Latest news with #PokémonWorldChampionships
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
A Pokémon pop-up is heading to Anaheim with exclusive merch
Before Labubus, there were Pokémon. Whether you grew up debating the superiority of Charizard versus Blastoise or spent hours trying to catch Mew under that infamous truck, the franchise has become a shared language of childhood joy. Even today, Pikachu's squeak hits like a warm hug from the past. Now, you can celebrate Pokémon and bond with fellow enthusiasts in SoCal thanks to a limited‑time Pokémon Center pop‑up at the Anaheim Convention Center, part of the 2025 Pokémon World Championships. (Yes, that's definitely a thing.) This pop‑up isn't just a store; it's a celebration of Pokémon fandom. With photo ops, surprise drops and merch you can't get anywhere else (like the 2025 World plushies for Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Machamp, and Fennekin), the August 14–17 event is a chance for fans to catch 'em all in person. But just because you're a badgeholder for the Pokémon World Championships doesn't guarantee you entry; you still have to RSVP. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pokémon (@pokemon) The larger question might be just what are the Pokémon World Championships? Held since 2004, the event blends nostalgia with modern spectacle and finds players from across the globe gathering to battle it out for the title (if they scored an invite, that is) in four major events: the Trading Card Game (TCG), Video Game Championships (Scarlet & Violet), Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNIT. With a prize pool of over $2 million, players vie for world‑champion status through intense multi‑stage formats leading to single‑elimination finals, with Pokémon GO culminating in best‑of‑five grand finals on the third day. Winners will receive invitations for next year's championship in San Francisco. The 2025 Worlds is the first in Anaheim since 2017. Beyond competition, the event is a vibrant fan celebration: exclusive merchandise at the Pokémon Center pop‑up, photo ops with Pikachu mascots, side events and interactive experiences. The Worlds also emphasizes global engagement with live streams on Twitch and YouTube, multilingual commentary, fan contests, behind‑the‑scenes content and social-media-driven interactivity throughout the three-day event.
Global News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Winnipeg Pokémon prodigy, 12, set to take card-playing prowess to world championships
A young Winnipegger is going international with a very particular skill — all before finishing elementary school. Era Roulette, 12, is a world-class player of the Pokémon trading card game, frequently beating players twice her age in local competitions. Her success at Winnipeg game nights led to competing across Canada and the U.S., and has helped her punch her ticket to the Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, Calif. It's a huge step for Era, who learned the game only five years ago, and a chance to compete on the biggest stage there is for Pokémon players. Her father Cody Roulette told Global Winnipeg he initially introduced her to Pokémon cards at a very young age to help her learn some educational basics. 'I would use Pokémon cards as a way, when she was a toddler, to introduce her to numbers, to introduce her to reading, writing,' he said. Story continues below advertisement 'And just growing up, she was kind of surrounded by that.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Roulette said he bought Era her first competitive set of cards at a local comic shop when she was around seven or eight years old, which began the journey that is taking the family to California in mid-August. 'When you have something that starts off as an excuse to bond with your kid and she ends up being one of the best at this hobby, how can you not feel something about that?' Era said the local Pokémon community has been incredibly supportive since the news broke that she qualified for the big championship, and that she appreciates the support of her fellow local Pokémon enthusiasts. 'It's a friendship … how people are willing to support, even if they don't know who you are, but they're interested,' she said. 'It's just really nice. It's kind. It's, in my opinion, more like you're friends with them.' Despite that friendliness, she didn't get to such a high level without shocking a few adult players with her Pokémon prowess. Mark Larson of Manitoba TCG, a local game store, told Global Winnipeg he started hearing Era's name around the community. 'I'd ask, 'How good is Era?' I'd ask some of the adults, and they'd say, 'She kicks my butt at the game'… so yeah, she's pretty good.' Story continues below advertisement The championship, which runs from Aug. 15 to 17, gives competitors a chance to win prizes and cash — from a combined prize pool of more than $2 million — as well as bragging rights as the best in the game.
Hypebeast
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Team Rocket Returns in 'Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals'
Summary When it comes to thePokémon TCG, there is no shortage of excitement surrounding its new product launches. All of its recent expansions have been embraced by fans, with record-high demand overwhelmingThe Pokémon Company'ssignificant supply. Now, one of its most anticipated sets has just released, introducingPokémon TCG: Destined Rivals. First teased at the Pokémon World Championships last August,Destined Rivalssees the return of fan favorite villain faction, Team Rocket. The group of troublemakers joins other beloved characters with a whopping 42 new special illustration cards featured in the expansion. Partner cards serve as the highlight of this set, with notables pairing Ethan with Ho-Oh and Cynthia with Garchomp. As for Team Rocket, familiar faces in Archer and Ariana are accompanied by Giovanni, who is joined by Meowth in one instance and Mewtwo for the card that is most sought-after by collectors. Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivalshas just arrived via thePokémon Center, select retailers, and local card shops with packs available via individual packs, thematic boxes, and bundles. For a complete breakdown of every card included in the new set, be sure to check out the collection'sofficial card gallery.
