2025 Pokémon World Championships

2024
World Championships
2026
2025 Pokémon World Championships
Location United States Anaheim, United States
Venue Anaheim Convention Center
Dates August 15-17, 2025
Supported games VGC, TCG, GO, UNITE
VGC rules
Regulation set Regulation Set I
TCG rules
Format 2025-26 Standard
GO rules
League Great League
UNITE rules
Map Theia Sky Ruins Rayquaza
Key artwork

The 2025 Pokémon World Championships was held in Anaheim, California, United States on August 15-17, 2025. It was the twentieth invitation-only world championships for players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the fifteenth for players of the Pokémon video games, and the fourth for players of Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE. It was the seventeenth time the Pokémon World Championships had been held in the U.S., and the third time the event has been held in Anaheim.

For the Championships Sunday, all four branches of the Pokémon World Championships (VGC, TCG, GO, UNITE) are held on one stage with dynamic LED floor lighting indicating specific Pokémon or effects used during each match.

Trading Card Game Championships

The 2025-26 Standard format was used for the Pokémon TCG Championships, allowing all cards with regulation mark G or later; in essence, this includes the entirety of cards released during the Scarlet & Violet Series, with the exception of certain SV-P Promotional cards. Players received invitations from gaining enough Championship Points throughout the year, winning a Regional or Special Event Championships, or finishing in the top 4 at International Championships. The top 4 of each age division from the previous World Championships also received a direct invite.[1]

Day One was composed of Swiss rounds, with players earning enough match points moving on to Day Two. These players continued playing Swiss rounds on Day Two, and at the conclusion of the Swiss rounds players with match points equal to or greater than the 8th placed player in the post Swiss standings were placed in an asymmetrical single elimination bracket, with the finals taking place on Day Three. All games were best of three.

Junior Division

A total of 351 players competed in the Senior Division. Sakuya Ota was the defending champion but was eligible for the Senior Division. He was knocked out on Day One with a final record of 5/3/0.

Yuya Okita became the new Junior Division World Champion with a final record of 12/1/1.

Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
Malaysia  Haruki Okunishi
Gholdengo ex
2  
Japan  Shimpei Yamaguchi
Gardevoir ex
0  
    Malaysia  Haruki Okunishi
Gholdengo ex
0  
    United States  Jose Cruz Galindo Resendiz
Dragapult Dusknoir
2  
Japan  Akito Hirabayashi
Ancient Box
0
United States  Jose Cruz Galindo Resendiz
Dragapult Dusknoir
2  
    United States  Jose Cruz Galindo Resendiz
Dragapult Dusknoir
0
    Japan  Yuya Okita
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
2
Japan  Minato Iida
Marnie's Grimmsnarl ex
0  
Japan  Yuya Okita
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
2  
    Japan  Yuya Okita
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
2
    Finland  Cedrik Balk
Milotic ex
0  
Finland  Cedrik Balk
Milotic ex
2
Japan  Mana Kato
Charizard ex
0  


Senior Division

A total of 353 players competed in the Senior Division. Evan Pavelski was the defending champion but was eligible for the Masters Division. He was knocked out on Day One with a final record of 3/3/0.

Fuguan Liao became the new Senior Division World Champion and the first Pokémon World Champion from mainland China, with a final record of 11/0/3.

Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
Japan  Kosei Matsumoto
Dragapult Dusknoir
1  
China  Fuguan Liao
Gholdengo Joltik Box
2  
    China  Fuguan Liao
Gholdengo Joltik Box
2  
    Japan  Riku Nishihashi
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
1  
Japan  Riku Nishihashi
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
2
United States  Eisu Yoshimoto
Flareon ex Box
0  
    China  Fuguan Liao
Gholdengo Joltik Box
2
    Brazil  Gabriel Fernandez
N's Zoroark ex
1
Brazil  Gabriel Fernandez
N's Zoroark ex
2  
Germany  Leonore Budka
Gholdengo ex
0  
    Brazil  Gabriel Fernandez
N's Zoroark ex
2
    United States  Joseph Bjerg
Gholdengo ex
0  
United States  Joseph Bjerg
Gholdengo ex
2
United Kingdom  Zachary Oberelli
Dragapult Dusknoir
1  


Master Division

A total of 721 players competed in the Masters Division. Fernando Cifuentes was the defending champion and was knocked out on Day Two with a final record of 7/3/1.

Riley McKay became the new Masters Division World Champion with a final record of 12/1/2.

Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
Finland  Öjvind Svinhufvud
Charizard ex
1  
Canada  Riley McKay
Gardevoir ex
2  
    Canada  Riley McKay
Gardevoir ex
2  
    Japan  Shizuki Nakagawa
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
0  
Japan  Shizuki Nakagawa
Raging Bolt Ogerpon
2
United States  Piper Lepine
Gholdengo ex
1  
    Canada  Riley McKay
Gardevoir ex
2
    United States  Justin Newdorf
Dragapult Dusknoir
0
Poland  Mateusz Łaszkiewicz
N's Zoroark ex
1  
Japan  Junya Tanaka
Charizard ex
2  
    Japan  Junya Tanaka
Charizard ex
0
    United States  Justin Newdorf
Dragapult Dusknoir
2  
Chile  Marco Cifuentes
N's Zoroark ex
0
United States  Justin Newdorf
Dragapult Dusknoir
2  


Video Game Championships

Players in territories managed by The Pokémon Company International received invitations from earning Championship Points throughout the year and placing highly enough on the leaderboard at the end of the season (the exact placement needed varied by rating zone and age division). [1] Players in Japan and South Korea (managed by The Pokémon Company and Pokémon Korea) earned invites by placing well in their respective National Championships, which were qualified for via in-game Official Competitions via Battle Stadium. Players in the Asia Pacific region qualified through placing well in their respective countries Master Ball League, which were open entry tournaments. Additionally, the top 4 in each age division from the previous Pokémon World Championships received a direct invite. Starting with this year, any player was able to earn a direct invite by winning a Regional Championship, winning a Special Event, or finishing in the top 4 at an International Championship (previously, these direct invites were only available to players in TPCi managed territories). Unlike previous Pokémon World Championships, no round 1 byes are awarded at the 2025 Pokémon World Championships.[1]

Day One was composed of Swiss rounds, with players earning enough match points moving on to Day Two. These players continued playing Swiss rounds on Day Two, and at the conclusion of the Swiss rounds players with match points equal to or greater than the 8th placed player in the post Swiss standings were placed in an asymmetrical single elimination bracket, with the finals taking place on Day Three. All games were best of three.

Matches took place in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and were all Double Battles. Levels for all Pokémon were adjusted to level 50 and no duplicate Pokémon or items were allowed. Battles used the Regulation I ruleset, which allowed for every Pokémon available in Scarlet and Violet, except for Mythical Pokémon and Battle Bond Greninja. Players are allowed up to 2 restricted Special Pokémon per team.

Junior Division

Kevin Han was the defending champion but was eligible for the Senior Division.

Luke Whittier of the United States defeated Sosuke Arinori of Japan to become the new Junior Division VGC World Champion, with a final record of 10/2/0.

Top 16   Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
New Zealand  Damon Zhu  
 BYE     New Zealand  Damon Zhu 0  
United States  Luke Whittier 2   United States  Luke Whittier 2  
United States  Khristian Sepulveda Mendez       United States  Luke Whittier 2  
France  Ismael Hoggui       Germany  Fabian Musikant 0  
Germany  Aayansh S. 2     France  Ismael Hoggui 0
United States  Jacob Moore Matise   Germany  Fabian Musikant 2  
Germany  Fabian Musikant 2       United States  Luke Whittier 2
Japan  Tyler Kota Choy       Japan  Sosuke Arinori 0
Japan  Sosuke Arinori 2     Japan  Sosuke Arinori 2  
Japan  Shuntaro Okada 2   Japan  Shuntaro Okada 0  
United States  Charlie Buddensick       Japan  Sosuke Arinori 2
United States  Zach Soldavin 2       Japan  Hideo Uezu 0  
South Korea  Changwoon Han     United States  Zach Soldavin 0
South Korea  Sihyun Kang   Japan  Hideo Uezu 2  
Japan  Hideo Uezu 2  


Senior Division

Ray Yamanaka was the defending champion and finished in the Top 32.

Kevin Han, the Junior Division 2024 World Champion, became the new Senior Division World Champion with an undefeated 13/0/0 final record. After Ray Rizzo, Han is the second VGC player to have won Pokémon World Championships more than once in a row. Han is also the first player to win the VGC Pokémon World Championships in both the Junior and Senior age divisions.

