The sixth online competition for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon has been announced. 2017 International Challenge April will take place from Friday, April 28, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 23:59 UTC. Full details are listed below and on our 7th Generation Online Competitions page which will be updated as new tournaments are announced.

2017 International Challenge April

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, April 28, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, April 30, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Ranking Results Announcement: May 2017 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 2002 or later Masters Division: Born 2001 or earlier Junior/Senior Division players are limited to playing between 6 A.M. and 11 P.M., based on the easternmost time zone in each player’s country. Compatible Games: Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Battle Type: Double Battle Banned Pokémon: Eligible Pokémon were restricted to those that were caught, traded, hatched from Eggs, or received as a Mystery Gift in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon. Each Pokémon must have a black clover symbol on its Summary page. Players could use only Pokémon from the Alola Pokédex. Only the Alola form of Pokémon with regional variants could be used. Zygarde, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, and Magearna could not be used. Mega Stones were not allowed. Entry Gift: Qualified participants in the 2017 International Challenge April Online Competition will receive a Sceptilite Mega Stone, a Blazikenite Mega Stone, and a Swampertite Mega Stone. Additionally, participants will be eligible to earn Championship Points.
Description
This Online Competition features Trainers from around the world using the 2017 Championship Series format, featuring Double Battles with Pokémon found in the Alola Pokédex. Pokémon must have been acquired in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon (they must have the black clover on their Summary page). The top players in each age division will receive Championship Points, which contribute toward the chances of earning an invitation to the Pokémon World Championships. Players must be opted in to the Play! Pokémon program and have a Player ID at the time the competition begins to be eligible for Championship Points. Additionally, all qualified Trainers who play in at least three battles will earn Sceptilite, Blazikenite, and Swampertite Mega Stones, the items needed to make Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert Mega Evolve in battle.
Competition Rules
• Items are allowed, but Trainers may not have duplicate items in their Battle Team. • Register four to six of your Pokémon to your Battle Team. • All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match. • Four of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match. • A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. When a player’s time limit expires, that player will lose the game. • At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select four Pokémon with which to battle. • At the beginning of each turn, players have 45 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made their selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player. • Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/2264176e-fe49-4c1b-99c6-c970d74d8ae9

The Pokémon Company International announced on their Japanese website that 7651 more players have been banned for illegally altering save game data. Players that have been banned are unable to use any of the Pokémon Global Link's online features including: Game Sync, Rating Battles, Battle Competitions and Global Missions. This brings the total to 13605 banned users as 5954 players were banned in January 2017.

Players that have been banned will receive the Error Code: 090-0212 and a message stating that connecting to the Pokémon Global Link is prohibited.

The press release also states that they will continue to ban more player in the future without notice that illegally modify game data.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/b87bc53f-7144-44ba-9a29-59bd00330d84

The fourth online competition for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon has been announced. Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble (カントー×アローラ) will take place from Friday, March 17, 2017 at 00:00 UTC through Sunday, March 19, 2017, at 23:59 UTC. Full details are listed below and on our 7th Generation Online Competitions page which will be updated as new tournaments are announced.

Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble (カントー×アローラ)

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, March 9, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Thursday, March 16, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, March 17, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, March 19, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Max number of participants: 50 000 Ranking Results Announcement: April 2017 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 2002 or later Masters Division: Born 2001 or earlier Junior/Senior Division players are limited to playing between 6 A.M. and 11 P.M., based on the easternmost time zone in each player’s country. Compatible Games: Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Battle Type: Single Battle Banned Pokémon: Players could only use Pokémon from the Kanto and Alola region Pokédexes. Mewtwo, Mew, Zygarde, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, and Magearna could not be used. Mega Stones were not allowed. Entry Gift: Qualified participants in the Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble Online Competition will receive the Mega Stones Pidgeotite and Steelixite. To qualify, players must earn a place in the rankings by completing at least three battles.
Description
Get ready to compete in the Kanto x Alola Regional Rumble Online Competition! In this competition, the only Pokémon you can use are those you could discover in the Kanto region in Pokémon Red, Pokémon Blue, or Pokémon Yellow, along with Pokémon of the Alola region you can find in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. All qualified participants will earn a Pidgeotite and a Steelixite for playing. These Mega Stones allow your Pidgeot and Steelix to Mega Evolve during battle.
Competition Rules
• Items are allowed, but Trainers may not have duplicate items in their Battle Team. • Register three to six of your Pokémon to your Battle Team. • All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match. • Three of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match. • A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the sta rt of each battle. When a player’s time limit expires, that player will lose the game. • At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select three Pokémon with which to battle. • At the beginning of each turn, players have 45 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made their selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player. • Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/65b18aaf-bbe2-47fb-97c5-89034f8bd8d5

The third online competition for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon has been announced. 2017 International Challenge February will take place from Friday, February 24, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, February 26, 2017 at 23:59 UTC. Full details are listed below and on our 7th Generation Online Competitions page which will be updated as new tournaments are announced.

