View source for Pokémon World Championships

{{short description|Esports event}}
{{Infobox sports league
| title           = Pokémon World Championships
| current_season  = 2024 Pokémon World Championships<!-- do not wikilink -->
| current_season2 = <!-- do not wikilink -->
| last_season     = 
| upcoming_season = <!-- do not wikilink; replace with current_season at the start of the new season -->
| logo            = Pokémon World Championships logo.png
| pixels          = 
| caption         = 
| formerly        = 
| replaced        = 
| game            = ''[[Pokémon]]''
| founded         = {{start date|2004}}
| folded          = 
| owner           = [[The Pokémon Company]]
| ceo             = [[Tsunekazu Ishihara]]
| director        = 
| president       =
| commissioner    = [[Play! Pokémon]]
| fame            = <!--what the league is famous for...the "claim to fame"...avoid use if possible-->
| motto           =
| divisions       = <!-- as of 2020 -->
* Junior (born up to 12 years before the year of the current tournament season, except for those under six years old)<!--From the tournament rules handbook, "The following are ineligible to participate in Play! Pokémon tournaments in which Championship Points can be earned. [...] Players below 6 years of age."-->
* Senior (born 13 to 16 years before the year of the current tournament season)
* Masters (born 17 or more years before the year of the current tournament season)
| inaugural       = 
| teams           = 
| singles         = 
| countries       = 
| venue           = Rotating locations
| headquarters    = [[Bellevue, Washington]], [[United States]]
| continent       = <!-- or | continents = -->
| champion        = 
| most_champs     = 
| qualification   = 
| tv              =
| sponsor         =
| related_comps   =
| founder         = 
| levels          =
| promotion       =
| relegation      = 
| domestic_cup    =
| website         = [https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/ Play! Pokémon Events]
| footnotes       =
}}

The '''Pokémon World Championships''' is an invite-only [[esports]] event organized by [[Play! Pokémon]]. It is held annually in August and features games from the ''[[Pokémon]]'' series such as the [[Pokémon (video game series)|''Pokémon'' video games]], ''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'', ''[[Pokémon Go]], [[Pokémon Unite]]'' and ''[[Pokkén Tournament]]'' (until its 2022 edition). Players earn invitations to the World Championships based on their performance in qualifiers and other tournaments held throughout the season and compete for scholarship money, prizes and the title of World Champion. With the exception of [[Asia]], invitations to the World Championships are administered by the [[Play! Pokémon]] program.

==History==
The Pokémon World Championships first began with the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] (TCG) in 2004, which was around the time that the franchise was regaining its popularity.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Jamie |title=Polk County's Pokemon champ |url=https://www.theledger.com/news/20040913/polk-countys-pokemon-champ |website=The Ledger |publisher=Gannett Co., Inc. |access-date=September 13, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-04-08|title=10 Years of Competitive Pokémon TCG: The Beginning|url=https://sixprizes.com/2013/04/08/10-years-of-competitive/|access-date=2021-08-29|website=SixPrizes|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Pojo's Pokemon Site - Nintendo Gameboy Strategies, Cards, Prices, Pokedex, Tips|url=https://www.pojo.com/pokemon/news/2005/1-21.html|access-date=2021-08-29|website=www.pojo.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-11-12 |title=2004 Pokemon World Champions Crowned |url=http://boardgames.about.com/b/2004/08/28/2004-pokemon-world-champions-crowned.htm |access-date=2022-06-12 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112115721/http://boardgames.about.com/b/2004/08/28/2004-pokemon-world-champions-crowned.htm |archive-date=12 November 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hundreds of Pokémon players vie to be world's best - CNN.com |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/08/13/pokemon.championship/index.html |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=www.cnn.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokemon set to Rock America! :: News :: PKMN.NET |url=http://pkmn.net/?action=news&page=viewnews&id=419 |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=pkmn.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-06-18 |title=2004 Worlds Standings |url=https://ptcgarchive.com/2004-worlds-standings/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Pokemon TCG Archive |language=en}}</ref> In 2009, Play! Pokémon began to organize competitive tournaments for the ''Pokémon'' video game series alongside the TCG, which is collectively known as the Video Game Championships (VGC). Like the TCG Championships, players compete with other players in their own age divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior and Masters) in different Premier Tournaments, and the season culminates with the best players earning an invitation to play the Pokémon World Championships in August. The tournaments in VGC are played with a different game each year, mainly, the latest ''Pokémon'' game from its main series.

In 2016, Play! Pokémon announced that ''[[Pokkén Tournament]]'' would have its own championship series and would be played at the Pokémon World Championships.<ref>Official Pokkén Tournament website, http://www.pokkentournament.com/en-us/championship-series/</ref> From 2018 onward, ''Pokkén Tournament DX'' was used to support its qualifiers and competitions.

In 2019, it was announced that the 2020 Pokémon World Championships would take place in [[London]], United Kingdom,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/pokemon-world-championships-move-to-london-for-2020/|title=Pokemon World Championships move to London for 2020|last=Reichert|first=Corinne|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/excel-london-hosts-the-2020-pokemon-world-championships-on-august-1416/|title=ExCeL London Hosts the 2020 Pokémon World Championships on August 14–16 {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref> the first time in which the World Championships would be held in a location outside of [[North America]]. This is likely due to the setting of ''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]'', which takes place in a region inspired by the United Kingdom known as Galar, and it is the set of games that would be played by the video game division of the World Championships.

On March 31, 2020, [[Play! Pokémon]] cancelled the 2020 Pokémon World Championships and suspended its 2020 season due to health concerns over the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-pokemon-championship-series-canceled/|title=2020 Pokémon Championship Series Canceled {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyesports.gg/2020-pokemon-championship-series-suspended-due-to-coronavirus/|title=2020 Pokémon Championship Series suspended due to coronavirus|date=2020-03-31|website=Daily Esports|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> This came after earlier announcements in March which saw the cancellation of the 2020 European International Championships<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/update-for-the-2020-pokemon-europe-international-championships/|title=Update for the 2020 Pokémon Europe International Championships {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28852369/pokemon-cancels-europe-international-championship-coronavirus-cases-swell|title=Pokémon championship canceled as coronavirus cases swell|date=2020-03-06|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> and part of its season between March and June 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyesports.gg/play-pokemon-cancels-more-sanctioned-events-due-to-coronavirus/|title=Play Pokémon cancels more sanctioned events due to coronavirus|date=2020-03-17|website=Daily Esports|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/esports-arena-leagues-shift-online-events-coronavirus-pandemic-1285112|title=Esports Arena: Leagues Shift to Online Events Amid Coronavirus Pandemic|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=18 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref> On February 9, 2021, it was announced that the 2021 Pokémon World Championships would postponed till 2022 for the same reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/next-pokemon-tcg-video-game-and-pokken-tournament-dx-world-championships-moved-to-2022-in-london/|title=Next Pokémon TCG, Video Game, and Pokkén Tournament DX World Championships Moved to 2022 in London|website=Pokemon.com|access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref>

In early January 2022, it was confirmed that ''[[Pokémon Unite]]'' would be played at the World Championships, making it the newest [[MOBA]] game to have an official esports tournament, after ''[[League of Legends]]''.