Top 16   Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
United States  Kevin Han 2  
Japan  Minato Kojima     United States  Kevin Han 2  
United States  Leland Smith 2   United States  Leland Smith 0  
United States  Francesco Galati       United States  Kevin Han 2  
France  Louis Fontvieille       United States  Conner Pietrusinski 0  
United States  Conner Pietrusinski 2     United States  Conner Pietrusinski 2
South Korea  Minwoo Kim 2   South Korea  Minwoo Kim 0  
Italy  Alberto Fabi       United States  Kevin Han 2
Italy  Pietro Nihal Kaludura Silva       South Korea  Sian Lee 0
South Korea  Sian Lee 2     South Korea  Sian Lee 2  
Japan  Yoshihiro Sawada   Japan  Sota Tamemasa 0  
Japan  Sota Tamemasa 2       South Korea  Sian Lee 2
Japan  Masahiro Miyamoto       United Kingdom  Vikram Thiagarajan 0  
Chile  Felipe Reyes Castro 2     Chile  Felipe Reyes Castro 0
Japan  Kenshi Kumagai   United Kingdom  Vikram Thiagarajan 2  
United Kingdom  Vikram Thiagarajan 2  


Master Division

Luca Ceribelli was the defending champion and finished in the Top 64.

Giovanni Cischke defeated James Evans to become the new Masters Division VGC World Champion with a final record of 14/1/0.

Top 16   Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
Japan  Ko Tsukide 2  
United States  Nick Navarre     Japan  Ko Tsukide 1  
United States  James Evans 2   United States  James Evans 2  
Japan  Naoto Kishida       United States  James Evans 2  
Italy  Giuseppe Musicco       United States  Montana Mott 0  
United States  Montana Mott 2     United States  Montana Mott 2
Australia  Masayoshi Kuroo   Germany  Michael Kelsch 1  
Germany  Michael Kelsch 2       United States  James Evans 1
Japan  Hirofumi Kimura 2       United States  Giovanni Cischke 2
United States  Aaron Brok     Japan  Hirofumi Kimura 2  
Spain  Víctor Medina 2   Spain  Víctor Medina 1  
United States  James Baek       Japan  Hirofumi Kimura 0
Japan  Yoshitaka Izawa       United States  Giovanni Cischke 2  
Japan  Mao Harada 2     Japan  Mao Harada 0
France  Théotime Massaut   United States  Giovanni Cischke 2  
United States  Giovanni Cischke 2  


Pokémon GO Championships

Pokémon GO uses a champions points qualification system, similar to the one used in the Video Game and Trading Card Game Championships. Players received invitations from gaining enough Championship Points throughout the year or from the previous Pokémon World Championships.

Competitors for the Pokémon GO Championships were grouped into four double elimination pods to determine a Top 32. Top 32 competed in another double elimination bracket on Day Two, with grand finals taking place Day Three. The Great League format was utilized. All non-finals matches were best of three, while finals were best of five.

Yekai0904 was the defending champion and was knocked out on Day One.

Ved "Beelzeboy" Bamb became the new Pokémon GO World Champion, and the first Indian Pokémon World Champion.

Winners Semifinals   Winners Final   Grand Final   Reset
Canada  LyleJeffsIII 0  
Spain  P4T0MAN 2     Spain  P4T0MAN 3  
India  Beelzeboy 2   India  Beelzeboy 1     Spain  P4T0MAN 1   Spain  P4T0MAN 2
Brazil  LNDsRargef 1     India  Beelzeboy 3   India  Beelzeboy 3
Losers Quarterfinals   Losers Semifinal   Losers Final
Canada  LyleJeffsIII 1     India  Beelzeboy 3
Brazil  LNDsKourlash 2     Brazil  LNDsKourlash 0     Brazil  LNDsRargef 1
Brazil  LNDsRargef 2   Brazil  LNDsRargef 2  
United Kingdom  Maxy1000000P 1  

Pokémon UNITE Championships

Pokémon UNITE Championships Series logo

Teams qualified for the Pokémon UNITE Championships by having the most Championship Points within their regional zone, winning their Regional Finals, or winning the Aeos Cup or Final Stretch tournaments. Regional zones had the following number of invitations: four from Asia-Pacific West and Asia-Pacific East; three from North America, Europe, Latin America - North, and Japan; two from Brazil and Latin America - South; and one from Oceania, Korea, and India.

All matches were 5-on-5 and took place on Theia Sky Ruins. Players were allowed to play on any of the three available platforms for the game (Nintendo Switch, iOS/iPadOS, Android). Day One had the teams compete in a best of three Single Round Robin bracket to determine Top 16. On Day Two, the Top 16 competed in a best of three single elimination bracket, with semifinals and finals being best of five.

