The 2025 Pokémon World Championships brought fierce competition, immersive fan experiences and major franchise announcements to life this past weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center.
It marked the event’s return to Southern California for the first time since 2017, and became the series’ largest World Championships in history, drawing record-breaking attendance and participation across four major titles: Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Video Game Championships, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.
More than 30,000 people packed into the venue, 2,500 of whom were competing for the title of World Champion. That’s a record-breaking showing for the Championship series, nearly doubling that of last year’s event, officials said.
“[It’s] the culmination of the entire Play! Pokémon 2025 season,” said Nick Salazar, associate public relations manager at the Pokémon Company International.
While the world’s best players battled for championship titles and cash prizes, thousands of attendees found themselves swept up in the vibrant mix of side events, creative zones and immersive fan experiences.
“You hear shouts from the crowd as matches unfold. But even if you’re not competing, 90% of our attendees are here just for the experience — side events, art booths, autograph signings, crafts, you name it,” Salazar said.
Attendees also participated in panels and workshops, ranging from Q&A sessions with trading card artists, to sneak previews of the upcoming Pokémon Center merchandise line. Autograph rooms and character meet-and-greets gave fans the opportunity to connect directly with creators, influencers and costumed Pokémon.
The Cosplay Showcase brought beloved characters from the Pokémon universe to life as fans paraded elaborate costumes on stage. In the Collect & Trade Zone, collectors and trainers swapped everything from vintage plush and enamel pins to rare cards and accessories. Pokémon enthusiasts of all ages took part in the Pin Trading Hub, tracking down exclusive pins and completing sets with help from staff.
“It’s really about the community. We’ve got representatives here from 49 countries and regions. Many of these people only see each other at events like this. That sense of reunion, of shared passion — it’s what makes Pokémon unique.”
Other highlights included the Pokémon Center pop-up shop—featuring exclusive merchandise like the much-hyped University Jacket Pikachu—and an opportunity to play upcoming Pokémon titles, like Pokémon Legends: Z-A set to release this October.
After three intense days of competition, the top players from around the globe were crowned across every division, with U.S. competitors sweeping all age groups of the main event, the Video Game Championships:
Pokémon Video Game Championships (“Scarlet & Violet”)
- Masters Division: Giovanni Cischke (USA) triumphed over James Evans (USA).
- Senior Division: Kevin Han (USA) successfully defended his 2024 Junior title by defeating Sian Lee (South Korea).
- Junior Division: Luke Whittier (USA) overcame Sosuke Arinori (Japan) in a tense final.
Pokémon Trading Card Game
- Masters Division: Riley McKay (Canada) defeated Justin Newdorf (USA) to secure victory.
- Senior Division: Fuguan Liao (China) claimed gold against Gabriel Fernandez (Brazil).
- Junior Division: Yuya Okita (Japan) bested Jose Cruz Galindo Resendiz (USA).
“Pokémon GO”
- Champion: India’s Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb made history as the first Indian world champion in Pokémon esports. The 21-year-old gamer from Nagpur edged out Spain’s Leo “P4T0M4N” Marín 3–2 in the finals, earning a $20,000 grand prize.
“Pokémon UNITE”
- Champion Team: PERÚ UNITE (Latin America – South) emerged victorious over ZETA DIVISION (Japan), marking a major win for the Latin American region.
The closing ceremony in Anaheim teased what’s ahead for the franchise and competitive scene. Most notably, a new game titled “Pokémon Champions” will replace “Scarlet & Violet” as the official competitive game in 2026.
But next year’s championships will remain in California, moving north to San Francisco, where the Moscone Center will host the main event from Aug. 28–30, 2026. For the first time, Championship Sunday will take place at the Chase Center, promising a massive, arena-style finale.
“These events get bigger every year, and we’re always thinking ahead — how to make the next one even better,” Salazar said.
For more information, visit the official Pokémon World Championships website.