In May 2022, after six seasons, Play! Pokémon announced the end of the ''Pokkén Tournament'' Championship Series after the 2022 season.

At the 2022 edition of the event, it was announced that the 2023 World Championships will take place in [[Yokohama]], Japan (the basis of Vermilion City in the Kanto region).  When the 2023 event took place, it was  the first time that the World Championships visited the franchise's country of origin, as well as the first World Championships to take place in Asia.

At the end of the 2023 event, The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon World Championships will return to [[Hawaii]] for the first time since the previous World Championships in the state was held back in 2012. <ref name="PWC 24"/>

== World Championship locations ==
Despite Pokémon being a Japanese product, only one World Championship (2023) was held in Japan. Almost all of the remaining events were held in the United States.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
!Location
! City
!Country
!Video Game Format
!Ref
|-
|2004
|[[Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa]]||[[Orlando, Florida]]
| rowspan="9" |{{flag|United States}}
| rowspan="4" |N/A
|
|-
|2005
|Town and Country Resort and Convention Center||[[San Diego|San Diego, California]]
|
|-
|2006
|[[Hilton Anaheim]]||[[Anaheim, California]]
|
|-
|2007
|[[Hilton Waikoloa Village]]||[[Waikoloa Village, Hawaii]]
|
|-
|2008
|[[Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista]]|| Orlando, Florida
|''[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl]]''
|
|-
|2009
|[[Hilton San Diego Bayfront]]|| San Diego, California
|''[[Pokémon Platinum]]''
|
|-
|2010
|Hilton Waikoloa Village|| Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
|''[[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver]]''
|
|-
|2011
|Hilton San Diego Bayfront|| San Diego, California
| rowspan="2" |''[[Pokémon Black and White]]''
|
|-
|2012
|Hilton Waikoloa Village|| Waikoloa Village, Hawaii
|
|-
|2013
|[[Vancouver Convention Centre|Vancouver Convention Centre]]||[[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]]||{{flag|Canada}}
|''[[Pokémon Black 2 and White 2]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/8/12/4613986/pokemon-world-championships-award-the-very-best-with-scholarships|title=Pokémon World Championships award the very best with scholarship cash|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=2013-08-12|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
|-
|2014
|[[Walter E. Washington Convention Center]]||[[Washington, D.C.]]
| rowspan="6" |{{flag|United States}}
|''[[Pokémon X and Y]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/2000-fans-face-off-at-pokemon-world-championship|title=2000 fans face-off at Pokemon World Championship|website=SBS News|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3136218/2014-pokemon-world-championships/|title=A Weekend At The 2014 Pokémon World Championships|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2015
|[[Hynes Convention Center]]||[[Boston|Boston, Massachusetts]]
| rowspan="2" |''[[Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire]]''
|
|-
|2016
|[[San Francisco Marriott Marquis]]||[[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/these-are-your-2016-pokemon-world-champions-1785615131|title=These Are Your 2016 Pokémon World Champions|website=Kotaku|date=22 August 2016 |language=en-us|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|[[Anaheim Convention Center]]|| Anaheim, California
|''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon]]''
|
|-
|2018
|[[Music City Center]]||[[Nashville, Tennessee]]
| rowspan="2" |''[[Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2018/08/24/pokemon-world-championship-2018-livestream-nashville/1085863002/|title=Watch live: Pokemon World Championship 2018 in Nashville|website=The Tennessean|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|[[Walter E. Washington Convention Center]]||Washington, D.C.
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/pokemon-world-championships-2019-start-time-schedule-stream-online-1454611|title=Everything you need to know to watch the 2019 Pokémon World Championships|last=Martinez|first=Phillip|date=2019-08-15|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
|-
|2020 
|rowspan="2" colspan="4" style="text-align: center;" | ''Cancelled due to [[COVID-19 pandemic]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/pokemon-world-championships-move-to-london-for-2020/|title=Pokemon World Championships move to London for 2020|last=Reichert|first=Corinne|website=CNET|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/excel-london-hosts-the-2020-pokemon-world-championships-on-august-1416/|title=ExCeL London Hosts the 2020 Pokémon World Championships on August 14–16 {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-02-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-pokemon-championship-series-canceled/|title=2020 Pokémon Championship Series Canceled {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=2020 Pokémon Championship Series Canceled {{!}} Pokemon.com|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-pokemon-championship-series-canceled/|access-date=2020-03-31|website=www.pokemon.com}}</ref>
|-
|2021
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/next-pokemon-tcg-video-game-and-pokken-tournament-dx-world-championships-moved-to-2022-in-london/|title=Next Pokémon TCG, Video Game, and Pokkén Tournament DX World Championships Moved to 2022 in London|website=Pokemon.com|access-date=2021-02-09}}</ref>
|-
|2022
|[[ExCeL London]]||[[London, England]]||{{flag|United Kingdom}}
|''[[Pokémon Sword and Shield]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/uk/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/pokemon-world-championships/|title=2022 Pokemon World Championships|website=Pokemon.com|access-date=2022-02-13}}</ref>
|-
|[[2023 Pokémon World Championships|2023]]
|[[Pacifico Yokohama]]||[[Yokohama, Kanagawa]]||{{flag|Japan}}
| rowspan="3" | ''[[Pokémon Scarlet and Violet]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/get-a-first-look-at-plans-for-the-2023-pokemon-championship-series|title=Get a First Look at Plans for the 2023 Pokémon Championship Series|website=Pokemon.com|access-date=2022-08-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2022-pokemon-world-championships-closing-ceremony-recap|title=2022 Pokémon World Championships Closing Ceremony Recap|website=Pokemon.com|access-date=2022-08-21}}</ref>
|-
|[[2024 Pokémon World Championships|2024]]
|[[Hawaii Convention Center|Hawai'i Convention Center]]||[[Honolulu|Honolulu, Hawaii]]||rowspan="3" |{{flag|United States}}
|<ref name="PWC 24">{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/2024-pokemon-world-championships-location-revealed/|title=2024 Pokémon World Championships location revealed|last=Middler|first=Jordan|website=Video Games Chronicle|date=2022-08-13|access-date=2022-08-13}}</ref>
|-
|[[2025 Pokémon World Championships|2025]]
|[[Anaheim Convention Center]]||[[Anaheim|Anaheim, California]]
|<ref name="PWC 25">{{Cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/anaheim-hosts-the-2025-pokemon-world-championships/|title=Anaheim hosts the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, San Francisco in 2026|last=|first=|website=Dot Esports|date=2024-08-18|access-date=2024-08-18}}</ref>
|-
|[[2026 Pokémon World Championships|2026]]
|[[TBA]]||[[San Francisco, California]]
|[[TBA]]
|<ref name="PWC 25">{{Cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/pokemon/news/anaheim-hosts-the-2025-pokemon-world-championships/|title=Anaheim hosts the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, San Francisco in 2026|last=|first=|website=Dot Esports|date=2024-08-18|access-date=2024-08-18}}</ref>

|}

==Qualification==
The qualifying process for the Pokémon World Championships varies each year and is dependent on a player's age division and the country in which they are located in. Players may also qualify to play on different days of the World Championships based on their performance in their respective qualifying programs; the best performing players will immediately advance to the second day of the World Championships playoffs (i.e. "Day 2") instead of playing through the first day (i.e. "Day 1").

