FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I have never played in a Pokémon tournament; where do I start?

The first step in participating in a Play! Pokémon event such as a Pokémon Regional Championship is to set up a Pokémon Trainer Club account, which allows you to attend and earn Championship Points and Play! Points.

Once logged in, the next step is to create a Pokémon Player ID, which is used to track your progress, rewards and achievements in Play! Pokémon events. A more detailed explanation of how to start and register can be found here:

Pokémon ID CREATION INFORMATION
How do I register for the Pokémon Regional Championships?

Players must register online via the RK9 event page to secure a tournament entry.

Championship Series event registration is broken out into game titles and age divisions. Please ensure you have registered for the correct tournament.

How does Tournament Check-in work?

Mark your calendars for Friday check-in!

All players must check in at the event venue on Friday, the day before the tournament. Check-in times are available on each city’s event page.

A late check-in window is available for instances beyond the player’s control from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM Saturday.

Players must request organiser approval in advance via email the contact form found here; latecomers risk round losses.

Do I need to have a guardian present?

Players in the Junior divisions need a guardian over the age of 18 with them at all times.

Senior division players don’t require a guardian to be present; however, their designated guardian’s contact details must be available and contactable at all times.

All Junior and Senior division players receive one complimentary spectator pass to the event for their Guardians. Children under the age of 12 who are not competing in the main tournament or side events get free admission; there is no need for a spectator pass.

What is the Main Tournament tournament structure?

TRADING CARD GAME FORMAT

Matches are played via Swiss rounds, best-of-three at the Tournament Organizer’s discretion, although best-of-three is strongly recommended for events at the Regional Championships level and above. Any top cut portion of the event must be run as best-of-three.

Play! Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook

VIDEO GAME FORMAT

There is no round time for Video Game Championship Series events. The expectation is that all matches are allowed to run their course of up to three games. No game should be interrupted or terminated before the natural end of the game unless exceptional circumstances occur (such as Sudden Death – see section 3.4.3.).

Pokémon Video Game Competitors may use as much time as allowed each turn. Championship Series tournaments will automatically enforce the following time limits:

  • Team Preview: 90 seconds
  • Move time limit: 45 seconds
  • Player time (Your Time) limit: 7 minutes
  • Game time: 20 minutes
Video Game Rules, Formats, & Penalty Guidelines

Pokémon GO GAME FORMAT

Pokémon GO events, such as Regional and International Championships, use the Double Elimination format.

This format features two brackets, one each for undefeated competitors (Winners Bracket) and competitors who have lost one match (Losers Bracket). Competitors are eliminated from the tournament once they have lost two matches. Both brackets are played to completion. The champion of each bracket is then paired together in a Grand Final.

Pokémon GO Tournament Rules
What do I need to bring with me to play in a tournament?

All Players:

  • Photo Identification matching your RK9 Profile
  • Play! Pokémon Player ID Number

VGC Players:

  • A copy (physical or digital) of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for the Nintendo Switch with the latest game patch installed
  • A fully charged Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 with a working USB-C port
  • A team of tournament-legal Pokémon (see the Tournament Rules and check back regularly before the event for updated rules)
  • Players are strongly encouraged to bring a charger for their systems, as tournament staff will not have chargers available for loan
  • Players are strongly encouraged to bring a wired Nintendo Switch Pro controller to improve their gameplay experience

PLEASE NOTE: ALL CONTROLLERS MUST BE PHYSICALLY CONNECTED TO CONSOLES WITH A CABLE

TCG Players:

  • A completed decklist, for which further details can be found here. This will be submitted in an online format in the 2026  Season.
  • A 60-card, standard-format deck
  • A Playmat

GO Players:

Players must be of or above the age of digital consent in their home market to participate in Pokémon GO Championship Series events. 

GO Account level 30+

The tournament is full. Is there any way I can register?

Specific dates for each registration wave and the release of any additional tickets will be announced on our Facebook, Twitter, and Discord platforms.

Please note that there is no waitlist system available for the event. All registrations are first-come, first-served.

Are these family-friendly events?

The Pokémon Regional Championships are family-friendly events. Attendees are from a diverse range of ages and cultural backgrounds.

Drugs and alcohol is not permitted at these events. Any persons who are found to have or be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol will be asked to leave the venue.

Likewise, inappropriate or offensive language will not be tolerated.

For assistance, please contact via the form found here.

What does a spectator badge get me access to?

Spectators are in for plenty of fun too! From cheering on their favorite players in thrilling matches to exploring side events, shopping for exclusive Pokémon merchandise, and meeting fellow fans, there’s something for everyone.

Can I bring outside food and drink into the event?

Attendees are not permitted to bring in any outside meals.

Water and non-alcoholic drinks are acceptable, but please avoid spills in the tournament area.

There will be on-site cafes available to the public if you wish to purchase any meals.

I can no longer attend the tournament I registered for; what can I do?

If you cannot attend the tournament, you can notify us via our contact form here with your full name, Player ID, and the tournament you have registered for (TCG, VGC, GO).

This will allow us to mark you as absent to avoid any details to the tournament.