The official Pokémon website has announced the 2020 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation. Find out which cards will be permitted in the 2020 Pokémon TCG Championship Series season.

2020 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation

At the beginning of every Championship Series season, Pokémon Organized Play removes older expansions from competition in the Standard format, with the goal of maintaining a healthy competitive environment. This rotation challenges existing players to create new strategies and enables new players to get involved in Play! Pokémon events using the most recent releases.

The 2020 season starts July 1, 2019, so players can get an early start on working toward the 2020 Pokémon World Championships. However, the rotation will not occur until August 15, 2019. Importantly, this means that the 2019 Pokémon World Championships, which take place August 16–18, will be the first major event to use the 2020 format and rules as currently listed. For other competitions taking place this summer, be sure to check the event's rules and regulations before attending.

The Standard format for the 2020 season will consist of the following expansions:

• Sun & Moon—Ultra Prism and any expansions released afterward
• Black Star Promo cards numbered SM94 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu

Starting with the 2020 season, cards from McDonald's Collections will be legal in the Standard format if they're functionally identical to a card that is currently legal in the Standard format. For example, Magnemite (McDonald's Collection 2018, 8/12) is functionally the samecard as Magnemite from Sun & Moon—Ultra Prism, so it can still be used in the Standard format.

New expansions become legal for tournament play on the third Friday of the month they are released.

The Expanded Format for 2020

The Expanded format will remain unchanged for the 2020 season. Players should double-check what format is being used before choosing a deck to bring to their local events.

The Expanded format for the 2020 season will consist of the following expansions:

• Black & White and any expansions released afterward
• Black Star Promo cards numbered BW01 and up, XY01 and up, and SM01 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Generations
  • Double Crisis
  • Dragon Vault
  • Shining Legends
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Pokémon TCG: DetectivePikachu
  • Black & White Trainer Kit and any Trainer Kits released afterward
  • McDonald's Collection 2011 and later

New expansions become legal for tournament play on the third Friday of the month they are released.

Please note that several cards are currently banned from the Expanded format. You can find the list of banned cards here.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/2020-season-pokemon-tcg-format-rotation/

The Cape Town Fan Con Comic Con takes place from April 27th, 2019 until April 28th, 2019 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in South Africa. They have teamed up with Niantic to have a special Pokémon Go event during the event. Trainers can get some exclusive in-game bonuses including: Pokémon spawns (more frequent Pokémon appearances in the wild), extended Lure duration and double Stardust.


Source: https://twitter.com/FanConComicCon/status/1118801687081299968

Starting on April 27th, 2019, the Pokémon Centers in Japan will begin selling merchandise featuring Sonansu. The merchandise line is called Say Sonansu Together (みんなでソ～ナンス) which is referring to its really drawn-out cry in the anime. Various items featuring Sonansu and Pokémon with Sonansu's iconic smile and salute pose will be available such as plushies, t-shirts, hand towel, key rings and other various items. Some of the items will also be available on the Amazon.co.jp Pokémon Store starting on May 11th, 2019 and are denoted with a（★）in the items list. More images of the merchandise have been added to an Imageboard thread.

Items:

Items List:

Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu - 1,800 yen (★)
Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon - 1,800 yen (★)
Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui - 1,800 yen (★)
Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Sonansu - 1,800 yen (★)
Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Mitsuhoney - 1,800 yen (★)
Plushie - Say Sonansu Together - Tabunne - 1,800 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu - 1,100 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon - 1,100 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui - 1,100 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Sonansu - 1,100 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Mitsuhoney - 1,100 yen (★)
Mascot Plush - Say Sonansu Together - Tabunne - 1,100 yen (★)
Round Can Collection Colorful Ramune - Say Sonansu Together - 300 yen each. 5 different patterns + 1 secret. You cannot select the pattern.
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Sonansu (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Mitsuhoney (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
T-Shirt - Say Sonansu Together - Tabunne (S / M) - 3,000 yen (★)
Pouch including Karabiner - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu Face 1,100 yen (★)
Pouch including Karabiner - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon Face 1,100 yen (★)
Pouch including Karabiner - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui Face 1,100 yen (★)
Mobile Pouch - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu - 2,000 yen (★)
Mobile Pouch - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon - 2,000 yen (★)
Mobile Pouch - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui - 2,000 yen (★)
A4 Clear File - Say Sonansu Together - 240 yen
Hand Towel - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu - 500 yen (★)
Hand Towel - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon - 500 yen (★)
Hand Towel - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui - 500 yen (★)
Phone Case for iPhone 8 / 7 / 6s / 6 - Say Sonansu Together - 1,880 yen (★)
Phone Case for iPhone Xs / X - Say Sonansu Together - 2,000 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu - 800 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Metamon - 800 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Eievui - 800 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Sonansu - 800 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Mitsuhoney - 800 yen (★)
Acrylic Key Ring and Stand - Say Sonansu Together - Tabunne - 800 yen (★)
Can Badge Collection - Say Sonansu Together - 300 yen each. 5 different cans + 1 secret. You can not select a pattern.
B6 Ring Notebook - Say Sonansu Together - 600 yen (★)
Repealable Stickers - Say Sonansu Together - 600 yen (★)
Croquis Book SQ - Say Sonansu Together - 530 yen (★)
3 Pairs of short socks - Say Sonansu Together - Pikachu / Metamon / Eievui / Sonansu / Mitsuhoney / Tabunne - Size: 23 cm ~ 25 cm - 1,000 yen
Mug - Say Sonansu Together - 1,300 yen (★)
Sticky Note Paper Set - Say Sonansu Together - 600 yen (★)
Purse - Say Sonansu Together - 650 yen (★)
Mini Tote - Say Sonansu Together - 1,600 yen (★)
Flat Case - Say Sonansu Together - 1,300 yen (★)

Sources: https://www.pokemon.jp/info/pokecen/detail/20190412_16467.html and https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2019/04/190412_p01.html

The official Pokémon movie website has updated. Translations follow:

Draw Pokémon and get Extravagant Prizes! It's Fun Even Though You're an Adult Now! Try Your Hand at the Nostalgic Pokémon Drawing Contest!!

Submission deadline: Monday April 15th to Thursday July 11th at 23:59



Download the drawing form, color it in, then draw whatever Pokémon and other pictures you want around it!
If you post your finished drawing on Twitter,
you'll be entered in a lottery where 3 winners will receive a set consisting of a "Nintendo Switch" and a copy of either the Nintendo Switch game "Pocket Monsters Let's Go! Pikachu" or "Pocket Monsters Let's Go! Eievui"!
Read the explanation of how to enter carefully, then send in your submission.

How to enter

1) Download the entry form and complete your drawing.


2) Follow the official Pokémon movie Twitter account (＠pokemon_movie), then tweet your drawing with the hashtags #ミュウツーの逆襲 #イラコン attached!
*Submissions may be posted on the official movie website.
Note that your submission being posted does not mean you have won.
*Please make sure the Twitter account you're using for your entry is set to "public" before you tweet your submission.

Announcement of winners
The winners will be notified via a direct message from the official Pokémon Movie Twitter account.
*Only the winners will be notified via these direct messages.
*Make sure you can receive direct messages.

Notes
*The submitted drawings may be posted to this website or used in other kinds of promotion for the movie. Compensation and exploitation rights do not apply in these instances.
*Please note that if the campaign's executive office (hereafter referred to as the organizers) decide a drawing is inappropriate, it may be removed without further notice if already posted on the site.
We do also not have any obligations to explain our reasons or answer inquires regarding the refusal to use a drawing if this happens.
*Your tweet with your submitted drawing may be shared or retweeted by the official movie Twitter account or on the official movie website.
In this case, your tweet may be edited before it's posted.
Also, note that having your drawing shared in this manner does not mean you have won.
*Only those living in Japan are able to apply for the prizes.
*Submitted drawings must be the entrants own.
*The organizers will bear no responsibility in case of receiving inquires, complaints, injunctions or compensation claims from third parties regarding submitted drawings, and the entrant themselves will have to handle and settle all related expenses and responsibilities.
*The organizers will bear no responsibility for any damage suffered by the participants due to the creation, posting or use by the organizer of drawings for any reason (except in case of willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the organizers).