=== Play! Pokémon program ===
{{See also|Play! Pokémon#List of participating countries}}
Players located in a country with a [[Play! Pokémon]] program (i.e. in [[North America]], [[Europe]], [[Latin America]] and [[Oceania]]) compete in a regular schedule of tournaments for Championship Points and receive invitations when they meet a predetermined threshold of points at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pokémon Championship Series {{!}} Pokemon.com|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.pokemon.com}}</ref>

In 2015, the Play! Pokémon program expanded to include countries from the continents of [[Latin America]] and [[Asia]] (except Japan and South Korea). However, on June 10, 2020, it was announced that [[Asia]] would no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon program and will have its own qualifying system towards the Pokémon World Championships.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-10|title=Dear players of the English Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon Sword and Shield in Asia {{!}} Video Games|url=https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/topics/game/200610160214_Announcement.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610190328/https://sg.portal-pokemon.com/topics/game/200610160214_Announcement.html|archive-date=2020-06-10|access-date=2020-06-10|website=The official Pokémon Website in Singapore|language=en}}</ref>

=== Pokémon GO Championship Series ===
{{See also|Pokémon GO Battle League#2022 Championship Series}}
Pokémon announced in October 2021 that [[Pokémon Go|Pokémon GO]] would be added during the 2022 World Championships,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pokémon GO Championship Series |url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/pokemon-go/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.pokemon.com |language=en}}</ref> along with it a qualification system through the Pokémon GO Championship Series, where the top two head to the World Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/news/pokemon-go-added-to-2022-world-championship-go-championship-circuit-details-revealed |work=[[Dot Esports]] |date=5 October 2021 |title=Pokémon Go added to 2022 World Championship, Go Championship Circuit Details Revealed |access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref> Any trainer who reached Legend rank during Season 9 of the [[Pokémon GO Battle League#Season 9|Pokémon GO Battle League]] would qualify for the GO Championship Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pokemongohub.net/post/news/pokemon-go-championship-2022-series-details-shared/ |work=[[Pokémon Go|Pokémon Go Hub]] |title=Pokémon GO Championship 2022 Series Format and Event |access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref>

=== Pokémon Unite Championship Series ===
{{See also|Pokémon Unite#In esports{{!}}''Pokémon Unite'' § In esports}}
In January 2022, ''[[Pokémon Unite]]'' producer Masaaki Hoshino confirmed that the game would be part of the roster of games to be played at the World Championships in London.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pokémon UNITE {{!}} An Exciting Update from the Pokémon UNITE Team!|url=https://unite.pokemon.com/en-us|access-date=2022-02-10|website=unite.pokemon.com|language=en-US}}</ref> For the first season of the Pokémon Unite Championship Series, there will be eleven supported Regional Zones: North America, Central America, South America-East, South America-West, Europe, Oceania, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. These events will only be open to players aged 16 or 18, depending on the region or country they are from.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pokémon UNITE {{!}} Championship Series|url=https://unite.pokemon.com/en-us|access-date=2022-02-10|website=unite.pokemon.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

In each month, a series of tournaments in each Regional Zone will be held. Like other games in the World Championships, players will earn Championship Points based on their finishing position in that month's tournament. The CP can be retained by players to allow for team changes as the season carries on. The team with the most points qualifies for the Regional Championships, and the top teams from the Regional Championships qualify for a chance to compete at the Pokémon World Championships.

In January 2023, there were changes to the competitive structure and Regional Zones. Pokémon World Championships nearly doubled available spots from 16, to 31 teams. Regional Zones controlled by TPCi were also changed, with Central America, South America-East and South America West being changed to LATAM North, LATAM South, and Brazil. TPC had also taken control of the India and Asia-Pacific Regional Zones, and split Asia-Pacific into 2 regions; Asia-Pacific East and Asia-Pacific West. For TPCi controlled regions, the previous month's top 4 did not auto qualify for the next month's tournament finals. Additionally, an extra monthly tournament was added, the April Cup. Championship Points were also changed to include top CP earners an invite to Pokémon World Championships, ranging from top 1 to 3 in top CP earners depending on how many invites were given for a region. For TPC controlled regions, their tournament circuit began in April, with 3 monthly qualifiers. The winners of these qualifiers then participated in Regionals to earn a spot for Pokémon World Championships.

Among those changes, both North America and Europe were also given their first regional LAN event. Europe had a LAN event for their Aeos Cup series at European International Championships. North America were given a regional LAN event at the North America International Championships.

In 2023, competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group play each another in a best-of-three series [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]], with the top team advancing to the Top 8 knockout stage. The final draw took place virtually on the ''[[Pokémon Unite]]'' [[YouTube]] channel on July 28, 2023. The prize pool is $500,000 in USD will be distributed among the Top 16 finishers in the championship.

=== Japan & South Korea ===
Tournaments in [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]] are organised independently from Play! Pokémon, and as such, players from these countries have a different system of qualification.

In Japan, players compete for an invite to the ''Japan National Championships'' by playing in major qualifier or online tournaments held throughout the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=よくあるご質問 {{!}} 「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2014」公式サイト|url=https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/wcs2014/faq/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=FAQ {{!}} 「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2015」公式サイト|url=http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/wcs2015/faq/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト|language=ja}}</ref> The best performing players of the ''Japan National Championships'' will then be selected to represent Japan in the Pokémon World Championships.<ref>{{Cite web|title=よくある質問｜「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2017」公式サイト|url=https://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/wcs2017/faq/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト}}</ref>

In South Korea, the style of qualification for the World Championships changes frequently. For example, in 2015, players would compete in the ''Korean National Championships'' and earn a World Championships invitation based on their standing in the tournament. However, in 2019, players would compete in tournaments organized by the ''Korean League'' and earn an invite based on the number of points they had accumulated by the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=포켓몬 공식 사이트|url=https://pokemonkorea.co.kr/card/184|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Pokémon Korea|language=ko}}</ref>

=== Other ===
There are other less common methods of qualifying for the World Championships which include finishing at least top 4 or better in the prior year's World Championships or by participating in a [[single-elimination tournament]] known as the Last Chance Qualifier<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pokkén Tournament DX Last Chance Qualifier {{!}} Pokemon.com|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2019/pokken-tournament-dx-lcq/|access-date=2020-06-10|website=www.pokemon.com}}</ref> at the location of the World Championships itself.