2017 International Challenge February

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, February 16, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, February 24, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, February 26, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Max number of participants: 50 000 Ranking Results Announcement: March 2017 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 2002 or later Masters Division: Born 2001 or earlier Junior/Senior Division players are limited to playing between 6 A.M. and 11 P.M., based on the easternmost time zone in each player’s country. Compatible Games: Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Battle Type: Double Battle Banned Pokémon: Players could only use Pokémon from the Alolan Pokédex. Only the Alola Form of Pokémon with regional variants could be used. Zygarde, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma and Magearna could not be used. Mega Stones were not allowed. Entry Gift: Qualified participants in the 2017 International Challenge February Online Competition will receive a Mawilite Mega Stone and a Beedrillite Mega Stone.
Description
The first International Challenge featuring the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games is here! The 2017 International Challenge February will use the same rules and regulations as Pokémon Video Game Championship Series events, and you can even earn Championship Points toward an invitation to the 2017 Pokémon Video Game World Championships in August.
Competition Rules
• Items are allowed, but Trainers may not have duplicate items in their Battle Team. • Register three to six of your Lv. 1–100 Pokémon to your Battle Team. • All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match. • Three of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match. • A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. When a player’s time limit expires, that player will lose the game. • At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select three Pokémon with which to battle. • At the beginning of each turn, players have 60 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player. • Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/4cfcca44-671b-4cce-b818-e78a9d9075e5

The Pokémon Global Link website announced the details for the 3rd Pokémon Sun and Moon Global Mission. "Trade Pokémon at the GTS!" will take place from January 30th, 2017 until February 14th, 2017 at 00:00 UTC.

Participate in the New “Trade Pokémon at the GTS!” Global Mission

The “Trade Pokémon at the GTS!” global mission is active in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon through February 14, 2017, at 00:00 UTC. Remember to use Game Sync to contribute your tally of trades via the Global Trade Station to the total!

If everyone teams up to make 1 million trades at the GTS, you’ll receive 2,000 Festival Coins.

If you've signed up for a PGL account before the global mission ends and the global goal reaches 1 million trades at the GTS, you’ll receive 4,000 Festival Coins—but if 2 million trades are registered then the reward will also include a Friend Ball!

If the goal isn’t reached, you’ll still receive 200 Festival Coins for participating, while PGL members receive 400 FC.

Here’s how you can join the fun:
1. Talk with the global mission receptionist in the Festival Plaza castle and enter the global mission.
2. Back at the Festival Plaza, select Trade and then GTS.
3. Trade as many Pokémon as possible at the GTS before February 14, 2017, at 00:00 UTC.
​4. Check in with the global mission receptionist in Festival Plaza before February 14, 2017, at 00:00 UTC to record your progress.

You don’t need to be a Pokémon Global Link member to participate in global missions, but as a bonus, players who have registered their Game Sync ID at the PGL will earn double the Festival Coins, and any PGL member who reports five or more trades will earn five Rare Candies!

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/58dccacf-34eb-4d1e-accc-4313cf82d5b5

The Pokémon Global Link has updated for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon and the new feature QR Rental Teams is now available to use. Players can publicly share their own teams and to use Battle Teams designed by other players by creating or scanning in QR Code patterns. Frequently used QR Rental Teams are posted on the Pokémon Global Link website.

Discover QR Code Rental Teams

Battle with teams designed by other players with the QR Rental Teams feature. With this feature you can try out teams and strategies that would ordinarily take a long time to put together, or help a friend battle against a variety of teams. Rental Teams make it easy to practice and prepare like never before! But when it comes time for a real competition, you’ll have to put together your own team—Rental Teams aren’t allowed in formal tournaments.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/0a25782c-0d6b-4c46-bb5c-8018756c061a

Host your own Friendly Competition now!

