gamescom 2019 is taking place in Cologne, Germany from August 20th, 2019 until August 24th, 2019. Although Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Director Shigeru Ohmori could not be in attendance to the convention due to working on the games. He did make a video showcasing some new scenes from a town in the Galar region though.

YouTube Clip - A message from GAME FREAK's Shigeru Ohmori - Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NXb5lQsydeM

The 2019 Pokémon World Championships are over and the champions have been crowned. The location of the 2020 Pokémon World Championships was also announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday evening and it will be held in London, United Kingdom. High resolution pictures from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

World’s Top Pokémon Competitors Crowned at the 2019 Pokémon World Championships

Washington, DC—August 19, 2019—The 2019 Pokémon World Championships drew to a close yesterday following three days of intense matches and friendly competition in Washington, DC. The best Trainers from around the world attended the 16th annual event to take part in the premier tournament for Pokémon video games and the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). This year’s event featured the Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon video games, as well as Pokkén Tournament DX. More than 7,000 players and fans from around the globe gathered in the nation’s capital at the world’s most prestigious Pokémon event.

The Pokémon World Championships is an invitation-only event held in a different location every year, for which players can qualify by competing in various local, regional, and international tournaments. This year’s champions were awarded a one-of-a-kind Pokémon World Championships trophy, an invitation to the 2020 Pokémon World Championships, and a monetary prize in the form of a scholarship, cash prize, or Travel Certificate. The prize pool this year totaled more than $500,000.

The 2019 Pokémon World Champions are:

• 2019 Pokémon TCG Junior Division World Champion, Haruki Miyamoto [JPN]
• 2019 Pokémon TCG Senior Division World Champion, Kaya Lichtleitner [DEU]
• 2019 Pokémon TCG Masters Division World Champion, Henry Brand [AUS]
• 2019 Pokémon Video Game Junior Division World Champion, Pi Wu [TWN]
• 2019 Pokémon Video Game Senior Division World Champion, Ko Tsukide [JPN]
• 2019 Pokémon Video Game Masters Division World Champion, Naoto Mizobuchi [JPN]
• 2019 Pokkén Tournament Senior Division World Champion, ashninja1 [USA]
• 2019 Pokkén Tournament Masters Division World Champion, Subutan [JPN]

2019 POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Junior Division Finalists

Senior Division Finalists

Masters Division Finalists

2019 POKÉMON VIDEO GAME WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Junior Division Finalists

Senior Division Finalists

Masters Division Finalists

2019 POKKÉN TOURNAMENT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior Division Finalists
World Champion: ashninja1 [USA]
Second Place: Kato [JPN]

Masters Division Finalists
World Champion: Subutan [JPN]
Second Place: Haruyuki [JPN]

The location of the 2020 Pokémon World Championships was also announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, to be held in London, United Kingdom.

YouTube Clip - 2019 Pokémon World Championships: Event Experience

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DmGuohOAVk

From September 7th, 2019 until October 31st, 2019, the “Pokémon Center Halloween Campaign” will be held at Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Stores nationwide in Japan. There are lots of new goods and gifts for shopping! You can also visit with Lucario and Zeraora in their Halloween costumes, as they pretend to be band members. Come and see and enjoy the autumn at the Pokémon Center with everyone!

Gifts for shopping!

From September 7th, 2019, those that purchase 4,000 yen (including tax) or more of goods at Pokémon Centers or Pokémon Stores nationwide, will recieve one of two different Halloween Lucario colored papers, and you can choose which one you like.
At the Pokémon Center Online, those that purchase 4,000 yen (including tax) or more, will receive Halloween Lucario (1) colored paper and those that purchases of 8,000 yen (including tax) will recieve both Halloween Lucario colored papers.


From Saturday, October 12th, 2019, those that purchase 4,000 yen (including tax) at the Pokémon Centers, Pokémon Stores, or the Pokémon Center Online, will receive a “Pick-style Key Chain (ピック風キーホルダー)” at random! There are 6 designs.

Lucario and Zeraora Appearances

On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from September 7th, 2019 until September 29th, 2019, "Lucario in Halloween Costume" will be held. On Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from October 5th, 2019 until October 27th, 2019 "Zoraora in Band Member Costome" will be held. During both these time periods, Lucario or Zoraora will be at specific Pokémon Centers across Japan. Check out the appearance schedule and come to see Lucario and Zeraora dressed in special costumes.

Pokémon Center Halloween Campaign Artwork

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2019/08/190816_p01.html

Pokémon Center Halloween Festival!