==List of World Champions==
=== Trading Card Game (TCG) ===
{|class="wikitable"
! Year
! Juniors (U13)
! Seniors (13-16)
! Masters (17+)
!Ref.
|-
|2004|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Hayato Sato || {{flagicon|JPN}} Takuya Yoneda || {{flagicon|JPN}} Tsuguyoshi Yamato 
|
|-
|2005|| {{flagicon|USA}} Curran Hill || {{flagicon|USA}} Stuart Benson || {{flagicon|USA}} Jeremy Maron 
|
|-
|2006|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Yano || {{flagicon|FIN}} Miska Saari || {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Klaczynski 
|
|-
|2007|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Jun Hasebe || {{flagicon|USA}} Jeremy Scharff-Kim || {{flagicon|FIN}} Tom Roos 
|
|-
|2008|| {{flagicon|USA}} Tristan Robinson || {{flagicon|USA}} Dylan Lefavour || {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Klaczynski 
|
|-
|2009|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Tsubasa Nakamura || {{flagicon|JPN}} Takuto Itagaki || {{flagicon|USA}} Stephen Silvestro 
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sixprizes.com/2009/08/24/pokemon-2009-tcg-world/ |date=24 August 2009 |first=Pablo |last=Meza |publisher=SixPrizes |language=en-US |title=Pokémon 2009 TCG World Championship Report by Pablo Meza |access-date=2 November 2021}}</ref>
|-
|2010|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Yuka Furusawa || {{flagicon|CAN}} Jacob Lesage || {{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Komatsuda 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sixprizes.com/2010/08/16/pokemon-world-champions-crowned/|title=Pokémon World Champions Crowned in Hawaii|date=2010-08-17|website=SixPrizes|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2011|| {{flagicon|BRA}} Gustavo Wada || {{flagicon|AUS}} Christopher Kan || {{flagicon|USA}} David Cohen 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2011/08/these_pokemon_world_champions_are_the_very_best|title=These Pokémon World Champions Are the Very Best|date=2011-08-15|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2012|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Shuto Itagaki || {{flagicon|CAN}} Chase Moloney || {{flagicon|POR}} Igor Costa 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kidzworld.com/article/27225-2012-pokmon-world-tournament-results|title=2012 Pokémon World Tournament Results!|website=Kidzworld|language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2013|| {{flagicon|CZE}} Ondřej Kujal || {{flagicon|AUS}} Kaiwen Cabbabe || {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Klaczynski 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/info/2013champs/|title=2013 Pokémon World Champions {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2014|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Haruto Kobayashi || {{flagicon|USA}} Trent Orndorff || {{flagicon|CAN}} Andrew Estrada 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2015/2014-champions/|title=2014 Pokémon World Champions {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2015|| {{flagicon|CAN}} Rowan Stavenow || {{flagicon|USA}} Patrick Martinez || {{flagicon|USA}} Jacob Van Wagner 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2015/08/27/and-your-new-pokemon-world-champion-is/|title=And your new Pokemon World Champion is...|date=2015-08-27|website=VG247|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2016|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Shunto Sadahiro || {{flagicon|DEN}} Jesper Eriksen || {{flagicon|JPN}} Shintaro Ito 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/these-are-your-2016-pokemon-world-champions-1785615131|title=These Are Your 2016 Pokémon World Champions|website=Kotaku|date=22 August 2016 |language=en-us|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2017|| {{flagicon|NOR}} Tobias Strømdahl || {{flagicon|USA}} Zachary Bokhari || {{flagicon|ARG}} Diego Cassiraga 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-world-championships-2017-end-with-weird-te/1100-6452690/|title=Pokemon World Championships 2017 End With Weird Teams And Big Comebacks|website=GameSpot|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2018|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Naohito Inoue || {{flagicon|DEN}} Magnus Pedersen || {{flagicon|DE}} Robin Schulz 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2018/finals-recap/|title=The 2018 Pokémon World Champions Have Been Crowned! {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2019|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Haruki Miyamoto || {{flagicon|GER}} Kaya Lichtleitner || {{flagicon|AUS}} Henry Brand 
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2019/winners/|title=Meet the 2019 Pokémon World Champions! {{!}} Pokemon.com|website=www.pokemon.com|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>
|-
|2022|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Rikuto Ohashi || {{flagicon|US}} Liam Halliburton || {{flagicon|CZE}} Ondřej Škubal
|<ref>https://worlds.pokemon.com/en-us/results/ <!--This ref has info on all champions, not just TCG--></ref>
|-
|2023|| {{flagicon|TWN}} Shao Tong Yen || {{flagicon|BRA}} Gabriel Fernandez || {{flagicon|USA}} Vance Kelley
|
|-
|2024|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Sakuya Ota || {{flagicon|USA}} Evan Pavelski || {{flagicon|CHI}} Fernando Cifuentes
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Winners of the 2024 Pokémon World Championships |url=https://worlds.pokemon.com/en-us/news/world-championship-winners/ |publisher=The Pokémon Company International |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}

=== Video Game Championships (VGC) ===
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Juniors (U13)
! Seniors (13-16)
! Masters (17+)
|-
|2009|| {{flagicon|USA}} Jeremiah Fan || {{flagicon|JPN}} Kazuyuki Tsuji || N/A
|-
|2010|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Shota Yamamoto || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ray Rizzo]] || N/A
|-
|2011|| {{flagicon|USA}} Brian Hough || {{flagicon|USA}} Kamran Jahadi || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ray Rizzo]]
|-
|2012|| {{flagicon|USA}} Abram Burrows || {{flagicon|USA}} Toler Webb || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Ray Rizzo]]
|-
|2013|| {{flagicon|USA}} Brendan Zheng || {{flagicon|USA}} Hayden McTavish || {{flagicon|ITA}} Arash Ommati
|-
|2014 || {{flagicon|JPN}} Kota Yamamoto || {{flagicon|USA}} Nikolai Zielinski || {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Park Se-jun|Se Jun Park]]
|-
|2015|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Kotone Yasue || {{flagicon|UK}} Mark McQuillan || {{flagicon|JPN}} Shoma Honami
|-
|2016|| {{flagicon|USA}} Cory Connor || {{flagicon|USA}} Carson Confer || {{flagicon|USA}} [[Wolfe Glick]]
|-
|2017|| {{flagicon|AUS}} Nicholas Kan || {{flagicon|KOR}} Hong Juyoung || {{flagicon|JPN}} Ryota Otsubo
|-
|2018|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Wonn Lee || {{flagicon|USA}} James Evans || {{flagicon|ECU}} Paul Ruiz
|-
|2019|| {{flagicon|TAI}} Pi Wu || {{flagicon|JPN}} Ko Tsukide || {{flagicon|JPN}} Naoto Mizobuchi
|-
|2022|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Kosaku Miyamoto || {{flagicon|JPN}} Yasuharu Shimizu || {{flagicon|POR}} Eduardo Cunha
|-
|2023|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Sora Ebisawa || {{flagicon|JPN}} Tomoya Ogawa || {{flagicon|JPN}} Shohei Kimura
|-
|2024|| {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Han || {{flagicon|JPN}} Ray Yamanaka|| {{flagicon|ITA }} Luca Ceribelli
|}

=== Pokémon Go ===
The under-17 age division was discontinued after the 2022 season. All participants of any age now compete in the same tournament.

All tournament battles use the Great League battle format (all Pokémon must be below 1,500 Combat Power.)