The team FENNEL were the defending champions but did not attend Worlds this year. Other teams were invited to Worlds but ended up withdrawing or unable to attend; the Peruvian team INFAMOUS cited visa issues as their reason for not attending.[2]

The team PERÚ UNITE from Peru (Axel "Khea" Xavier Rivas Perez, Erick "Zynuz" Jean Bartolo Cotrinae, Salvador "DrakenN" Vasquez, Jose "Anemo" Arias, Jeremy "Tempo" Wilman Rivas Nunura, and Carlos "Carlo" Arias) defeated Japan's ZETA DIVISION to become the new Pokémon Unite World Champions.

Top 16   Quarterfinals   Semifinals   Championship match
Latin America - North  STMN Esports 1  
Latin America - South  PERÚ UNITE 2     Latin America - South  PERÚ UNITE 2  
Brazil  Aegis Flames 2   Brazil  Aegis Flames 0  
Japan  INSOMNIA 1       Latin America - South  PERÚ UNITE 3  
Europe  Nouns Esports 2       North America  Luminosity Gaming 2  
Asia Pacific - East  Talon 0     Europe  Nouns Esports 1
Japan  QT DIG 0   North America  Luminosity Gaming 2  
North America  Luminosity Gaming 2       Latin America - South  PERÚ UNITE 3
Korea  Team Ex 2       Japan  ZETA DIVISION 1
North America  Orange Juicers 1     Korea  Team Ex 0  
Asia Pacific - East  Hi5 0   Japan  ZETA DIVISION 2  
Japan  ZETA DIVISION 2       Japan  ZETA DIVISION 3
Asia Pacific - West  CakeKaLok 2       Latin America - North  Santos Laguna 0  
Asia Pacific - West  Paper Rex 0     Asia Pacific - West  CakeKaLok 0
Japan  REJECT 0   Latin America - North  Santos Laguna 2  
Latin America - North  Santos Laguna 2  


Distributions

Several Pokémon and item distributions were made through serial codes and live stream Twitch Drops throughout the event.

Event Pokémon

This Toedscool was distributed via serial code to attendees.

Wonder Card 524 | Worlds25’s Toedscool Gift
#0948  Toedscool  /   
Level 50
Type:
Tera Type:
Ability: Mycelium Might
Held item: Black Glasses Black Glasses
ID: 250815
OT: Worlds25
WCS25
Met: WCS 2025 (fateful encounter)
Nature: Random
Ribbons
/ Marks:
Event Ribbon Event Ribbon
  Hit Points Attack Defense Sp. Attack Sp. Defense Speed
IVs Random 0 0 0 0 0
EVs 0 0 0 0 0 0
Celebrate
Normal
Giga Drain
Grass
Magical Leaf
Grass
Spikes
Ground
Games Method Duration
SV Serial Code August 14 to 29, 2025
This Pokémon's Scale value is random.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is set to the same language as the game that received it.

In addition, this Farigiraf is based on 2024 VGC Masters Division Champion Luca Ceribelli's Farigiraf and was distributed alongside the event with the password W0RLDSARM0RTA1L.

Wonder Card 525 | Luca's Farigiraf Gift
#0981  Farigiraf  
Level 50
Type:
Tera Type:
Ability: Armor Tail
Held item: Electric Seed Electric Seed
ID: 250815
OT: Luca
Met: a Battle Competition (fateful encounter)
Nature: Bold
Ribbons
/ Marks:
Battle Champion Ribbon Battle Champion Ribbon
Partner Ribbon Partner Ribbon
  Hit Points Attack Defense Sp. Attack Sp. Defense Speed
IVs 31 7 31 31 31 31
EVs 204 0 164 4 110 28
Psychic Noise
Psychic
Foul Play
Dark
Helping Hand
Normal
Trick Room
Psychic
Games Method Duration
SV Password: W0RL DSAR M0RT A1L August 15 to 22, 2025
This Pokémon has a fixed Scale value of 128.
This Pokémon may only be redeemed once per save file.
Date received is the date on the system when the gift is redeemed.
This Pokémon is Italian in origin, regardless of the language of the game.