Set up your own small tournaments for your pals to play in with Friendly Competitions. Customize your competition’s format and regulations so you can battle any way you want. Use the PGL to host either an Online Competition or a Live Competition, set your competition name and regulations, and then make it public or private.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/30247b86-8783-4b75-85f2-4ab9bcd301bb

The Pokémon Company International announced on their Japanese website that 5954 players have been banned so far for illegally altering save game data. Players that have been banned are unable to use any of the Pokémon Global Link's online features including: Game Sync, Rating Battles, Battle Competitions and Global Missions.

Players that have been banned will receive the Error Code: 090-0212 and a message stating that connecting to the Pokémon Global Link is prohibited.

The press release also states that they will continue to ban more player in the future without notice that illegally modify game data.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/b87bc53f-7144-44ba-9a29-59bd00330d84

The second online competition for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon has been announced. Alola Friendly (アローラフレンドリー) will take place from Friday, January 27, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, January 29, 2017, at 23:59 UTC. Full details are listed below and on our 7th Generation Online Competitions page which will be updated as new tournaments are announced.

Alola Friendly (アローラフレンドリー)

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Thursday, January 19, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Thursday, January 26, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, January 27, 2017, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, January 29, 2017, at 23:59 UTC Max number of participants: 50 000 Ranking Results Announcement: February 2017 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 2002 or later Masters Division: Born 2001 or earlier Junior/Senior Division players are limited to playing between 6 A.M. and 11 P.M., based on the easternmost time zone in each player’s country. Compatible Games: Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Battle Type: Single Battle Banned Pokémon: Players may use only Pokémon from the Alolan Pokédex. All Mythical and Legendary Pokémon are not allowed. Mega Stones are not allowed. Entry Gift: Qualified participants in the Alola Friendly Online Competition will receive 50 Battle Points. To qualify, players must earn a place in the rankings by completing at least three battles.
Description
Get ready to battle once again with Pokémon from the Alola region in the Alola Friendly Online Competition! This tournament will be played using the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games, using only Pokémon found in the Alola Pokédex.
Competition Rules
• Items are allowed, but Trainers may not have duplicate items in their Battle Team. • Register three to six of your Lv. 1–100 Pokémon to your Battle Team. • All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match. • Three of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match. • A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome has not been determined when the time limit expires, the game will automatically apply tiebreakers to determine a winner. • At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select three Pokémon with which to battle. • At the beginning of each turn, players have 60 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player. • Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/173540c6-ac2a-4d47-b5db-b9a2a197607e

The second Global Mission for Pokémon Sun and Moon has been announced and is now available. Players need to catch or defeat 1 million Pokémon using Island Scan between December 27th, 2016 and January 9th, 2017 at 00:00 UTC. Players will receive 2,017 Festival Coins (in honor of the new year) if the goal is reach but if the goal isn’t reached, players will still get 217 Festival Coins. For participating players who have registered their Game Sync ID at the Pokémon Global Link, they will earn double the Festival Coins, 434 Festival Coins for participating or 4,034 Festival Coins for reaching the global goal!

Participate in the New “Find Pokémon Using Island Scan!” Global Mission

The “Find Pokémon Using Island Scan!” global mission is now active in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon. Find and then defeat or catch as many Pokémon as you can after using the Island Scan function in your game by January 9, 2017, at 00:00 UTC!

The Island Scan feature in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon helps you find rare Pokémon that you can’t usually locate in the Alola region. Before you can use this great tool to find rare Pokémon, you’ll need to earn 100 points by scanning QR Code patterns with the QR Scanner. Here’s what you need to know to get started.

You can find different types of QR Code patterns in various places, including:

• Alola Pokédex QR Code: These QR Code patterns are displayed in your Pokédex when you catch Pokémon. Scan these QR Code patterns from a friend’s game to earn 10 points for each scan.
• Special QR Code: These QR Code patterns are specially prepared for the QR Scanner. Each QR Code pattern contains information about a particular Pokémon. For example, those who have completed the main story in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon can now get the Mythical Pokémon Magearna via the QR Scanner. You’ll earn 20 points for each Special QR Code pattern scan.

Once you have earned at least 100 points in a single day by scanning QR Code patterns, Island Scan becomes available on the QR Scanner screen. Select Island Scan or press the X Button. Next, press the R Button or A Button to start scanning for a Pokémon that you won’t find elsewhere in Alola. When you pick up the trace of a nearby Pokémon, you’ll only have a short time to find it and catch it, so be ready. You can use this feature only once per day, so scan more QR Code patterns every day for the chance to encounter another of these Pokémon.