{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Year
! Seniors (U17)
! Masters (17+)
|-
|2022
|{{flagicon|CH}} MEweedle<br>
|{{flagicon|GER}} DancingRob<br>
|-
|2023
|N/A
|{{flagicon|USA}} ItsAXN<br>
|-
|2024
|N/A
|{{flagicon|HKG}} Yekai0904<br>
|}

=== Pokémon Unite ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! Year
! Team
! colspan="5" | Players
|-
|2022
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} BLVKHVND
| {{Flagdeco|CAN}} Elo<br>(Angelo Huang)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Junglebook<br>(Nicholas Kim)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Kyriaos<br>(Kihyun Lee)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Overlord98<br>(William Byrnes III)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Slashcan<br>(Sean Tucker)
|-
|2023
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} [[Luminosity Gaming]]
| {{Flagdeco|CAN}} Elo<br>(Angelo Huang)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Kyriaos<br>(Kihyun Lee)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Overlord<br>(William Byrnes III)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Rhinne<br>(Amrit Rama)
| {{Flagdeco|USA}} Slash<br>(Sean Tucker)
|-
|2024
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Fennel
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Tongg<br>(Haruki Yoshiura)
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Lucapo<br>(Yuma Sato)
|{{flagicon|JPN}} Mashio<br>(Mashika Shirakawa)
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Yume<br>(Yumeto Tanabe)
| {{flagicon|JPN}} Pyi<br>(Shouki Takada)
|}

=== Retired games ===
==== Pokkén Tournament & Pokkén Tournament DX ====
{|class="wikitable"
! Year
! Seniors (U17)
! Masters (17+)
|-
|2016|| {{flagicon|UK}} Woomy!gun<br>(Josh Simmonite) || {{flagicon|JPN}} Potetin<br>(Masami Sato)
|-
|2017|| N/A || {{flagicon|JPN}} Tonosama<br>(Hisaharu Abe)
|-
|2018|| {{flagicon|JPN}} Kato<br>(Kato Yusuke) || {{flagicon|USA}} ThankSwalot<br>(Jacob Waller)
|-
|2019|| {{flagicon|USA}} Ashgreninja1<br>(Colin Jones) || {{flagicon|JPN}} Subutan<br>(Hiroki Ishida)
|-
|2022|| {{flagicon|UK}} Fruitprime<br>(Reuben Staples) || {{flagicon|USA}} Shadowcat<br>(Davon Amos-Hall)
|}

== 2014 World Championships ==
{{Infobox sport tournament
| name =  2014 Pokémon World Championships
| year = 2014
| image = File:Pokémon World Championships 2014.jpg
| caption = Attendees of the 2014 World Championships
| location = [[Washington, D.C.]]
| start_date = August 13
| end_date = 15
| administrator = [[Play! Pokémon]]
| tournament_format = [[Swiss-system tournament|Swiss rounds]], [[Single-elimination tournament|knock-out finals]]
| venues = [[Walter E. Washington Convention Center]]
| participants = 155
| purse = US$5,000 in [[scholarship]]s
| champions = {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Se Jun Park]] (Masters) {{nowrap|{{flagicon|USA}} Nikolai Zielinski (Seniors)}}  {{flagicon|JPN}} Kota Yamamoto (Juniors)
| runners-up1 = {{flagicon|USA}} Jeudy Azzarelli (Masters) {{flagicon|UK}} Mark Mcquillan (Seniors) {{flagicon|USA}} London Swan (Juniors)
| runners-up2 = <!-- or | runner-up2 = -->
| matches = 481 matches in 3 divisions
| points =
| tries = 
| goals = 
| attendance = 3000 
| noaverage = 1
| mvp = 
| top_scorer = 
| top_try_scorer = 
| stat1_label =
| stat1 =
| stat2_label =
| stat2 =
| previous = 2013
| next = [[#2015 World Championships|2015]]
}}
The '''2014 Pokémon World Championships''' was the sixth annual edition of the championships. The event took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on [[Washington, D.C.]], alongside the 2014 [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] World Championship who were in their eleventh edition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/info/where/|title=2014 World Championships Location - Pokemon.com|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

The tournament was streamed via [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] for the first time in the tournament history and reached a viewership of more than 800,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2014-08-18/six-pokemon-trainers-crowned-world-champions-at-the-2014-pokemon-world-championships/.77726|title=Six Pokémon Trainers Crowned World Champions at the 2014 Pokémon World Championships|website=Anime News Network|date=16 March 2024 }}</ref>

The defending Video Game champions were [[Arash Ommati]] from [[Italy]] (Masters Division), Hayden McTavish from the [[United States]] (Senior Division), and Brendan Zheng from the [[United States]] (Junior Division). The opening ceremony of the event was attended by [[Junichi Masuda]], the video game designer for the ''Pokémon'' franchise and a member of the board of directors of [[Game Freak]].

The finals match of the Masters division is best known and remembered within the Pokémon community for [[Se Jun Park]]'s victory with the inclusion and use of a [[Pachirisu]] on his team.

=== 2014 qualification ===
The qualification process for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships was primarily based on Championship Points accumulated by players from official Play! Pokémon tournaments such as Premier Challenges, Regional Championships and National Championships. In addition, the top 4 players of the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in each division, and the top 4 players of a tournament known as the 'Last Chance Qualifier' will also receive an invitation to play in the World Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/info/roadtoworlds/|title=The Road to Worlds|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

The invitations for the Masters Division of the tournament were distributed in the following manner:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/info/vg-invitees/|title=2014 Pokémon Video Game World Championships Invitees|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

* '''Top 4''' players from the 2013 Pokémon World Championships,
* '''Top 32''' players from [[Europe]] with the most Championship Points,
* '''Top 16''' players from [[North America]] with the most Championship Points, 
* '''Top 4''' players from [[Australia]] with the most Championship Points,
* '''Top 2''' players from [[South Africa]] with the most Championship Points,
* '''Top 8''' players from the [[Japan]] National Championships,
* '''Top 2''' players from the [[South Korea]] National Championships, and
* '''Top 4''' players from the '''Last Chance Qualifier''', a tournament held the day before the World Championships in the same venue.

Most of the invitations did not include a fully paid trip to the tournament, and as a result several players could not attend the tournament.

=== 2014 tournament structure ===
==== Players per country ====
*Masters Division <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/results/vg/#2_9_1|title=Tournament Results|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Country !! Zone !! # of Players
|-
| {{USA}} || [[North America]] || 22
|-
| {{GER}} || [[Europe]] || 10
|-
| {{UK}} || Europe || 7
|-
| {{JPN}}|| Japan || 7
|-
| {{AUS}} || Australia || 4
|-
| {{ITA}} || Europe || 3
|-
| {{ESP}} || Europe || 2
|-
| {{KOR}} || South Korea || 2
|-
| {{ZAF}} || South Africa || 1
|-
| {{CAN}} || North America || 1
|-
| {{IRL}} || Europe || 1
|}

==== Results ====
Six rounds of Swiss was played by 60 players in the tournament, and each round was played with a set of best-of-three matches. The top 8 players after the Swiss rounds advances to the best-of-three Single Elimination matches.

The defending World Champion Arash Ommati and former three-time World Champion [[Ray Rizzo]] did not advance to the single elimination rounds.

