At participating stores that sell Pokémon Card Game merchandise in Japan, the Infinity Zone Challenge Campaign (ムゲンダイナチャレンジキャンペーン) will be held. A special mini card box and promotional card pack with 5 cards will be available only during this campaign. Those that purchase 2 Infinity Zone boxes (60 packs) can get the Pokémon Center Lady (ポケモンセンターのお姉さん) 069/S-P promo card. The campaign starts on Friday, June 5th, 2020 until supplies last.


Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2020/20200512_002401.html#cp2

On April 24th, 2020, it was announced that Pokémon Detective Pikachu would make its terrestrial television debut on May 22nd, 2020 as an uncut broadcast from 9PM to 10:59 PM JST. The official Japanese Detective Pikachu Twitter account posted the announcement and linked to NTV's website which had an article about the movie.


To celebrate the broadcast, a campaign will be held at the Pokémon Center Online and Pokémon Centers and Pokémon Stores to get the promo card, Detective Pikachu" (099/S-P) from Friday, May 22nd, 2020, 10 a.m. until supplies last.

Pokémon Center Online

① Purchase 5 or more expansion packs, including 1 pack or more of the Movie Special Pack "Detective Pikachu", to get 1 promo card "Detective Pikachu". (limited to one promo card per order)
② Purchase at least 1 box (20 packs) of the Movie Special Pack "Detective Pikachu" and get 4 "Detective Pikachu" promo cards. (Up to 4 promo cards per order)

Pokémon Centers and Stores Nationwide

Purchase 5 or more expansion packs including 1 pack or more of the Movie Special Pack "Detective Pikachu" to get 1 promo card "Detective Pikachu". (Up to 4 promo cards per order)

At the time of this news article, the Pokémon Centers and Stores in Japan are closed due to COVID-19 but the Pokémon Center Online is still open for online orders. The official card game site noted that this campaign maybe canceled for in-store purchases.

Sources: https://kinro.ntv.co.jp/article/detail/20200424

The official Pokémon website has announced that the Play! Pokémon Players Cup Online Tournament will take place in two stages, in July and August.

Play! Pokémon Players Cup Online Tournament: Pokémon TCG, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

Prepare for an incredible online Pokémon competition!

Masters Division competitors in the Pokémon TCG, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield (using the 2020 Video Game Championships [VGC] format) will have the chance to prove they're the very best in a prestigious new online tournament: the Pokémon Players Cup. Not only will this event give you the chance to show you're among the strongest competitors in the world, but you can also look forward to watching lots of high-level matches between top Trainers.

The Pokémon Players Cup will have two stages. In July, eligible players will compete in a double-elimination bracket, broken down by rating zones, to determine the top players in each rating zone. Then those top finishers will face off in the final stage of the Pokémon Players Cup in August, when the winner will be crowned as the champion of the Pokémon Players Cup and earn a Travel Award to a future International Championships event.

Pokémon TCG and VGC competitors will need to qualify through their performance in upcoming events. Pokémon TCG competitors will qualify for the Pokémon Players Cup through their ranking on the June Leaderboard (Standard format, Tournament Rep) in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online. Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield competitors will qualify through the International Challenge May Online Competition, which runs from May 21 to 24, 2020, and will use the 2020 Video Game Championships format. (In order to be eligible, competitors will need to link their Nintendo Account with their Pokémon Trainer Club account before signing up.) Make sure to bring your A game to these upcoming qualifiers so you can compete in the Pokémon Players Cup!

Pokkén Tournament DX competitors will be able to register directly for the first stage of the Pokémon Players Cup at a future date.

Each of the Pokémon TCG, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield competitions will kick off with a special invitational event. The winners will qualify for the final stage of the Pokémon Players Cup, so make sure to follow along.

Masters Division competitors in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Video Game Championships will need to finish among the top eligible Trainers in their rating zone for the May International Challenge to qualify for the Pokémon Players Cup.

• North America: Top 256
• Europe: Top 256
• Oceania: Top 128
• Latin America: Top 256

Good luck qualifying for the Pokémon Players Cup, Trainers. Practice hard so you can prove you have what it takes to win it all!

