Pokémon has just announced that Pokemon Worlds 2025 will be held in Anaheim, CA from August 15th to 17th, and Worlds 2026 will take place in San Francisco, CA from August 28th to 30th. This marks the first time that Pokémon has revealed the locations for Worlds two years in advance. The early announcement might be linked to a leak about the San Francisco venue that surfaced in February.
Under TPCi, these will be the 20th and 21st Worlds tournaments. Previous Pokemon Worlds locations have included:
- 2004: Orlando, Florida
- 2005: San Diego, California
- 2006: Anaheim, California
- 2007: Kona, Hawaii
- 2008: Orlando, Florida
- 2009: San Diego, California
- 2010: Kona, Hawaii
- 2011: San Diego, California
- 2012: Kona, Hawaii
- 2013: Vancouver, Canada
- 2014: Washington, D.C.
- 2015: Boston, Massachusetts
- 2016: San Francisco, California
- 2017: Anaheim, California
- 2018: Nashville, Tennessee
- 2019: Washington, D.C.
- 2020: —
- 2021: —
- 2022: London, UK
- 2023: Yokohama, Japan
- 2024: Honolulu, Hawaii
Pokémon World Championships (Pokémon Worlds):
- Competitions:
- Video Game Championships (VGC): Players compete using the latest Pokémon video games. For instance, the format changes with each new game release, such as Pokémon Sword and Shield or Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.
- Trading Card Game Championships (TCG): Competitors use their Pokémon Trading Card Game decks to battle.
- Pokémon GO Championships: Competitions are held for players of Pokémon GO, though this has been a more recent addition compared to the VGC and TCG events.
- Pokémon UNITE Championships: Players compete in Pokémon UNITE, a multiplayer online battle arena game, introduced as a major competitive category in recent years.
- Qualification:
- Regional and National Tournaments: Players qualify through various regional and national tournaments held throughout the year, earning points and standings to secure a spot at Worlds.
- Ranking Points: Players accumulate Championship Points or other qualifying criteria through these events to earn a place at the World Championships.
- Event Highlights:
- Finals Matches: The top players from around the world compete in finals to be crowned World Champion in their respective categories.
- Side Events and Exhibitions: The event often includes side tournaments, special exhibitions, and community activities.
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies: These feature various entertainment elements, including presentations, guest appearances, and celebrations of the competitive season.
- Location:
- The Pokémon World Championships are held in different cities each year. Locations vary globally to accommodate fans and competitors from around the world. For example, recent locations have included London, Yokohama, and Honolulu.
- The Pokémon World Championships are held in different cities each year. Locations vary globally to accommodate fans and competitors from around the world. For example, recent locations have included London, Yokohama, and Honolulu.
- Significance:
- Community Gathering: The event brings together players, fans, and industry professionals, celebrating the competitive Pokémon community.
- Celebration of Skill: It highlights the peak of competitive Pokémon play and recognizes the skill and dedication of top players.
Overall, Pokémon Worlds is a significant event in the Pokémon calendar, combining competitive gameplay, community engagement, and a celebration of the Pokémon franchise.