*Masters Division <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/results/vg/#2_0_0|title=Tournament Results|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

{{8TeamBracket

| RD1         =
| RD2         = 
| RD3         =

| group1      =
| group2      =

| seed-width  = 
| team-width  = 
| score-width =

| RD1-seed1   = 1
| RD1-team1   = {{flagicon|JPN}} Ryosuke Kosuge
| RD1-score1  = 1
| RD1-seed2   = 8
| RD1-team2   = '''{{flagicon|GER}} Markus Liu'''
| RD1-score2  = '''2'''

| RD1-seed3   = 5
| RD1-team3   = '''{{flagicon|USA}} Jeudy Azzarelli'''
| RD1-score3  = '''2'''
| RD1-seed4   = 4
| RD1-team4   = {{flagicon|UK}} Lee Provost
| RD1-score4  = 0

| RD1-seed5   = 3
| RD1-team5   = {{flagicon|ESP}} Miguel Marti de la Torre
| RD1-score5  = 0
| RD1-seed6   = 6 
| RD1-team6   = '''{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Park Se-jun|Sejun Park]]'''
| RD1-score6  = '''2'''

| RD1-seed7   = 7
| RD1-team7   = {{flagicon|AUS}} Dayne O'Meara
| RD1-score7  = 0
| RD1-seed8   = '''2'''
| RD1-team8   = '''{{flagicon|USA}} Collin Heier'''
| RD1-score8  = 2

| RD2-seed1   = 8
| RD2-team1   = {{flagicon|GER}} Markus Liu
| RD2-score1  = 0
| RD2-seed2   = 5
| RD2-team2   = '''{{flagicon|USA}} Jeudy Azzarelli'''
| RD2-score2  = '''2'''

| RD2-seed3   = 6
| RD2-team3   = '''{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Park Se-jun|Sejun Park]]'''
| RD2-score3  = '''2'''
| RD2-seed4   = 2
| RD2-team4   = {{flagicon|USA}} Collin Heier
| RD2-score4  = 0

| RD3-seed1   = 5
| RD3-team1   = {{flagicon|USA}} Jeudy Azzarelli
| RD3-score1  = 0
| RD3-seed2   = 6
| RD3-team2   = '''{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Park Se-jun|Sejun Park]]'''
| RD3-score2  = '''2'''
}}

=== Final standings ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Place !! Masters Division !! Senior Division<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/results/vg/#1_0_1|title=Tournament Results|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> !! Junior Division<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2014/results/vg/#0_9_0|title=Tournament Results|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:gold;"| 1st  ||{{flagicon|KOR}} [[Se Jun Park]] ||{{flagicon|USA}} Nikolai Zielinski ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Kota Yamamoto
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:silver;"| 2nd ||{{flagicon|USA}} Jeudy Azzarelli ||{{flagicon|UK}} Mark Mcquillan ||{{flagicon|USA}} London Swan
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#c96;"| 3rd ||{{flagicon|USA}} Collin Heier ||{{flagicon|ESP}} Eric Rios ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Haruka Narita 
|-
|  style="text-align:center" | 4th ||{{flagicon|GER}} Markus Liu ||{{flagicon|USA}} Ian McLaughlin ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Riku Miyoshi
|}

== 2015 World Championships ==
{{Infobox sport tournament
| name =  2015 Pokémon World Championships
| year = 2015
| image =

| caption = 
| location = [[Boston]], [[Massachusetts]]
| start_date = August 21
| end_date = 23
| administrator = [[Play! Pokémon]]
| tournament_format = [[Swiss-system tournament|Swiss rounds]], [[Single-elimination tournament|knock-out finals]]
| host = 
| venue = [[Hynes Convention Center]]
| participants = 
| purse = $500,000 in [[scholarship]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/world-championships/|title=Pokémon World Championships|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>
| champions = {{flagicon|JPN}} Shoma Honami (Masters) <br /> {{flagicon|UK}} Mark McQuillan (Seniors) <br />  {{flagicon|JPN}} Kotone Yasue (Juniors)
| runners-up1 = {{flagicon|JPN}} Hideyuki Taida (Masters) <br /> {{flagicon|JPN}} Koki Honda (Seniors) <br /> {{nowrap|{{flagicon|KOR}} Ryan Jaehyun Park (Juniors)}}
| runners-up2 = <!-- or | runner-up2 = -->
| matches = 
| points =
| tries = 
| goals = 
| attendance =  
| stat1_label =
| stat1 =
| stat2_label =
| stat2 =
| previous = [[#2014 World Championships|2014]]
| next = [[#2016 World Championships|2016]]
}}

The '''2015 Pokémon World Championships''' was the seventh  annual edition of the championships. The event was held alongside the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]] World Championships at the [[Hynes Convention Center]] in [[Boston]], Massachusetts.<ref name="pokemon.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/vg-world-championships/|title=Pokémon VG World Championships|work=pokemon.com|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

The tournament was transmitted with live streaming from the official Pokémon [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] channel. The defending Video Game champions for the year were [[Se Jun Park]] from [[South Korea]] (Masters Division), Nikolai Zielinsky from the [[United States]] (Senior Division) and Kota Yamamoto from [[Japan]] (Junior Division).

=== 2015 qualification ===
Players could only gain an invitation to play in the Video Game World Championships by either being the [[2014 Pokémon World Championships|2014 Pokémon World Champions]], or by obtaining enough Championship Points in their respective geographic zone designated by [[Play! Pokémon]]. However, the only exception to this rule are for players from Japan and South Korea, as their tournaments are not overseen by Play! Pokémon and their invites are governed through a different system of qualification.

Since 2014, players were able to earn Championship Points from various tournaments within their geographical region. The tournaments vary in scale, ranging from local Premier Challenges to state-level Regional Championships and finally the large-scale National Championships. The number of points awarded varies with scale, and players who earn these points are ranked and divided into zones such as North America, Europe and South Africa. This year, two new zones (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were introduced.

The 2015 Pokémon Video Game World Championship was intended to be played under two Swiss tournaments and one single-elimination tournament which would then determine the 2015 World Champions. As such, there are two types of invites:
* a regular 'Day One' invite, and
* a 'Day Two' invite, which allows players to receive a bye for the Swiss tournament on the first day.

As an example, the invitations for the Masters Division were distributed as follows:<ref name="pokemon.com"/>
* 'Day One' invitation (by Championship Points): 
**'''Top 40''' players from [[North America]]
**'''Top 60''' players from [[Europe]]
**'''Top 18''' players from [[Latin America]]
**'''Top 18''' players from [[Asia-Pacific]]
**'''Top 2''' players from [[South Africa]]
* 'Day Two' invitation (i.e. 'Day One' bye)
** 2014 World Champion
**'''Top 8''' players from [[North America]] by Championship Points.
**'''Top 16''' players from [[Europe]] by Championship Points.
**'''Top 2''' players from [[Latin America]] by Championship Points.
**'''Top 2''' players from [[Asia-Pacific]] by Championship Points. 
**'''Top 2''' players from [[South Africa]] by Championship Points.
**'''Top 4''' players of the [[South Korea]] Video Game National Championships.
**'''Top 8''' players of the [[Japan]] Video Game National Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nuggetbridge.com/news/japans-path-to-the-2015-pokemon-world-championships-announced/|title=Japan's Path to the 2015 Pokémon World Championships Announced - Nugget Bridge|work=Nugget Bridge|date=14 March 2015 |access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

=== 2015 tournament structure===
The [[Pokémon (video game series)|Video Game]] Championships consisted of two [[Swiss system tournament|Swiss tournaments]] and one single elimination tournament played across three days.

