The Pokémon World Championships host a full schedule of side events open to all attendees who have an official event badge, regardless of whether you’re playing in the main event. Come battle for a variety of awesome prizes in Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video game, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon GO competitions throughout the weekend. It’s a great opportunity to play with Trainers from around the world.
Trading Card Game players can jump into Standard format pickup games or Build & Battle tournaments, take on the single-pack and four-pack versions of Ditto Draft, team up with a friend in the Team Format, or join forces with a group and take on an oversize Raid Format boss. Those looking for a singular challenge can test their mettle in the Gym Leader Challenge, where each Expanded format deck can include Pokémon of only one type, and only a single copy of any card other than basic Energy. For the Gym Leader Challenge at this event, players may use any tournament-legal card regardless of which language it is printed in. For details on all of these formats, make sure to check out the new Pokémon TCG Alternative Play Handbook on the Rules & Resources page!
Fans of Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield who have brought their own Nintendo Switch system and game can get in the action with pickup games all weekend or take part in one of three different tournament formats. Spikemuth Doubles uses the Series 12 rules but takes it a step further, prohibiting the Series 12 restricted list and outlawing Dynamaxing! The Catch Cup gives players just 30 minutes to catch and train a new team, limited to a specific area in the game, before jumping into a three-round tournament. Lastly, Malamar Cup takes the tournament and turns it on its head, as players must play with their Nintendo Switch held upside down the entire time.
Pokkén Tournament DX side event pods will be in the Team Battle format, but we’re taking this to the next level with both King of the Hill and Crew Battle events. Sign your crew up in groups of 3, with each of you controlling one Pokémon on the team, and face off against rival groups. When your Pokémon faints, the next teammate takes over the controller. If you think you’re tough enough to go it alone, King of the Hill sees the winner of the round get to stay and take on a new opponent. Points are earned for each win, and there’s even a bonus for those who manage to reach the maximum win streak. All side events will be held in the Pokkén Tournament DX area of the hall.
For those who prefer a smaller screen, Pokémon GO events will be held throughout the weekend. Whether you enjoy battling other players or conducting Field Research, we have a variety of chances for you to get involved. Our popular scavenger hunt activity from the North America International Championships is making a return, with a modified task list to get you into the spirit of the event.
Finally, making its triumphant debut, Pokémon UNITE will jump from the main stage to side events on Sunday. For those looking to get into this new way to experience Pokémon, make sure to come by and talk with our Professors, who can walk you through downloading the game and give tips to help get you into the action.
For more information on each of these formats, please refer to the appropriate schedules and event details below.
All times BST. Times are subject to change. Registration for side events will close approximately one hour before side events end.
Pokémon TCG Side Events
Thursday, August 18
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Standard |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Ditto Draft, Single Booster |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. |
Ditto Draft, Four Boosters |
£20 |
| 12:30 p.m. |
Team Format |
£5 per person |
| 2 p.m. |
Build & Battle |
£20 |
| 2 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
| 6 p.m. |
Ditto Draft, Four Boosters |
£20 |
| 6:30 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
Friday, August 19
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Standard |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Standard, Juniors only |
Free |
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Ditto Draft, Single Booster |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. |
Gym Leader Challenge |
£5 |
| 10:30 a.m. |
Ditto Draft Four Boosters |
£20 |
| 1 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
| 2 p.m. |
Team Format |
£5 per person |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Build & Battle |
£20 |
| 4 p.m. |
Ditto Draft, Four Boosters |
£20 |
| 4 p.m. |
Gym Leader Challenge |
£5 |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
| 6 p.m. |
Build & Battle |
£20 |
| 6:30 p.m. |
Raid Format |
£5 per person |
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Standard |
£5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Standard, Juniors only |
Free |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Ditto Draft, Single Booster |
£5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Raid Format |
£5 per person |
| 9 a.m. |
Build & Battle |
£20 |
| 9:30 a.m. |
Team Format |
£5 per person |
| 10 a.m. |
Gym Leader Challenge |
£5 |
| 12 p.m. |
Ditto Draft, Four Boosters |
£20 |
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Video Game Side Events
Thursday, August 18
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Series 12 |
£5 |
| 11 a.m. |
Catch Cup—Routes 7, 8, 9 |
£5 |
| 3:30 p.m. |
Spikemuth Doubles |
£5 |
Friday, August 19
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Series 12 |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Series 12, Juniors only |
Free |
| 12 p.m. |
Malamar Cup |
£5 |
| 4:30 p.m. |
Catch Cup—Routes 3, 4, 5 |
£5 |
Saturday, August 20
Sunday, August 21
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Series 12 |
£5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Series 12, Juniors only |
Free |
| 9 a.m. |
Spikemuth Doubles |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. |
Malamar Cup |
£5 |
Pokkén Tournament DX Side Events
Thursday, August 18
Saturday, August 20
| 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Basic Battle |
£5 |
| 11 a.m. |
King of the Hill |
£5 |
| 3 p.m. |
Crew Battle |
£5 per player |
Sunday, August 21
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Basic Battle |
£5 |
| 9:30 a.m. |
King of the Hill |
£5 |
Pokémon GO Side Events
Thursday, August 18
Friday, August 19
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Scavenger Hunt Activity |
£5 |
| 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Great League |
£5 |
Saturday, August 20
| 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Scavenger Hunt Activity |
£5 |
| 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Great League |
£5 |
Sunday, August 21
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Scavenger Hunt Activity |
£5 |
| 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. |
Pickup Pods—Great League |
£5 |
Pokémon UNITE Side Events
Sunday, August 21
| 10 a.m. |
Learn to Play |
Free |