On the prize lottery/winner announcement:
After a properly overseen lottery, the winners will be contacted by the campaign's executive office.
The winners will be contacted and announced in early August 2019.
We will not be able to answer any questions regarding the status of any submissions or the winners.
The status of winner is only to be held by the actual winners themselves, and may not be transferred to another person or exchanged for money.
After the winners have been chosen, the winners will be notified that they have won via a direct message from the campaign's executive office.
*Please set your account to allow for direct message replies.
If the winner can not be contacted due to an unknown or disconnected phone number or address, the winner's status as winner will be voided.

On the handling of personal information:
The winners' personal information will be handled by Shogakukan (hereafter referred to as the company).
We will not provide third parties with this personal information without consent, unless required by law or when necessary to notify the winners or providing necessary information to courier services etc.
All personal information obtained will only be used for this campaign and will not be utilized for any other purpose.

Disclaimer:
This campaign utilizes services provided by other companies. For this reason, failures and errors not attributable to this company may occur.
We do not accept inquiries regarding selection methods, confirmation on whether a submitted entry has been accepted, or questions regarding anyone's winner status.
This campaign is not connected to Twitter Inc.
This campaign is subject to change without notice.
We are not responsible for any damages caused by the campaign's interruption or cancellation.

Source: https://www.pokemon-movie.jp/illust_contest/2/

The 7-Eleven app is having a Detective Pikachu promotion where users can play an AR game to save the Pokémon and gain access to exclusive clips from the movie. App users can also get 7REWARDS to use towards unlocking deals. There is also a contest to win free Slurpee drinks for a year.

Play to Unlock These Deals:

Week 1: April 10th, 2019 - Free Pizza Slice
Week 2: April 17th, 2019 - Free mini Tacos (4-Pack)
Week 3: April 24th, 2019 - Free Coffee
Week 4: May 1st, 2019 - Free Bone-in Chicken Wings (5-Pack)

POKÉMON ARE MISSING!

Join the Neighborhood Watch and help us find them. Get the 7-Eleven app for all our POKÉMON Detective Pikachu fun. Play the AR game to save the Pokémon and gain access to exclusive clips from the movie.

You'll also unlock the exclusive deals below and extra 7REWARDS points to redeem for your favorite items.

Download the app and discover why it pays to play.

Deals and Swag:

Can you get to the bottom of the Mystery Slurpee?

Your chance at FREE Slurpee® drinks for a year depends on it. Guess the 3 flavors in our new Mystery Slurpee and be entered for a chance to win FREE Slurpee drinks for an entire year.

• Follow @Slurpee on Instagram & make sure your page is public
• Capture your Mystery Slurpee moment with a picture or video*
• Post your moment ALONG with your 3 flavor guesses to your Insta using #MysterySlurpee #Sweepstakes #DetectivePikachu
• Last day to enter is 5/21/19

Wait in anticipation for us to announce the winners at the end of May.

Source: https://www.7-eleven.com/detective-pikachu

Icon Comic and Games Convention takes place from Saturday, April 20th, 2019 until Monday, April 22nd, 2019 at Emperors Palace in South Africa. It is the premier comics, gaming and pop culture event for South Africa. They have teamed up with Niantic to have a special Pokémon Go event during the event. Trainers can get some exclusive in-game bonuses including: Pokémon spawns (more frequent Pokémon appearances in the wild) and extended Lure duration.


Sources: https://twitter.com/IconCGC/status/1116959201740382208 and http://www.iconcgc.co.za/pokemongoapp-partnering-with-icon2019-at-emperors-palace/