On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye.

At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, the top eight players played in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3).

=== Final standings (Video Game Championships) ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Place !! Junior Division (U13)|| Senior Division (13-16)|| Masters Division (17+)
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:gold;"| 1st  ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Kotone Yasue ||{{flagicon|UK}} Mark Mcquillan ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shoma Honami
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:silver;"| 2nd ||{{flagicon|KOR}} Ryan Jaehyun Park ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Koki Honda ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Hideyuki Taida
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#c96;"| 3rd ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shu Harsaki ||{{flagicon|AUT}} Max Marjanovic  ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Yosuke Isagi 
|-
|  style="text-align:center" | 4th ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shuhei Tsukano ||{{flagicon|USA}} Kylie Chua ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Naohito Mizobuchi
|}

=== Weapons controversy ===
During the 2015 World Championships, two Trading Card Game competitors from [[Iowa]] (Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27) brought weapons in their vehicle, which were recovered by the police. The two posted status updates and images of their weaponry on social media, which were noticed by various ''Pokémon'' fans who treated them as supposed threats against the tournament. The updates were reported to the [[Boston Police Department|Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC)]], who promptly seized their automobile and then stopped them at the door and barred them from entering the Hynes Convention Center on Thursday evening. Police executed a search warrant on Friday and Norton and Stumbo were arrested at their Red Roof Inn room in Saugus just after midnight on Saturday, August 22, 2015.<ref name=GlobeAug23>{{cite news | last1 = Tempera | first1 = Jacqueline | last2 = Sennott | first2 = Adam | title = Threats to Pokémon event were 'real, serious': Iowa pair had guns, knife in car, police say | url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/08/23/police-arrest-two-heavily-armed-men-who-threatened-pokemon-event/F4Ozm06zDSZCXqT0YSpXnK/story.html | newspaper = [[The Boston Globe]] | date = August 23, 2015 | access-date = June 10, 2016}}</ref> The two were arrested on charges of unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, and were initially held without bail.<ref name=GlobeSept01>{{cite news | last1 = Allen | first1 = Evan | last2 = Andersen | first2 = Travis | title = Suspects in alleged Pokémon plot held without bail | url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/09/01/suspects-alleged-pokemon-plot-due-for-court-tuesday/UrTZGcL1RkuMurouAUeGgN/story.html | newspaper = The Boston Globe | date = September 1, 2015 | access-date = June 10, 2016}}</ref> The weapons recovered were a recently purchased [[Remington Arms|Remington]] [[shotgun]], an [[AR-15]], a hunting knife and several hundred rounds of ammunition.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carissimo|first=Justin|title = Pokemon World Championship: Police seize firearms and arrest two men who promised to 'kill the competition'|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/police-seize-firearms-arrest-two-men-who-promised-to-kill-the-competition-at-pokmon-world-championship-10468759.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|location=London|date = 2015-08-23|access-date = 2015-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peng|first=Vanessa|title=Iowans held without bail after social media threats at convention|url=http://www.kcci.com/news/iowans-arrested-for-threatening-pokemon-world-championships/34873594|work=[[KCCI]]|date=2015-08-24|access-date=2015-08-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Claire|title=2 Iowans Arrested in Boston for Threats: Two central Iowa men threatened the Pokemon World Championships|url=http://www.weareiowa.com/news/2-iowans-arrested-in-boston-for-threats|work=[[WOI-DT|WOI TV]]|date=2015-08-23|access-date=2015-08-24}}</ref> They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on November 10, 2015, and their bail was set at $150,000.<ref name=GlobeNov10>{{cite news | last = Rosen | first = Andy | title = Men accused of Pokémon attack plot plead not guilty | url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/11/10/men-due-court-case-that-spurred-pokemon-attack-fears/IVqnzZmf2Eno2WQ2C8sycL/story.html | newspaper = The Boston Globe | date = November 10, 2015 | access-date = June 10, 2016}}</ref> On December 2, 2015, their trial was set for May 9, 2016, however, in early April 2016, their trial was postponed to November 2016.<ref name=AmesTribDec02>{{cite news | last = Schmidt | first = Grayson | title = Trial date set for accused Pokemon gunmen | url = http://amestrib.com/news/trial-date-set-accused-pokemon-gunmen | newspaper = [[Ames Tribune]] | location = [[Ames, Iowa]] | date = December 2, 2015 | access-date = June 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name=AmesTribApril05>{{cite news | last = Schmidt | first = Grayson | title = Trial for Pokemon gunmen delayed until November | url = http://amestrib.com/news/trial-pokemon-gunmen-delayed-until-november | newspaper = Ames Tribune | location = Ames, Iowa | date = April 5, 2016 | access-date = June 10, 2016}}</ref> Following the release of ''[[Pokémon Go]]'' in July 2016, Stumbo's attorney indicated that the case would be resolved soon.<ref>{{cite news | title = Pokemon Go: Wild tales of the video game craze | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/pokemon-go-wildest-tales-from-the-video-game-craze/ | work = [[CBS News]] | date = July 18, 2016 | access-date = July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Hearing postponed in Pokemon competition threat case | url = http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_coverage/2016/07/hearing_postponed_in_pokemon_competition_threat_case | work = [[Boston Herald]] | agency = [[Associated Press]] | date = July 18, 2016 | access-date = July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Manning | first = Allison | title = Pair accused of bringing weapons to Pokemon World Championships last year to appear in court Monday | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pokemon-weapons-2015-boston-men-to-appear-in-court/ | work = [[Boston.com]] | date = July 18, 2016 | access-date = July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Crimesider staff | title = Report: Men to appear in court in 2015 Pokemon weapons case | url = http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pokemon-weapons-2015-boston-men-to-appear-in-court/ | work = CBS News | date = July 18, 2016 | access-date = July 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Beckman | first = Sarah | title = Iowans Accused of Pokemon Event Threats In Court Thursday | url = http://www.weareiowa.com/news/local-news/iowans-accused-of-pokemon-event-threats-in-court-thursday | work = WOI TV | date = July 19, 2016 | access-date = July 19, 2016}}</ref> Norton and Stumbo were later sentenced to two years in prison with an additional two years probation once their prison term ends.<ref name="sentencing">{{cite web|last=Schreier|first=Jason|title=Men Who Brought Guns To Pokémon World Championships Sent To Prison For Two Years|url=http://kotaku.com/men-who-brought-guns-to-pokemon-world-championships-get-1784064479|website=[[Kotaku]]|publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|access-date=July 21, 2016|date=July 21, 2016}}</ref>

