The biggest Pokémon event of the year, the 2023 Pokémon World Championships, is happening from August 10 to 12. This event shines a light on the best players from around the globe. They will compete in four different games.
History-Making Event in Japan
For the first time, the Pokémon World Championships (PWC) took place in Japan. The event crowned new champions in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet’s Video Game Championship (VGC), the Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon Go, and Pokémon UNITE. Notably, Pokémon UNITE had the largest prize pool, offering $500,000.
Fans had the option to watch the event live in Yokohama or from the comfort of their homes via YouTube or Twitch. The Pokémon Company ensured a packed weekend full of exciting matches across all four games. Also, they promised live updates on teams, where to watch, and big news throughout the championships.
Where to Watch
The schedule spanned from August 10 to 12, fitting different time zones. Viewers could catch the action for all four games at listed times in US CT on Twitch and the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
Closing ceremonies closed the event early on August 13, right after the VGC finals ended.
Champions Crowned
The TCG Masters saw Vance Kelley winning first place with a $25,000 prize. In the VGC category, Shohei Kimura emerged victorious, securing $10,000. Pokémon Go crowned ItsAXN as its world champion, and Luminosity Gaming took home the Pokémon UNITE championship with a whopping $100,000 prize.
Shohei Kimura’s win was part of a clean sweep for Japan in the VGC category, along with wins in the Senior Division by Tomoya Ogawa and in the Junior Division by Sora Ebisawa.
Exciting Announcements
The event wasn’t just about fierce competition. It also featured several big reveals. Blaziken, Mimikyu, and Meowscarada will join Pokémon UNITE as playable characters in the coming months. The Pokémon TCG introduced new Paradox Pokémon mechanics, signaling exciting gameplay changes.
A noteworthy announcement for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet detailed the return of every Starter Pokémon in upcoming DLC, The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero. Plus, a new Terastallization mechanic was teased, hinting at how all 18 Tera Types might combine into a new gameplay element.
Looking Ahead: Hawaii 2024
The Pokémon Company announced that next summer, the World Championships would be held in Honolulu, Hawaii. While exact dates are still under wraps, it’s expected to follow the traditional August timing.
To give back, the Pokémon Company is also donating $200,000 for relief efforts in Hawaii, which has been battling severe wildfires.
This year’s Pokémon World Championships brought together the best players, showcased intense battles, revealed exciting updates, and left fans eager for next year’s event in Hawaii.