You can compete against other players in the Pokémon GO Championship Series! The 2025 Championship Series season began in July 2024, and it ends with the Pokémon World Championships in August 2025. The Championship Series invites Pokémon fans of all kinds and all skill levels to take part in the fun!
With the Pokémon GO Championship Series, you can test your Pokémon battling skills; be a part of the competitive Pokémon community; win prizes, travel awards, and more; earn an invitation to the Pokémon World Championships, and meet Pokémon players from around the world.
Fun fact: The first Pokémon GO Championship Series began in October 2022! Trainers around the globe had the opportunity to battle against the best and earn an invitation to the 2022 Pokémon World Championships.
How to Get Started in the Pokémon GO Championship Series
Use the event locator to find out where you can compete in a Pokémon GO series event (e.g., POGO Cups, POGO Challenges, Regional Championships, etc.) in your area. Most Pokémon GO Championship Series events are operated by independent Tournament Organizers. When you find an event, contact the host(s) to find out all the specific information (e.g. registration details, required device to bring, etc.) you will need.
Continue to participate in as many events as you can. The most successful competitors (based on Championship Points earned) throughout the season events can earn invitations to the Pokémon World Championships in August 2025! Likewise, competitors who have met the qualification criteria will receive an invitation to compete in the 2025 World Championships. These are competitions that are among the top in Championship Points awarded during the season or that they placed highly enough in a tournament that awards direct invitations.
Things to know
Before attending a Championship Series event, competitors should review the Pokémon Tournament Rules for more guidelines and information that apply to every competition. Pokémon GO competitors must have a team that complies with the regulations for each event. Every player is encouraged to provide their Player ID and have a Pokémon Trainer Club account, and must be in good standing with the Play! Pokémon program.
It is helpful for competitors to bring their Player ID card if they have one. If they have not previously been given a Player ID, they can request one via their Play! Pokémon profile page or obtain one at the event. All competitors will need to accept the Play! Pokémon Terms of Use.
Note that some events have limited capacity and require that spectators purchase passes to attend.
2025 Pokémon World Championships
The 2025 Pokémon World Championships are the pinnacle of competitive Pokémon play. The Pokémon World Championships feature the best Pokémon players from around the world. The three-day event features players competing for a prize pool of over $2,000,000, the title of Pokémon World Champion, and return invitations for the following year’s Worlds. The 2025 Pokémon World Championships will be held in August in Anaheim, California.
Pokémon GO World Championships Cash Prizes
The following are the available cash prizes for winners, depending on their ranks.
| Rank | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $20,000 |
| 2 | $15,000 |
| 3 | $13,000 |
| 4 | $12,000 |
| T-5 | $9,000 |
| T-7 | $5,000 |
| T-9 | $2,000 |
| T-13 | $1,000 |
Prizes and prize distribution may be subject to change. Unless otherwise specified, all prizes are paid in US dollars and are subject to applicable tax withholding. Prize winners should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their tax obligations.
Pokémon GO World Championships Travel Awards
In addition, Pokémon GO competitors can qualify for Travel Awards to the World Championships based on their performance and their Championship Points standing in their home rating zone (North America, Latin America, Europe, or Oceania) during the 2025 Pokémon Championship Series season.
The table below lists what type of invitation a competitor earns based on their final ranking in the Championship Points standing in their rating zone at the end of the season.
| Zone | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA & Canada | 1 – 8 | 9 – 12 | – |
| Europe | 1 – 8 | 9 – 12 | – |
| Latin America | 1 – 8 | 9 – 12 | – |
| Oceania | 1 – 2 | 3 – 14 | – |
| Middle East & South Africa | – | – | – |
All other competitors who earn qualification to the World Championships in their rating zone or a guaranteed invite from placing highly in an eligible event outside of the Tier 1 or Tier 2 placement will receive a Tier 3 invite to the World Championships.
Travel Award Invitations
Competitors who qualify for a Tier 1 invitation to the World Championships will receive a flat Travel Award amount before the event. However, each competitor is fully responsible for booking their hotel and travel. The award amount is based on the age of the recipient, their region of residence, and the region of the event. Residents of Russia and South Africa are not currently eligible for Travel Awards.
- 18 years of age and older: $3,500 for competitors outside of region, $2,000 for competitors in-region
- Under 18 years of age: $5,000 for competitors outside of region, $2,500 for competitors in-region.
Unless otherwise specified, all Travel Awards are paid in US dollars and are subject to applicable tax withholding. Travel Award winners should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their tax obligations. Competitors who qualify for Tier 2 invitations to the World Championships are eligible to earn a $1,000 Travel Stipend, paid after the event and subject to them attending and completing at least one round of play in the main event. Subject to change.
World Championships Qualification
Players qualify for Worlds by earning Championship Points at events throughout the Championship Series season. In 2025, a set number of players from each rating zone, age division, and game will earn an invitation to the World Championships based on their Championship Points leaderboard standings.
In addition to the players who qualify via Championship Points, individual top performers at major events will earn direct invitations to the Pokémon World Championships. Competitors who place first at a Regional or Special Championships will receive an invitation, and the Top 4 at each International Championships will earn an invitation.
Invites earned through this method will not count against the total invitation slots for that player’s rating zone. Players in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, and the Asia-Pacific region will be awarded World Championships invitations as per their regions’ organized play and esports programs. Players from these rating zones are not eligible to earn World Championships invitations through Championship Points.