Other games

Pokémon GO
2025 Pokémon World Championships-exclusive Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket in Pokémon GO
  • The code Z3USC2JQS9LWN gave players a white T-shirt featuring the Pikachu from the event's key art.[3] An alternate yellow-colored version of the shirt is distributed at Anaheim for event attendees.[4]
  • The following are rewarded via Twitch Drops:
    • For the first 24 hours of the event (August 15), watching one of the official Pokémon GO Twitch channels for 30 minutes gave players a code for a Timed Research that rewards a Skarmory, inspired by Yekai0904's World Champion Skarmory.[4] Alternatively, the following code may be used until August 31, 2025: NG94RKDHXWMUL.[3]
    • For the second 24 hours of the event (August 16), watching one of the official Pokémon GO Twitch channels for 30 minutes gave players a code for a Timed Research with three branching paths, each one rewarding either of the following Pokémon: Lapras, Sableye, and Lileep; or Squirtle, Stunfisk, and Inkay; or Sentret, Paldean Wooper, and Wimpod.[4] Alternatively, the following code may be used until August 31, 2025: V7L7NS9HRKSL4.[3]
    • From August 15 - 18, watching a Pokémon GO co-streaming partner Twitch channel for 30 minutes rewarded a Costumed Pikachu (Pikachu with a varsity jacket) Timed Research.[5][6] Alternatively, the following code may be used until August 31, 2025: JST9U45YFXGNQ.[3]
Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
2025 Pokémon World Championships co-streaming rewards for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live and Pokémon GO[5]
  • The code WCS25TCGL gave players a copy of each of the following: Hilda, N's Plan, Tynamo, Eelektrik, Eelektross. All cards are in their Illustration Rare and Ultra Rare prints.
  • The following are rewarded via Twitch Drops:
    • From August 15 - 17, watching the official PokemonTCG Twitch channel for 30 minutes rewarded the following Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare prints of these cards: Deino, Zweilous, and Hydreigon ex. Watching the official PokemonTCG Twitch channel for 90 minutes rewarded a deck box, card sleeves, and a coin featuring the Worlds 2025 key art.
    • From August 15 - 17, watching a Pokémon Trading Card Game co-streaming partner Twitch channel rewarded a copy of each of the following: Hilda, N's Plan, Frillish, Jellicent ex, and an alternate art 2025 Pokémon World Championships deck box, coin, and card sleeves. All cards are in their Illustration Rare and Special Illustration Rare prints.[5]
Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
  • From August 15 - 17, watching the official PokemonTCG Twitch channel for 30 minutes rewarded a gift code that can be redeemed for 12 Wonder Hourglasses and 12 Pack Hourglasses.
Pokémon UNITE
  • The code WORLDS25 gave players a 2025 Pokémon World Championships sticker (August 15 - 22, 2025).
  • From the start of the event until the finals, watching the official PokémonUNITE Twitch channel for 30 minutes rewarded a platinum Murkrow Boost Emblem, 500 Aeos coins, and a Gift Box that contains a randomized selection from the following: Jersey Select Box, License Select Box, Fashion Select Box.

Other

The Toyota Engineering Society Miraidon model, created for the Toyota Miraidon Project in 2023, was put on display at the event venue.

Related articles

References

External links

Pokémon World Championships
Pokémon Trading Card Game only 2004-2008; TCG and Video Games 2009-on
2004: Blaziken TechMagma SpiritRocky BeachTeam Rushdown
2005: Bright AuraDark TyranitarKing of the WestQueendom
2006: B-L-SEeveelutionsMewtrickSuns & Moons
2007: FlyveesLegendary AscentRamboltSwift Empoleon
2008: Bliss ControlEmpotechIntimidationPsychic Lock
2009: StallgonCrowned TigerQueengarLuxdrill
2010: LuxChomp of the SpiritHappy LuckPower CottonweedBoltevoir
2011: MegazoneReshiphlosionThe TruthTwinboar
2012: Pesadelo PrismTerraki-MewtwoEeltwoCMT
2013: Anguille Sous RocheAmerican GothicDarkraiUltimate Team Plasma
2014: Plasma PowerTrevgorEmerald KingCrazy Punch
2015: The Flying HammerPunches 'n' BitesHonorStoisePrimal Groudon
2016: Black DragonBebe DeckMagical SymphonyNinja Blitz
2017: Infinite ForceGolisodorIce Path FTWSamurai Sniper
2018: Victory MapDragones y SombrasGarbanetteBuzzroc
2019: Pikarom JudgeFire BoxMind BlownPerfection
2022: ADPThe Shape of MewCheryl AgainIce Rider Palkia
2023: Mew's RevengePsychic EleganceColorless LugiaLost Box Kyogre
2024: Crushing ThornThe 'DonRegidrago VSTARAncient Toolbox
2025: Flutter Devo GardevoirJoltdengoJP Raging BoltPult Bomb
2026: TBA
Champions Jason KlaczynskiJun HasebeRay Rizzo
This article is part of both Project TCG and Project Games, Bulbapedia projects that, together, aim to write comprehensive articles on the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Video Game Championship Tournaments.