If everyone teams up to find 1 million Pokémon using Island Scan, you’ll get 2,017 Festival Coins (in honor of the new year). If the goal isn’t reached, you’ll still get 217 Festival Coins for participating. As a bonus, players who have registered their Game Sync ID at the Pokémon Global Link will earn double the Festival Coins—434 Festival Coins for participating or 4,034 Festival Coins for reaching the global goal!

Follow these steps to join the global mission:
1. Enter Festival Plaza in Pokémon Sun or Pokémon Moon by selecting it in your in-game menu, which you’ll find by pressing the X Button.
2. Enter Festival Plaza’s central castle.
3. Speak to the global mission receptionist on the right and let her know you want to participate in the global mission.
4. Remember to return before the mission ends to sync your game to add to the global count! Once you are participating in the global mission, talk to the receptionist to have your progress sent to the server. Also, if you have registered your game to a PGL account, simply connecting to the Internet while in Festival Plaza will cause your game to sync automatically, which will send your progress to the server.

How to Check Your Progress Toward the Global Goal

Talk to the receptionist to check on the overall progress toward the goal and to update your own progress as well. You can also check on the progress by visiting the home page of the Pokémon Global Link.

Good luck participating in the “Find Pokémon Using Island Scan!” global mission!

Here are five Special QR Code patterns for you to scan in your game to get started:


Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/48e2bb06-eb05-4a77-9044-6ebf157fff59

The first online competition for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon has been announced. Battle of Alola (アローラビギニング) will take place from Friday, December 16, 2016, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 23:59 UTC. Full details are listed below and on our 7th Generation Online Competitions page which will be updated as new tournaments are announced.

Battle of Alola (アローラビギニング)

Information
Region: International Registration Period: Wednesday, December 7, 2016, at 00:00 UTC, through Thursday, December 15, 2016, at 23:59 UTC Tournament Period: Friday, December 16, 2016, at 00:00 UTC, through Sunday, December 18, 2016, at 23:59 UTC Max number of participants: 50 000 Ranking Results Announcement: December 2016 Player divisions: Junior/Senior Division: Born 2002 or later Masters Division: Born 2001 or earlier Junior/Senior Division players are limited to playing between 6 A.M. and 11 P.M., based on the easternmost time zone in each player’s country. Compatible Games: Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Battle Type: Single Battle Banned Pokémon: Players may use Ash-Greninja and Pokémon with Alola Pokédex numbers 1–204, 206–288, and 293–299; players are allowed to include one special Pokémon in their Battle Team. Entry Gift: Qualified participants in the Battle of Alola Online Competition will receive 50 Battle Points. To qualify, players must earn a place in the rankings by completing at least three battles.
Description
Pokémon Online Competitions have returned for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon with the Battle of Alola! In this first tournament to use the new games, naturally the only Pokémon that will be permitted are ones you’ve found in the Alola region. Registration for this tournament has begun, so sign up today. Everyone who participates will receive 50 Battle Points in their game. Kicking off a new era of Online Competitions, the Battle of Alola features the Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon games. Create a team using only the Pokémon found in the Alola region. The battles will be Single Battles, and only three of the six Pokémon in your party will enter each battle. All Pokémon will be set to Lv. 50 for the duration of the battle. Plus, items will not be allowed. Good luck in the Battle of Alola!
Competition Rules
• Register three to six of your Lv. 1–100 Pokémon to your Battle Team. • All Pokémon in this competition will automatically become Lv. 50 for the duration of each match. • Three of the Pokémon you register to your Battle Team will be chosen to battle in each match. • A 10-minute time limit for each player will automatically be enforced in-game, beginning at the start of each battle. If the outcome has not been determined when the time limit expires, the game will automatically apply tiebreakers to determine a winner. • At the beginning of each battle, players have 90 seconds to select three Pokémon with which to battle. • At the beginning of each turn, players have 60 seconds to select a move or change the Pokémon in battle. If a player has not made his or her selections at the end of this period, the game will automatically make selections for the player. • Players may battle up to 15 games per day of the competition. Any unplayed games will carry over to the following day. A new day begins at 00:00 UTC.

Source: https://3ds.pokemon-gl.com/information/200e0ae6-bd5b-4ca9-8508-ceb361153306