Starting on September 7th, 2019, the Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Stores in Japan will begin selling a line of merchandise called Halloween Festival! as part of the Pokémon Center 2019 Halloween Campaign. The line features a festival parade with a large pumpkin float in the shape of Pikachu, which makes it even more lively! Pikachu looks very happy wearing a Mimikyu costume with a Gengar basket. Celebi and Lucario are like heroes of the story! Pokémon merchandise that is fun with gorgeous clothing will make Halloween even more exciting! Enjoy Halloween with Pokémon! Some of the items will also be available on the Amazon.co.jp Pokémon Store starting on September 14th, 2019 and are denoted with a （★） in the items list.

Items:

Item List:

Plush Halloween Festival! Pikachu - 2,000 yen (★)
Plush Halloween Festival! Celebi - 2,000 yen (★)
Plush Halloween Festival! Lucario - 2,000 yen (★)
Mascot Halloween Festival! Fushigidane - 1,200 yen (★)
Mascot Halloween Festival! Hitokage - 1,200 yen (★)
Mascot Halloween Festival! Squirtle - 1,200 yen (★)
Mascot Halloween Festival! Zorua - 1,200 yen (★)
Stuffed Pouch with Candy Halloween Festival! - 1,500 yen
Rubber Strap Collection Halloween Festival! (7 types selected at random) - 500 yen
Acrylic Charm Halloween Festival! Pikachu - 1,000 yen (★)
Acrylic Charm Halloween Festival! Celebi - 1,000 yen (★)
Acrylic Charm Halloween Festival! Lucario - 1,000 yen (★)
A4 3 Pocket Clear File Halloween Festival! - 400 yen (★)
A4 Clear File Set of 3 Halloween Festival! Pikachu - 700 yen (★)
A4 Clear file Set of 2 Halloween Festival! Lucario - 460 yen (★)
Mini Bath Towel Halloween Festival! 2,000 yen (★)
Hand Towel Halloween Festival! PK - 500 yen (★)
Hand Towel Halloween Festival! FD - 500 yen (★)
Hand Towel Halloween Festival! LC - 500 yen (★)
Pouch Halloween Festival! Pikachu - 1,200 yen (★)
Pouch Halloween Festival! Celebi - 1,200 yen (★)
Pouch Halloween Festival! Lucario - 1,200 yen (★)
PET Stickers Halloween Festival! - 600 yen (★)
T-Shirt Halloween Festival! Pikachu (S / M / L) 3,000 yen each (★)
T-Shirt Halloween Festival! Lucario (S / M / L) 3,000 yen each (★)
T-Shirt Halloween Festival! Gathering (S / M / L) 3,000 yen each (★)
Lucario Hoodie (M / L) - 5,600 yen each (★)
Logo Pins Halloween Festival! - 600 yen (★)
Mug Halloween Festival! - 1,300 yen (★)
Drawstring Pouch Halloween Festival! - 700 yen (★)

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2019/08/190816_p02.html

During the 2019 Pokémon World Championships opening ceremonies, Tsunekazu Ishihara, president and CEO of The Pokémon Company, unveiled Sword & Shield, a new series coming to the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Included in the series are Pokémon V, powerful new cards that will play an important role in players strategies. Event attendees also received a preview of Zacian V and Zamazenta V, which will be available in the series upcoming first expansion. More details about the Pokémon TCG: Sword and Shield Series will be announced soon. Game Freak Director Junichi Masuda also showed up and revealed new battling info for the upcoming games Sword and Shield. High resolution press release pictures have been added to an Imageboard thread

NEW DETAILS FOR POKÉMON SWORD AND POKÉMON SHIELD AND NEXT SERIES IN THE POKÉMON TRADING CARD GAME UNVEILED AT 2019 POKÉMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pokémon Video Game and TCG Announcements Made During Opening Ceremonies at Premier Competitive Pokémon Event ​​​​​​​

Today, The Pokémon Company International announced that Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will be the official video games used for competitive play during the 2020 Play! Pokémon Season and shared new game features that fans can look forward to in the highly anticipated titles. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield will launch November 15, 2019, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch™ system. In addition, The Pokémon Company International debuted the next series in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & Shield, based on the upcoming video games as well as a new type of card, Pokémon V.


Battling in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Trainers can connect to the internet and battle against each other in either Single or Double Battle formats in the Battle Stadium.

In the Battle Stadium, Pokémon Trainers can engage in Ranked Battles where they will face other Trainers and their Battle Teams from across the globe.

• Trainers will battle those with a similar rank and will earn points depending on the results of those battles.
• Each rank in Ranked Battles belongs to a specific tier, and Trainers can increase their rank by earning enough points.
• Trainers can check their own ranking in the Battle Stadium. They can also see how all of the participants placed in a competition on the smartphone version of Pokémon HOME.

In Casual Battles, it’s not about who wins or loses—it’s about becoming a better Trainer.

• One exciting aspect of Casual Battles is the ability to use certain Legendary Pokémon and Mythical Pokémon that are not eligible for Ranked Battles.