Only Masters Division players who have opted in to participating in all available Play! Pokémon programs are eligible to participate in the Play! Pokémon Players Cup Online Tournament.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/play-pokemon-players-cup-online-tournament-pokemon-tcg-pokken-tournament-dx-and-pokemon-sword-and-pokemon-shield/

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Figure Collection was available as of May 1st, 2020 in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

More Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region have arrived in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, and this set commemorates their arrival with a beautifully sculpted figure that showcases the region’s three first partner Pokémon. The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Figure Collection includes a wonderful figure that features Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble along with an incredible full-art foil card featuring longtime favorite Pikachu. There are even four Pokémon TCG booster packs so you can add even more cards to your collection. Whether you’re a veteran explorer of the Galar region or just getting started, celebrate the Pokémon who’ve been at your side from the very beginning with the Sword & Shield Figure Collection!

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Figure Collection includes:

• 1 full-art foil card featuring Pikachu
• 1 figure of Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble together
• 4 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sword-shield-figure-collection

The Pokémon Company announced on the official Pokémon website the 2021 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation.

2021 Season Pokémon TCG Format Rotation

Find out which cards will be permitted in the 2021 Pokémon TCG Championship Series season.

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. Events taking place after August 28, 2020 will use the 2021 season Standard Format.

The Standard format for the 2021 season will consist of the following expansions:

• Sun & Moon—Team Up and any expansions released afterward
• Black Star Promo cards numbered SM158 and up and SWSH001 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Hidden Fates (excluding all cards from the Shiny Vault subset other than Lycanroc-GX SV67/SV94)
  • Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu
  • Cards from McDonald's Collections will be legal in the Standard format only if they're functionally identical to a card that is currently legal in the Standard format. New expansions become legal for tournament play on two weeks after they are released.

All cards from the Sword & Shield Series have a letter in the bottom-left corner called a regulation mark. In the future, this mark will determine which cards are allowed in tournament play. For the 2021 season, all cards with the “D” regulation mark are legal to use in tournaments. New cards with this regulation mark still must follow the appropriate waiting period to become tournament legal (typically two weeks).

The Expanded Format for 2021

The Expanded format will remain unchanged for the 2021 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 2021 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, SM01 and up, and SWSH001 and up
• Cards from the following products are also legal:
  • Generations
  • Double Crisis
  • Dragon Vault
  • Shining Legends
  • Dragon Majesty
  • Hidden Fates
  • Pokémon TCG: Detective Pikachu
  • Black & White Trainer Kit and any Trainer Kits released afterward
  • McDonald's Collection 2011 and later

New expansions become legal for tournament play two weeks after 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/2021-season-pokemon-tcg-format-rotation/

In light of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), The Pokémon Company has decided to cancel the Pokémon Japan Championships 2020 (PJCS2020), which was scheduled to be held at Pacifico Yokohama on Saturday, June 27th, 2020 and Sunday, June 28th, 2020. Our list of COVID-19 canceled Pokémon Events has been updated with this announcement.

The Pokémon Company thanks you for your continued patronage of Pokémon games and card games. At the same time, they would like to apologize to everyone who was looking forward to the event. The health and safety of the contestants, staff, and the local community was their top priority, and they appreciate your understanding.

Due to the cancellation of PJCS2020, the granting of entry rights to the top winners of the 2020 International Challenge, to be held or scheduled to be held in April/May, to the PJCS2020 Game Division has been cancelled. Please also note that the carry-over of the entry rights for the PJCS 2020 games that were granted to the top winners of the 2020 International Challenge February, including those for PJCS 2021, has not yet been determined, so they will consider this matter again, depending on the circumstances.

The "2020 International Challenge May", an Internet competition for Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield is scheduled to be held in May 2020.

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/info/2020/04/200422_at01.html

The official Pokémon website has announced that players of the Pokémon TCG Online can get a weekly Log-in Bonus and earn double Trainer Tokens from Daily Versus Reward throughout April 2020.

Spring into the Pokémon TCG Online

Claim a special weekly log-in bonus and earn double Trainer Tokens from Daily Versus Rewards throughout April.

Now's a great time to battle in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online! Throughout April 2020, players can earn a special weekly log-in bonus that includes digital booster packs and Trainer Tokens. Plus, you'll earn double the usual Trainer Tokens from Daily Versus Rewards.

