Badges and Registration
Where and when can I buy my badge?
Badges for the North America International Championships can be purchased when registration opens, while quantities last. You can find the registration link on our Event Locator page.
How do I get my badge?
Badges for this event will be picked up on-site. For all Masters Division players and Senior Division Pokémon GO and Pokkén Tournament DX players, check-in and badge pickup will be on Thursday, June 23, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Junior and Senior Division Pokémon TCG and VGC (Video Game Championships) players may pick up badges starting on Thursday, June 23.
Badge pickup times are as follows:
Thursday, June 23, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the C Pod meeting rooms across from Hall C.
Friday, June 24, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. outside of Hall C.
Saturday, June 25, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. outside of Hall C.
Sunday, June 26, 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. outside of Hall C.
More information can be found on the main North America International Championships information page.
All badges for the tournament I was attempting to register for are sold out. Can I get a badge on-site?
No additional badges will be available on-site due to various operational restrictions. To find out if additional badges become available, please check the North America International Championships page for the latest updates.
Do I have to wear my badge?
Yes. All attendees must visibly wear their badge throughout the duration of the event. Anyone in the venue without a badge may be asked to leave.
What do I need to bring to pick up my badge?
Competitors must provide their name, Player ID number, and some form of identification to pick up their competitor badge. For Junior and Senior Division players, a parent or guardian must be present when they pick up their competitor badge. Badges may not be picked up by another person on a player’s behalf.
What happens if I lose my badge?
Please come to the Customer Service desk on-site at the event for more information and further steps.
Why am I providing my birthdate to register?
Your birthdate is required to make sure you play in the correct age division for the event you are attempting to register for. Without the ability to confirm your birthdate, you cannot register online for any event.
Will I receive anything for my purchase through the mail or in advance of the event?
You will not receive any physical items before the event takes place. You will, however, receive email confirmation that your registration for this event was successful. This email will help you check in on-site for the event and receive the badge you have registered for.
When will I receive my Travel Award or Travel Stipend for this event?
Travel Awards to the North America International Championships are awarded in advance of the event. Travel Stipends to the North America International Championships are awarded after the tournament, so long as a player who qualifies for this Travel Stipend plays in at least one round of the Main Event that they qualified for a Travel Stipend in. Players who earned Travel Awards or Stipends for the North America International Championships should receive an email before the event informing them of the Travel Award or Stipend they have earned. Additional information on Travel Awards or Stipends can be viewed on the International Championships information page.
Venue
How are you handling COVID-19 safety?
The Play! Pokémon COVID-19 Protocols can be found here.
Is there a lost and found?
Yes! Lost and found is housed on-site at the event’s Information Booth. After the event concludes, you will need to contact the venue to retrieve any items you may have misplaced. Lost and Found requests can be sent to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Are wheelchairs or disability accessibility available?
The Greater Columbus Convention Center provides a variety of accessibility services including mobile scooter rental. Accessible entrances to the venue can be found using the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s interactive map. Additionally, should you require assigned seating or other accommodations to play in the event, please submit a Support Ticket to our Customer Service team outlining any accommodations you may need.
Will photography or video be taken at this event?
Yes. Photography and video are permitted to be taken in the hall for personal use only. Professional video coverage and photography by TPCi and its partners will be taken as well.
Are media passes available for this event?
If you are interested in receiving a media pass for this event, please submit a ticket to our Customer Service team for additional information.
What items are prohibited in the hall?
To ensure the safety of all attendees, the following items will not be permitted into the event:
Items that could be considered “weapons” and would not pass airline security (including all firearms, sharp objects, mock or prop weapons, and sprays)
Electronic smoking devices
Bags larger than 9" x 14" x 22" (23 cm x 36 cm x 56 cm). If an airline would not classify it as a carry-on, it is too big.
Alcoholic beverages or any illegal substance
Apparel, objects, or signs with explicit wording or pictures
Animals (other than service animals)
All bags are subject to search upon entry to the event, and security retains the right to refuse entry.
Am I allowed to cosplay in the venue?
Yes! We love seeing our fans cosplay as their favorite characters and Pokémon from across the Pokémon franchise. Please note that all costumes must be appropriate for all ages and must not include any prohibited items.
Can I buy, sell, or trade cards on-site?
Trading cards with other players is always a major draw of the game, and we welcome players to do so at our tournaments. Approved vendors will be on-site that you may buy or sell from. TPCi is not responsible for transactions made with on-site vendors. Buying from or selling cards to an unapproved vendor is strictly prohibited at the event and may lead to expulsion from the venue.
Can I vape or use an e-cigarette inside the venue?