Features like Online Competitions and Rental Teams will also allow players to connect with other Trainers in different ways.

Trainers who participate in Online Competitions can battle in either Official Competitions or Friendly Competitions.

• In Official Competitions, participants will take part in special battles with a variety of different rules and restrictions.
• In Friendly Competitions, Trainers can join competitions hosted by other players or even host their own competitions. Regulations in Friendly Competitions are determined by the host.

Rental Teams enable Trainers to borrow Battle Teams by inputting IDs available online—or to make Battle Teams that they’ve put together available as Rental Teams to other Trainers all over the world. Up to five teams can be rented at once, and they can even be used in Ranked Battles.

Dynamaxing and Max Moves
The Dynamax phenomenon not only makes Pokémon huge—it can also give them a boost in power and sway the course of a battle. The Max Moves that only Dynamax Pokémon can use aren’t just powerful but also have impressive additional effects. For example, the Water-type Max Move, Max Geyser, will trigger the rain weather condition, and the Fighting-type Max Move, Max Knuckle, will increase the Attack of all allied Pokémon.

In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, a Trainer’s Pokémon can Dynamax if that Trainer has the Dynamax Band. Pokémon do not have to hold a special item to Dynamax. This means Trainers can choose which one of their Pokémon to Dynamax depending on what’s happening in the battle, and they can even have their Pokémon hold items that boost their strength so they can unleash Max Moves that are even more powerful.

New Abilities and Items
Many new Abilities have been discovered in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. One such Ability is Galarian Weezing’s Neutralizing Gas. This Ability neutralizes the ongoing effects of other Pokémon’s Abilities and even prevents Abilities from being triggered. Once the Pokémon with Neutralizing Gas leaves the battlefield, the Abilities of the other Pokémon will be activated again.


Some Pokémon have rare Abilities known as Hidden Abilities. In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Pokémon caught in Max Raid Battles might have these Hidden Abilities. There is also a very small chance that Trainers will encounter a special Pokémon capable of Gigantamaxing in Max Raid Battles. While extremely rare, by attempting many different battles, there’s a chance they could even encounter a Pokémon that can Gigantamax and has a Hidden Ability. One such Hidden Ability is Corviknight’s Mirror Armor, which will bounce back any stat-lowering effects from an opposing Pokémon’s Abilities or moves.


New items that can be combined with specific moves to give Trainers an edge in battle will also be available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. These items include Room Service and Eject Pack. When held by a Pokémon, Room Service will lower that Pokémon’s Speed when the move Trick Room is successfully used. When a Pokémon holding Eject Pack has any of its stats lowered, it will immediately switch out so another Pokémon can be sent in.

YouTube Clip - Prepare for battle in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaF9iJ9bzUM

YouTube Clip - The Pokémon Trading Card Game continues to eVolve with Pokémon V!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFq4yn8DLRI

For a limited time from September 7th, 2019 until October 31st, 2019, three new items will be added to the Pokémon Cafe menu. The art used in the design of limited placemats and clear coasters is from the "Halloween Festival!" Series, scheduled to be released on Saturday, September 7th, 2019 at Pokémon Center and Pokémon Stores nationwide.

New Halloween 2019 Menu Items:

From September 7th, 2019, the Pokémon Cafe Original Clear Coaster will be renewed and giving out at random with each drink order! There are six types and a very rare secret pattern.


In addition, during the promotional period from September 7th, 2019 until October 31st, 2019, a limited pattern lunch mat and clear coaster will also appear! Be sure to check early because they will be gone soon!


Source: https://www.pokemoncenter-online.com/cafe/news/190816_01.html

For the first time in Japan, for a limited-time, those that are a member of the Pokémon Secret Club and how have pre-ordered Pocket Monsters Sword or Shield will have a chance to play a demo of the upcoming games at an event. At the event, players can challenge a Pokémon Gym, where Rurina, who specializes in water-type Pokémon, it the Gym Leader. This is a chance to experience a powerful battle featuring Dynamax!

The event will be held in Tokyo on September 21st, 2019 and 140 groups of 2 people each of Pokémon Secret Club members will be invited by lottery. If you want to participate, log in to Pokémon Secret Club now and apply! The application deadline ends on August 22nd, 2019 at 19:59.

About the Pokémon Secret Club (ポケモンひみつクラブ)

This is a limited time fan club that only those who have pre-ordered Pocket Monsters Sword or Shield can join and enjoy together until the release of the games. By becoming a club member, you can receive various benefits such as viewing members-only videos and special gifts!

To become a member of the Pokémon Secret Club

You can become a member by reserving Pocket Monsters Sword or Shield, entering the serial code issued at that time of order and your e-mail address on the "Pokémon Secret Club" official website when creating an account!

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2019/08/190816_gm01.html