The Pokémon TCG Online is the free-to-play, online version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game that features all the latest cards, including the entire Sword & Shield expansion. Experience the fun of battling with amazing Pokémon V and incredible Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/spring-into-the-pokemon-tcg-online/

The official Pokémon website has posted a notice that all sanctioned Play! Pokémon events are canceled through May 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 virus spreading around the world. Our list of COVID-19 canceled Pokémon Events has been updated with this announcement.

Important Update Regarding Play! Pokémon Events

The safety and well-being of our community, both competitors and organizers, is our top priority.

After discussions with event organizers and pursuant to guidance set forth by local, regional, and national health authorities, as well as the World Health Organization, all Play! Pokémon-sanctioned events through May 14, 2020 in North America, Latin America, South America, Oceania, South Africa, and Europe have been canceled. This includes all Pokémon Regional Championships, Special Events, League Challenges, League Cups, Premier Challenges, Midseason Showdowns, and Prerelease tournaments. No championship points will be awarded during this time. While independent of Pokémon, organizers of these events should act in the best interest of their event and community, including always being mindful of the safety of participants. We appreciate their cooperation and partnership during this challenging time. We are continuing to closely monitor health mandates, guidelines, and recommendations from appropriate government agencies while evaluating all independent and Pokémon-organized events on a case-by-case basis.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/important-update-regarding-play-pokemon-events/

The only Pokémon Regional Championships scheduled for Canada in 2020 was to be held on March 13th, 2020 to March 15th, 2020 at The International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Organizers announced after the events official start time that the event had been canceled and many participants had already entered the venue. This already compounds a very bad season for competitive play for Pokémon. A memo sent throughout the Ontario provincial health system by Dr. David Williams, the provinces chief medical officer, recommended that Ontarians not travel outside of Canada and gatherings larger than 250 people be canceled.

The official Pokémon website updated later on Friday, March 13th, 2020 with the cancellation of 3 other regional events as well. The Regional Championships event for Perth Australia on March 14th and 15th, 2020 appears to be going ahead as scheduled. Our list of COVID-19 canceled Pokémon Events has been updated with this announcement.

For the Health and Safety of the Play! Pokémon Community, Some Events Have Been Canceled

Please read this article for more information regarding specific upcoming 2020 events.

The safety and well-being of our community, both competitors and organizers, is our top priority. Organizers of League, Regional, and Special Events are independent of Pokémon and act in the best interest of their event and community, including always being mindful of the safety of all attendees. Out of an abundance of caution, and after discussions with event organizers regarding recommendations and guidance set forth by local and national health authorities, the following events are canceled:

• Mississauga/Toronto Regional Championships, scheduled for March 13-15
• Charlotte Regional Championships, scheduled for March 20-22
• Regional de Pokémon de Joinville em Santa Catarina 2020, scheduled for March 28-29
• Salt Lake City Pokémon Regional Championships, scheduled for April 4-5

Please visit the event websites for updates and Pokemon.com/PlayPokemon for more information on Play! Pokémon events. We are evaluating all independent and Pokémon-organized events on a case-by-case basis based on the most up-to-date information and recommendations provided by appropriate government organizations. We appreciate your continued support and understanding during this challenging time.

Should I be concerned about COVID-19 at Play! Pokémon events?

The safety and well-being of our community, both competitors and organizers, is our top priority.

We strongly advise all attendees, volunteers, and organizers to consider the guidelines issued by the WHO with regards to health and wellness while attending mass gatherings when determining whether to attend an event. At the event, all attendees should follow the protocols set forth by local health authorities and the WHO.

Please check for updates regarding Play! Pokémon events on our website and @PlayPokemon. If you have additional questions, please contact Pokémon Customer Service.

What precautions are you taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at your events?

Out of an abundance of caution, we are altering several aspects of player interaction at Pokémon organized events, such as removing the requirement to shake hands before and after matches. We are making hand-sanitizers available to attendees while also taking additional measures to sanitize surfaces as much as possible. We strongly advise all attendees, volunteers, and organizers follow the protocols issued by the WHO with regards to health and wellness while attending mass gatherings.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/for-the-health-and-safety-of-the-play-pokemon-community-some-events-have-been-canceled/

Toronto Regional Championships 2020 Canceled

Statement from Poké-Regionals, Events by Yeti Gaming

To all Players, Spectators, Staff and supporters of the Play! Pokémon Regional event scheduled to take place this weekend in Mississauga.

The safety and health of our players is of paramount concern to Yeti Gaming, The Pokémon Company International, and all involved with these events.

We have been actively working with The Pokemon Company International, the International Centre, and monitoring the announcements and recommendations from the Canadian government and health organizations.

Based on today’s announcement by the Canadian government regarding events with over 250 attendees, the Play! Pokémon Regional event taking place this weekend is being cancelled.

This is unfortunate, but a necessary step to ensure the health and safety of our players, staff and their families.

All refunds will be handled automatically next week.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pokeregionals/posts/2647145672182335

Play Pokémon Official Announcement

An important update in regards to this weekend’s Mississauga Regional Championships.


Source: https://twitter.com/playpokemon/status/1238543356952604672

The Pokémon Company announced the Pokémon Trading Card Expansion Set Rebel Clash on February 21st, 2020. It was released on May 1st, 2020 and it introduced new Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX such as Toxtricity VMAX, based on Gigantamax Toxtricity from the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games. High resolution images from the press release are available on an Imageboard thread.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Introduces More Galarian Pokémon in Next Expansion, Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash

​​​​​​​ Dozens of recently discovered Pokémon from the Galar region make their way to the Pokémon Trading Card Game in the next expansion, Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash, releasing around the world on May 1 from The Pokémon Company International.


Available in booster packs, theme decks, Elite Trainer Boxes, and special collections, Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash continues to introduce new Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX such as Toxtricity VMAX, based on Gigantamax Toxtricity from the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games.



In addition, Trainers can look forward to adding the following key cards to their Pokémon TCG collection:

• 16 Pokémon V such as Toxtricity V, Dubwool V, Boltund V, and Sandaconda V—plus 14 full-art Pokémon V
• Seven Pokémon VMAX, including the final Evolutions of the first partner Pokémon of Galar, as well as Copperajah VMAX and Dragapult VMAX
• More than 15 Trainer cards and four full-art Supporter cards
• Four new Special Energy cards

At launch, cards from Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash will be available in the Pokémon TCG Card Dex app, which offers an easy way to digitally browse and discover cards from the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Series and Sun & Moon Series.

Pokémon TCG players will also have the opportunity to play with Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash before launch by attending one of the many Prerelease tournaments taking place April 18–26 at participating independent retailers.

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box was released on May 1st, 2020 at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Challenge expectations and seek new ways to victory with the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box! Build your card collection and prepare for epic battles with everything you need, including eight booster packs, 45 Energy cards, cool card sleeves featuring Copperajah, high-quality game accessories, and much more. The Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash expansion is packed with incredible Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX, plus powerful Galar Pokémon, so get ready to clash with this fully loaded Elite Trainer Box.

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Copperajah
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/sword-shield-rebel-clash-elite-trainer-box

Have Quick, Fun Pokémon TCG Matches with Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Build & Battle Boxes

Now it’s fun and easy to put together a Pokémon TCG game night.

Pokémon TCG: Build & Battle Boxes let you have a match anytime you want with cards from the new Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash expansion. Each Build & Battle Box contains a 23-card Evolution pack, which includes an exclusive foil promo card and is designed to give you a solid foundation for building a new deck. Get a Build & Battle Box for each participant and see who can put the best deck together to win quick and fun four-Prize card matches.

Each box also includes four 10-card booster packs from the Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash expansion. Try to include Pokémon of types that have a lot of cards in your pool, and finish up using your Trainer and Energy cards. If you're short on Energy cards, look for the Pokémon TCG: Basic Energy Box where Pokémon TCG products are sold—it contains 450 assorted basic Energy cards, which should be more than enough to energize all of your group's decks.

With a variety of Evolution packs and four booster packs, you'll get to come up with a creative new deck each time you open a Build & Battle Box. These boxes are designed to be played using the Prerelease tournament format, where each player builds a 40-card deck and sets aside four Prize cards at the start of the game. All the rest of the rules are the same. But you can use them to create standard 60-card decks, too.

Eligible retailers will be allowed to sell Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Build & Battle Boxes to players starting April 18, 2020 without requiring Prerelease event attendance. Take a look at the four promo cards available in Sword & Shield—Rebel Clash Build & Battle Boxes, and get some tips to make the most of the one you receive.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/have-quick-fun-pokemon-tcg-matches-with-sword-shield-rebel-clash-build-battle-boxes