2019-20 Standard format (TCG)

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Standard formats

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The 2019-20 Standard format of the Pokémon Trading Card Game is the Standard format that was used (alongside the Expanded format) for Play! Pokémon organized play and in most sanctioned tournaments worldwide from August 2019 to August 2020. It was also used in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online.

Play period

The 2019-20 Standard format was announced on April 18, 2019, rotating out sets from Sun & Moon to Crimson Invasion.

• Worldwide: August 15, 2019 to August 28, 2020

Rotated expansions

Sun & Moon Series

• Sun & Moon
• Guardians Rising
• Burning Shadows
• Shining Legends
• Crimson Invasion
• / Sun & Moon Trainer Kit: Lycanroc & Alolan Raichu

Black Star Promos

• SM Black Star Promos cards numbered SM01-SM93

McDonald's Collection

• McDonald's Collection 2017
• McDonald's Collection 2018

Legal expansions

Sun & Moon Series

• Ultra Prism
• Forbidden Light
• Celestial Storm
• Dragon Majesty
• Lost Thunder
• Team Up
• Detective Pikachu
• Unbroken Bonds
• Unified Minds
• Hidden Fates
• Cosmic Eclipse

Sword & Shield Series

• Sword & Shield
• Rebel Clash
• Darkness Ablaze

Black Star Promos

• SM Black Star Promos cards numbered SM94-SM244
• SWSH Black Star Promos cards numbered SWSH001-SWSH032

Change on "McDonald's Collection" expansions' legality

Up to this point in time, all cards releases as part of a McDonald's campaign were included in special expansions called "McDonald's Collection", with their own rarity, numbering and legality. As to avoid unintentional reprints, starting this season all cards from said expansions are legal in the Standard format only if they're functionally identical to a card from either a regular expansion or a Black Star Promo that is currently legal in said format.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Main article: COVID-19 pandemic#Play! Pokémon and organized play

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic several scheduled tournaments were cancelled during 2020, notably the 2020 Europe International Championships and the 2020 North America International Championships.

On May 14, a worldwide event titled Pokémon Players Cup was announced, featuring along with other games the TCG's Standard Format through Pokémon Trading Card Game Online, being both the first time the TCG client has been used in an official tournament and the very last event of the format. This event was only held in the Masters Division and excluded Asia as the online client is not available for any country of the region.

Premier events

• 2019 World Championships
• 2019-2020 League Cups
• 2019-2020 Regional Championships (On several locations worldwide)
• 2020 Latin America International Championships
• 2020 Oceania International Championships
• Players Cup Kickoff Invitational / Regional Online Qualifier

External links

• 2020 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation