Badges and Registration
Do I need to register online for the Pokémon World Championships?
Yes. Even if you are qualified for the World Championships, you are still required to complete registration for your event. You can find more information on how to register for the World Championships on the World Championships Registration page. Players participating in the World Championships will receive a Player Badge as part of their registration for the event.
Where and when can I buy a spectator badge?
Spectator badges for the World Championships can be purchased when registration opens, while quantities last. You can find the registration link on the World Championships information page.
How do I get my badge?
Badges for this event will be picked up on-site. For all World Championships players in all age divisions (including the Pokémon TCG, VGC, Pokémon GO, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon UNITE), check-in and badge pickup will be Wednesday, August 17, at ExCeL London in Hall N22. Spectator badges can be picked up at any point during the event while the badge pickup area is open.
Badge pickup times are as follows inside ExCeL London:
Wednesday, August 17, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday, August 18, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, August 19, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, August 20, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 21, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
More information can be found on the main World Championships information page.
How will the World Championships be played over four days?
To accommodate all the players coming to London for this event and to celebrate the return of the World Championships, play for all featured titles will be stretched across several days of the event period. Please see the links below for more information on each of the World Championships held this weekend to know how your event will be run.
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VGC (Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield)
All Spectator badges for the World Championships are sold out. Can I get a badge on-site?
Due to demand, badges may not be made available during the weekend. If limited quantities of spectator badges become available, additional spectator badges may be released for online purchase during the weekend that can be picked up on-site. No advance notice for these badges will be provided, and any quantity will be limited.
Do I have to wear my badge?
Yes. All attendees must visibly wear their badge for 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.
Can I get a refund after registering (for events, badges, etc.)?
Refunds for badges and events 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.
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.
Last Chance Qualifiers and the London Open
Will there be any Last Chance Qualifiers for the World Championships?
Last Chance Qualifiers for Pokémon GO and Pokkén Tournament DX will take place on Thursday, August 18, to allow players a last chance to earn a spot in the main event. See the links below for information on the Last Chance Qualifiers for the World Championships:
Will there be a London Open at this year’s World Championships?
Yes! We will be holding a London Open at this year’s World Championships to give our TCG and VGC (Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield) players a chance to earn Championship Points at the beginning of the 2023 season. Information on the London Open will be available on the World Championships information page.
Main Event
What are the prizes for this event?
Full breakdowns of prizes 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:
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:
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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.
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VGC (Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield)
Will meal breaks be taken at this event?
Yes, Pokémon TCG and VGC events will have a meal break on Thursday and Friday. Exact timing for each event’s meal break will be announced on-site for each event. Due to the tournament format for Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokkén Tournament DX, no meal breaks are planned.
Will there be live coverage for this event?
Yes! Coverage for this event will take place on Pokémon’s official Twitch channels throughout the weekend. Please check the World Championships hub page for more details as they become available.
How do I submit my deck list or team list for this event?
TCG Deck lists or VGC team lists must be submitted through RK9.
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All Pokémon TCG competitors with Day One invitations must submit their deck list online with the RK9 Labs Deck List Creator by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18.
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Pokémon TCG deck lists for players competing on Day Two must be submitted online with the RK9 Labs Deck List Creator by 8:45 a.m. on Friday, August 19. Players who advance from Day One to Day Two may submit a new deck list through RK9. Any new deck lists must be submitted by 8:45 a.m.
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VGC Day One players must lock their Battle Teams and submit their team list online with the RK9 Labs Team List Creator by 8 p.m. during Wednesday check-in.
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VGC Day Two players must submit their team list online with the RK9 Labs Team List Creator and be in line ready to have their Battle Teams locked by 8:15 a.m.
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Pokémon GO Team Lists are due by 3 p.m. on Thursday (the end of Thursday check-in). Information concerning Pokémon GO Team List Submission will be updated at a later time.
Deck or team lists that are turned in late may result in a Round 1 loss in their respective event or players being dropped from their event. 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?
All VGC players playing in Day One are expected to lock their Battle Teams during check-in on Wednesday, August 17, from 5–8 p.m. Players who are not in line to lock their Battle Teams by 8 p.m. are expected to arrive as early as possible on Thursday to lock their Battle Team. There is no guarantee of entry for players who check in late, and should a late entry be allowed by tournament officials, it may include a penalty of a first-round loss.
Players who make Day Two must be in line ready to have their Battle Teams locked by 8:15 a.m. on Friday, August 19. Players not in line to lock their teams may be dropped from the event, so please plan to be in line for Battle Team locking before 8:15 a.m. on Friday for Day Two play.
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 Customer Service Booth. After the event concludes, you will need to contact the venue to retrieve any items you may have misplaced. Lost property requests can be sent to NotLost, ExCeL London’s lost property partner, by filling out this form.
Are wheelchairs or disability accessibility services available?
ExCeL London provides a variety of accessibility services including wheelchair and mobile scooter hire. Information on those services can be found at this link. 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 also 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:
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Items that could be considered "weapons" and would not pass airline security (including all firearms, sharp objects, mock or prop weapons, and sprays)
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Electronic smoking devices
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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.
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Alcoholic beverages or any illegal substance
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Apparel, objects, or signs with explicit wording or pictures
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Animals (other than service animals)
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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. Additionally, the Pokémon Center will have a pop-up store selling items exclusive to the World Championships. Reservations are required to visit the Pokémon Center, and reservations can be made here. There are no other approved vendors on-site that you may buy or sell from. 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 World Championships.
What is the Code of Conduct for this event?
The Play! Pokémon Standards of Conduct for all Championship Series events can be found here.
Side Events
How do I register for side events?
Registration for side events can 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 World Championships information page.
Will side events award Championship Points?
Only the London Open will award Championship Points at this event. Information on the London Open can be found here.
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 World Championships.
Food/Housing/Transportation
What hotels are closest to the venue?
Here is a map of nearby hotels to the ExCeL Center.
Where can I get food at this event?
Here is a map of nearby food venues to the ExCeL Center. Food offerings in the ExCeL Center can be viewed here. Eating must take place in designated eating spaces if eating at the ExCeL Center.
Where is the closest airport to the venue?
The international airport closest to the ExCeL Center is Heathrow Airport (code LHR), which is approximately a 1-hour car ride or 30-minute train ride from the venue. Full travel information details can be found here.
Where is the closest train station to the venue?
There are multiple train lines that service the ExCeL Center, including the Elizabeth Line directly from Heathrow Airport, stops on the London Underground, and national train lines provided by c2c and Eurostar. Full rail travel information can be found here.
Where can I park at the venue?
There are multiple parking garages within a short walk of the ExCeL Center. Attendees driving to this event should use postcode E16 1XL to find the ExCeL Center. A full list of parking options can be found here. 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 them at this link.
