Anaheim, get ready: the world’s most adorable battle royale is coming your way. From August 15–17, the 2025 Pokémon World Championships will take over the Anaheim Convention Center, bringing thousands of elite players, superfans, and—yes—giant Pikachu mascots for a three-day, high-stakes, nostalgia-fueled competition.
This isn’t your nephew’s trading card game. We’re talking about a globe-spanning tournament where the best of the best duke it out across Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE. At stake? A share of over $2 million in prizes, and the kind of bragging rights that only a true Pokémon Master can claim.
But don’t worry—this isn’t just for competitors who’ve been grinding on Poké Battle strategies since pre-school. The event promises plenty for casual fans and curious locals too, including:
A Pokémon Center pop-up shop with exclusive merch (your kids will never forgive you if you skip it)
Photo ops with Pikachu and friends (yes, the Pikachu)
Side events, fan meetups, and activities that make this feel more like a carnival of cuteness than a cutthroat contest
It’s all hosted by The Pokémon Company International, which continues to prove that this franchise is more than just a game—it’s a pop culture juggernaut that spans generations.
For local families, this is an easy yes. Whether you’ve got a seven-year-old who sleeps with a Poké Ball or you just want to see what it looks like when thousands of people gather to shout about Charizard strategies, the vibe promises to be welcoming, weird, and wildly photogenic.
Mark your calendar, dig out your old deck, and consider this your official invite into the Poké-verse—no rare holographics required. Get tickets.
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