Masters Division Pokémon Trainers competing in the second Pokémon Players Cup for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will battle through several tournament phases. Battles in each phase will adhere to current Pokémon Video Game Championships rules.
In the first phase, players will compete to maximize their placement in the Pokémon Players Cup II Qualifier, which will take place from Thursday, September 24, 2020, at 5:00 p.m. PDT through Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 4:59 p.m. PDT. The top players by rating zone—after removing ineligible players—will advance to be able to register for the Pokémon Players Cup II Region Qualifiers. Players will need to link their Nintendo Account to their Pokémon Trainer Club account before the competition to be eligible.
Registration for the Pokémon Players Cup II Qualifier is open now on Nintendo Switch!
Players Advancing from the Pokémon Players Cup II Qualifier
North America rating zone (US and Canada): 256 players
Europe rating zone (Europe): 256 players
Latin America rating zone (Latin America and Caribbean): 256 players
Oceania rating zone (Oceania): 128 players
The Oceania rating zone comprises only Australia and New Zealand.
In November, these players will compete in a Region Qualifier within their region (based on rating zone, excluding South Africa and Russia). Each Region Qualifier will be a separate double-elimination bracket taking place over two weekends so that play times can be optimized by rating zone. Players will be required to register their team online before the first Region Qualifier date and will need an account with both Discord and Battlefy to participate.
Matches will be best of three and will use the Ranked Battles rules. Specific details on rules and report times will be available closer to the event.
The full tournament rules are available here.
Pokémon Players Cup II Region Qualifier Schedule
November 7: Double-elimination bracket play until 16 players remain in each region
November 14: Bracket play continues until 4 players remain in each region
Pokémon Players Cup II Global Finals
The Global Finals will include 16 players—4 from each Region Qualifier. The finals will be a new double-elimination bracket, and players will be able to submit a new team list. The Global Finals will be played on December 5 at a time to be determined and sent to finalists via email.
Pokémon Players Cup II Eligibility
The following players will not be eligible to participate in the Regional Online Qualifiers.
Players who were born in 2005 or later (Junior and Senior Divisions, based on the 2021 season)
Players who reside outside countries supported by the following Play! Pokémon rating zones: North America (US and Canada), Europe, Latin America, and Oceania
Players who have not opted in to the Play! Pokémon Terms of Use
Players who are unable to abide by the VGC tournament rules
Additional eligibility rules may apply.
*All details, including rules, dates, and eligibility are subject to change.
