 from August 28 to 30.

For a deeper dive into these announcements and more, visit the official Pokémon YouTube channel or the Play! Pokémon website at play.pokemon.com.