== 2016 World Championships ==
{{Infobox sport tournament
| name = 2016 Pokémon World Championships
| year = 2016
| image =
| caption =
| location = [[San Francisco]], [[California]]
| start_date = August 19
| end_date = 21
| administrator = [[Play! Pokémon]]
| tournament_format = [[Swiss-system tournament|Swiss rounds]], [[Single-elimination tournament|knock-out finals]]
| host =
| venue = [[San Francisco Marriott Marquis]]
| participants =
| purse = $500,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/about/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships|work=Play! Pokémon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
| champions = {{flagicon|US}} [[Wolfe Glick]] (VGC Masters) <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|US}} Carson Confer (VGC Seniors) <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br />  {{flagicon|US}} Cory Connor (VGC Juniors) <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|JPN}} Shintaro Ito (TCG Masters) <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|DNK}} Jesper Eriksen (TCG Seniors) <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br />  {{flagicon|JPN}} Shunto Sadahiro (TCG Juniors) <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
| runners-up1 = {{flagicon|US}} Jonathan Evans (VGC Masters) <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Wata (VGC Seniors) <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|JPN}} Shu Harasaki (VGC Juniors) <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|US}} Cody Walinski (TCG Masters) <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|US}} Connor Pederson (TCG Seniors) <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> <br /> {{flagicon|JPN}} Riku Ushirosako (TCG Juniors) <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
| runners-up2 = <!-- or | runner-up2 = -->
| matches =
| points =
| tries =
| goals =
| attendance = 
| stat1_label =
| stat1 =
| stat2_label =
| stat2 =
| previous = [[#2015 World Championships|2015]]
| next = 2017
}}

The '''2016 Pokémon World Championships''' was the eighth  annual edition of the championships. The event was held at the [[San Francisco Marriott Marquis]] in [[San Francisco]], California, from August 19 to August 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/about/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championship|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref>
For the first time in the tournament history, the ''[[Pokkén Tournament]]'' invitational was featured alongside the Video Game Championships (VGC) and Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments. Side events and an official store with event merchandise occurred alongside the event.

The defending Video Game champions were Shoma Honami from [[Japan]] (Masters Division), Mark McQuillan from the [[United Kingdom]] (Senior Division) and Kotone Yasue from Japan (Junior Division).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2015/|title=2015 Pokémon World Championships|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref> The defending Trading Card Game champions were Jacob Van Wagner from the [[United States]] (Masters Division), Patrick Martinez from the United States (Senior Division), and Rowan Stavenow from [[Canada]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2015/|title=2015 Pokémon World Championships|work=Play! Pokémon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>

=== Age divisions and qualifications ===
Both the Pokémon VGC and TCG were divided into three age divisions: the ''Junior Division'' (born 2005 or later), the ''Senior Division'' (born between 2001 and 2004), and the ''Masters Division'' (born 2000 or earlier). For the ''[[Pokkén Tournament]]'' invitational, players were grouped into either the ''Senior Division'' (born 2001 or later) or ''Masters Division'' (born 2000 or earlier).

The process of obtaining an invitation is primarily based on Championship Points.<ref name=POKEMONCP>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-events/pokemon-tournaments/earn-championship-points/|title=Championship Points|work=Play! Pokémon|access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref> Players could earn Championship Points by performing in select online and live tournaments held throughout the 2016 season (between September 2015 and July 2016). Players from Japan and [[South Korea]] were excluded from this rule as these countries had their own method of qualification not based on Championship Points.

[[Play! Pokémon]] divided players into five different rating zones: US and [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Latin America]], [[Asia-Pacific]] and [[South Africa]]. Different zones had different Championship Points requirements due to the distribution of events around the world.

There are two possible invitations players could obtain:
* a regular 'Day One' invite, and
* a 'Day Two' invite, which allowed players to acquire a 'Day One' bye and automatically enter the second Swiss tournament.

'Day Two' invites were usually accompanied by travel awards and stipends paid by Play! Pokémon.

==== Trading Card Game Championship qualifications ====
The following table shows the Championship Points<ref name=POKEMONCP/> requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships:
{| class="wikitable"
! Zones
! Masters Division (17+)
! Senior Division (13-16)
! Junior Division (U13)
! Day Two (Ranking)
|-
|[[US]] and [[Canada]]||300 CP||250 CP||200 CP||Top 16 Players in each division
|-
|[[Europe]]||300 CP||250 CP||200 CP||Top 22 Players in each division
|-
|[[Latin America]]||200 CP||150 CP||100 CP||Top 8 Players in each division
|-
|[[Asia-Pacific]]||200 CP||150 CP||100 CP||Top 8 Players in each division
|-
|[[South Africa]]||200 CP||150 CP||100 CP||None
|-
|}
Players in Japan and South Korea were awarded invitations based on each country's organized play system.

==== Video Game Championship qualifications ====
For the Masters Division, the following table lists the Championship Points requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/vg-competitor-information/|title=2016 Pokémon VG World Championship Competitor Information|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=18 March 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! Zones
! Day One
! Day Two (Ranking)
|-
|[[US]] and [[Canada]]||350 CP||Top 8 of the Zone
|-
|[[Europe]]||275 CP||Top 16 of the Zone
|-
|[[Latin America]]||150 CP||Top 4 of the Zone
|-
|[[Asia-Pacific]]||200 CP||Top 4 of the Zone
|-
|[[South Africa]]||400 CP||None
|-
|}

=== 2016 tournament structure ===
The Video Game Championships consisted of two Swiss tournaments and one single elimination tournament played across three days.

On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye.

At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, players with two or fewer losses advanced to play in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3).<ref name=WCSStandings>{{cite web|url=http://assets.pokemon.com/standings/us/worlds/2016/vg/#9_0_0|title=2016 Pokemon World Championships Standings|work=Video Game World Championships Results|access-date=11 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==== Final standings (Video Game Championships) ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Place !! Junior Division (U13) || Senior Division (13-16) || Masters Division (17+)
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:gold;"| 1st  ||{{flagicon|US}} Cory Connor <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Carson Confer <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Wolfe Glick <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:silver;"| 2nd ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shu Harasaki <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuki Wata <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Jonathan Evans <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#c96;"| 3rd ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Rikuto Noda <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Mostafa Afr <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|GER}} Markus Stadter <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center" | 4th ||{{flagicon|US}} Enzo Reci <ref name=JuniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Kazuki Ogushi <ref name=SeniorsVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|POR}} Eduardo Cunha <ref name=MastersVG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/teams/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Teams|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|}

==== Final standings (Trading Card Game) ====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Place !! Junior Division (U13) || Senior Division (13-16) || Masters Division (17+)
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:gold;"| 1st  ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shunto Sadahiro <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|DEN}} Jesper Eriksen <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Shintaro Ito <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:silver;"| 2nd ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Riku Ushirosako <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Connor Pedersen <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Cody Walinski <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#c96;"| 3rd ||{{flagicon|US}} Roan Godfrey-Robbins <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|INA}} Rafli Attar <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Samuel Hough <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|-
|  style="text-align:center" | 4th ||{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Ozawa <ref name=JuniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/juniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Junior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|BRA}} Raphael Souto <ref name=SeniorsTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/seniors/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Senior Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> ||{{flagicon|US}} Ross Cawthon <ref name=MastersTCG>{{cite web|url=http://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/worlds/2016/decks/masters/|title=2016 Pokémon World Championships Masters Division Top Cut Decks|work=Play! Pokemon|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref>
|}

<!-- ==2017 World Championships== -->

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Pokémon video games series}}
{{Esports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pokémon World Championships}}
[[Category:Nintendo events]]
[[Category:Pokémon|World Championships]]
[[Category:Recurring sporting events established in 2004]]
[[Category:World championships in esports]]
[[Category:World championships in card games]]