Registration for this event is open to all players in good standing with the Play! Pokémon program. Players must have an active Play! Pokémon account with current and accurate information. If there's an issue with your account, it must be reported to customer service before June 15, 2018.
This competition will use the 2018 Video Game Championships Format. Players will compete using Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon; all regions and language versions of the games are permitted. Players' Nintendo 3DS systems need to be updated with the most recent patch and software version. Players who wish to compete must comply with the Tournament Rules.
Masters Division players will begin play on Friday and compete using a two-day Swiss format, followed by single-elimination rounds.
Junior and Senior Division players will compete in Swiss rounds on Saturday, followed by single-elimination Top 8 rounds on Sunday.
When you show up at a Pokémon video game tournament, you must bring:
A copy (physical or digital) of Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems with the latest game patch installed.
A fully charged New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, or New Nintendo 2DS XL system.
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 or adapters available for loan.
Prizes
Players at the 2018 Pokémon VGC North America International Championships will be competing for Championship Points and prizes. The final Championship Point payout is determined by the number of players per age division. All participants will receive 5 Play! Points and a Pokémon International Championships promo card (while supplies last) just for playing!
Championship Points
| Placement | Championship Points | Kicker (# of participants) |
| 1 | 500 | 0 |
| 2 | 400 | 0 |
| 3–4 | 320 | 0 |
| 5–8 | 250 | 0 |
| 9–16 | 200 | 48 |
| 17–32 | 160 | 100 |
| 33–64 | 130 | 200 |
| 65–128 | 100 | 400 |
| 129–256 | 80 | 800 |
| 257–512 | 60 | 1600 |
Championship Point values are subject to change.
Prize Award Information
Prizes will be awarded to the top players in each of the three age divisions. Players must have a Pokémon Trainer Club account with a Player ID attached, and must have opted in to the Play! Pokémon program to earn points and awards.
The format of each prize is dependent on the age of the recipient. Here are the International Championships prizes for the 2018 Play! Pokémon Championship Series season.
Awards valued at $5,000 and higher:
Participants 18 and older receive a choice of cash or scholarship
Participants under 18 receive a choice of scholarship or Visa® Gift Card
Awards valued under $5,000:
Participants 18 and older receive cash
Participants under 18 receive a Visa Gift Card
Pokémon Video Game International Championships Award Values
Prizes are based on attendance per age division. 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 | 1–100 attendees | 101–200 attendees | 201+ attendees |
| 1 | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000 |
| 2 | $1,000 | $1,500 | $2,500 |
| 3–4 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| 5–8 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 9–16 | — | $500 | $750 |
| 17–32 | — | — | $500 |
Prizes and prize distribution may be subject to change.
Additionally, the top 16 video game players will receive Pokémon TCG booster packs, regardless of attendance.
1st–4th place: 72 booster packs
5th–8th place: 36 booster packs
9th–16th place: 18 booster packs