No. Use of e-cigarettes or vaping products is not permitted inside the venue at the North America International Championships.
What is the Code of Conduct for this event?
View the Play! Pokémon Standards of Conduct for all Championship Series events.
Main Event
Do I need to register online for my event?
Yes. Online registration for any main event is required to participate. Registration can be found on our North America International Championships Registration page.
Can I get a refund after registering (for events, badges, etc.)?
Refunds for badges are not available for this event. If circumstances change before the event begins and you will be unable to attend, please submit a support ticket to the RK9 support team.
What are the prizes for this event?
Full breakdowns of prizes and Championship Points for each event can be found here:
In what format is this event held?
Information on each main event’s format can be found here:
How many rounds is this event?
The number of Swiss rounds for Pokémon TCG and VGC will be determined by attendance, with play split over up to two days. Top 8 play will continue into Sunday. Information on the number of expected rounds can be found in our Play! Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook, page 24.
Pokémon GO and Pokkén Tournament DX competitors will play double-elimination rounds over one or two days based on the number of players in attendance, with Grand Finals to finish by Saturday.
How will the cut to day two be handled for the Swiss tournaments?
All Pokémon TCG and VGC players with 19 or more match points, or the Top 32 ranked players (whichever number is greater), will advance to day two of Swiss rounds. After the day two rounds are completed, the Top 8 players will advance to a single-elimination bracket to determine the winner of each event.
How do I submit my deck list or team list for this event?
Deck lists or team lists must be submitted through RK9 by 8:15 a.m. on the first day of the event. Any lists not submitted on time may result in a Round 1 loss. For information on how to submit your list for the event, see RK9’s support article for deck lists or for team lists.
Will power charging stations for my personal devices be available on-site?
Players are responsible for bringing needed chargers, adapters, and/or external batteries to maintain the charge of their personal devices as needed to play in their events. Please note that for Pokémon GO players, two-factor authentication using a personal device may be required to log in to phones for play in their events.
When do I need to be present for Battle Team Locking for the VGC?
Masters Division players’ Battle Team locking opens at 8:15 a.m. EDT on Friday, June 24. Junior and Senior Division players’ Battle Team locking opens at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, June 25. Battle Team locking will close on both days at 8:45 a.m. Players who are not in line to lock their Battle Teams by 8:45 a.m. on their respective days may receive a Round One loss in their tournament, so please plan to be in line for Battle Team locking before 8:45 a.m. on the date of your event.
Can I transfer my registration to another player?
No. Registration is locked to the specific player who registered for an event. If circumstances change before the event begins and you will be unable to attend, please submit a ticket to the RK9 support team.
What should I bring to this event to participate?
Each of our events has different requirements. Please see the links below for the Main Event you plan to participate in:
Pokémon TCG: Your deck as registered for the tournament, damage and condition markers, a coin or coin-flip-legal die, and a pen to fill out your match slip. Card sleeves are strongly encouraged. Optional items include a playmat and a notepad for taking notes during the event.
Will meal breaks be taken at this event?
Yes. Each tournament will have one meal break per day. Exact timing for each event’s meal break will be announced on-site for each event.
Will there be live coverage for this event?
Yes! Coverage for this event will take place over Twitch and YouTube throughout the weekend. Please check the North America International Championships hub page for more details as they become available.
Side Events
How do I register for side events?
Registration for side events must be done on-site. Please look for the on-site registration area for more information on registering for side events.
What side events are offered at this event?
Specific information on side events will be posted online on the main North America International Championships information page.
Will side events award Championship Points?
There will be no side events that offer Championship Points at this event.
What prizes will be awarded at side events?
Players can earn prize tickets, which can then be used for various prizes available at our on-site prize wall. Additional information on the prize wall can be found on-site at the North America International Championships.
Food, Lodging, and Transportation
What hotels are closest to the venue?
Here is a map of nearby hotels to the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Where can I get food at this event?
Here is a map of nearby food venues to the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Food is also available inside the convention center in the South Café or other nearby districts. Eating at the Greater Columbus Convention Center must take place in designated eating spaces.
Where is the closest airport to the venue?
The airport closest to the Greater Columbus Convention Center is the John Glenn Columbus International Airport (code CMH), which is approximately a 10-minute car ride from the venue. Get full travel information details.
Where can I park at the venue?
There are multiple parking garages within a short walk of the Greater Columbus Convention Center. See a full list of parking options. Attendees are responsible for any fees associated with parking at this event.
Additional Questions
What should I do if I have additional questions?
Our Customer Service team is available to assist with questions not covered in this FAQ. If you have additional questions, please contact the Customer Service team directly.
