Pokémon VGC
Competitor information for the Pokémon Video Game Championships at LAIC.
Tournament Structure
Match Structure and Rounds
The number of Swiss rounds will be determined by attendance, with Swiss play split between a maximum of two days. Information on the number of expected rounds can be found in the Tournament Rules and Resources.
Each round, you will be paired against another competitor to play your match. You will be able to find your table number through your RK9 Player Tournament Dashboard. Ensure you get to your table on time. Being late to a match can result in penalties.
Meal Breaks
Junior and Senior Division competitors will have one meal break per day. Exact timing for each event’s meal break will be announced on-site for each event.
There is no scheduled meal break for competitors in the Masters Division.
Schedule Details
Masters competitors will begin competition on Friday, November 21. Juniors and Seniors will begin on Saturday, November 22.
All age divisions will conclude on Sunday, November 23.
The Tournament Schedule may be subject to change.
What to Bring
When you show up at a Pokémon video game tournament, there are some things you must have with you:
A Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game (physical or digital) updated to the most recent software version.
A fully charged Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, or Nintendo Switch 2 system with a working USB-C port, the latest system updates installed, and wired internet settings set to automatic.
Competitors may also bring a wired USB-A compatible controller and a wired USB-A or 3.5mm audio headset.
You should set your Nintendo Switch wired internet settings to automatic.
Make sure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership for the duration of the event.
A team of tournament-legal Pokémon for the current format at the time of the event (see the Tournament Rules and check back regularly before the event for updates).
Proof of age may be requested, and failure to provide proof of age may result in the competitor being denied participation in the tournament (at the organizer’s discretion).
- Competitors are strongly encouraged to bring a charger for their systems. It is the competitor’s responsibility that their console remains operational throughout the tournament.
Team List Submission
Team lists will be submitted online via RK9.gg. All team lists must be submitted by 6:00 a.m. BRT on the first day of the event for each age division. You can resubmit your team list as many times as you want prior to the submission deadline; however, you must play the final team you submit.
Any lists not submitted on time may result in a loss for Round 1. For information on how to submit your list for the event, see RK9’s support article for Pokémon video game team lists.
Connecting to a Battle
At the beginning of the tournament, you will be seated for the competitor meeting or Round 1 pairings, depending upon the event. After connecting to your opponent and seeing “Preparations Complete” in-game, you and your opponent will exchange official “opponent view” team sheets. Be sure to keep a close eye on your sheet, as you must show it to your opponent during each tournament round. You should check that the information on your team sheet is correct. If there are any errors, contact a Judge immediately to assist you.
Each round, you will connect your Nintendo Switch system to a dock at the table number you are assigned to. Your system should be set to airplane mode when playing tournament matches.
Battles will be held via the Union Circle in the Poké Portal.
- Competitor 1 will form a group using the Union Circle and share the unique code with competitor 2 so that they can join.
- Once in the Union Circle, both competitors will select Link Battle to match up.
- Competitors must select Double Battle and Official Rules 1 for their match.
- Each competitor should confirm that they are connected to the correct opponent prior to beginning their match.
- After completing their match, competitors must keep their Nintendo Switch systems docked until they’ve disbanded their group or exited the Union Circle.
Please change the Show Nicknames setting in-game to Don’t show and turn off all system friend notifications. Make sure your system’s Date and Time settings are set to Synchronize Clock via Internet.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the top competitors in each of the three age divisions. Competitors must have an account with a Player ID attached and must have opted in to the Play! Pokémon program to earn points and awards.
The four finalists in each age division will earn a direct invitation to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, regardless of their Championship Point standing at the end of the season.
The Top 8 Trainers in each age division will be eligible to receive a commemorative Medal in Pokémon HOME marking their achievement. To receive this exclusive Medal, attendees must first download Pokémon HOME on their NFC-enabled device and complete the Medal tutorial before they receive their physical prizing for this event.
Players that use the Pokémon HOME Basic Plan can possess up to 30 medals. Those who have enrolled in the Premium Plan (Paid) can have up to 1,000 medals. Please note that this feature is only available on the mobile device version of Pokémon HOME. It must be linked to a Nintendo Account in order to have medals.
Championship Points
For details on Championship Points, please reference the Pokémon Championship Series website.
The format of each prize is dependent on the age of the recipient. Here are the International Championships prizes for the 2026 Play! Pokémon Championship Series season.
18 years of age and older
- - Awards of $5,000 or more: choice of scholarship or cash
- - Awards under $5,000: cash
Under 18 years of age
- - Awards of $5,000 or more: choice of scholarship or Pokémon Visa® prepaid card
- - Awards under $5,000: Pokémon Visa® prepaid card
Prizes are based on attendance per age division. Unless otherwise specified, all prizes are paid in US dollars and subject to applicable tax withholding. Prize winners should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their tax obligations.
| Placement | Junior & Senior Division | Masters Division |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| 2 | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| 3-4 | $2,000 | $7,000 |
| 5-8 | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| 9-16 | $3,000 | |
| 17-32 | $2,000 |
*Prizes and prize distribution subject to change.
Competitors will receive Pokémon TCG booster packs for competing in Championship Events. The number of booster packs earned is based on individual placement, as well as the number of participants in an event.
| Placement | <33 | 33-64 | 65-128 | 129-256 | 257-512 | 513-1024 | 1025-2048 | 2049+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
| 2 | 72 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
| 3–4 | 36 | 72 | 72 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
| 5–8 | 18 | 36 | 36 | 72 | 108 | 108 | 108 | 108 |
| 9–16 | 9 | 18 | 36 | 36 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 108 |
| 17–32 | 18 | 18 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | ||
| 33–64 | 9 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | |||
| 65–128 | 18 | 18 | 36 | 36 | ||||
| 129–256 | 9 | 18 | 18 | |||||
| 257–512 | 9 |
*Prizes and prize distribution subject to change.
Not Competing?
Spectators with badges can enjoy activities and experiences including side events, shopping, trading, and the livestream.