The Pokémon Company International has just unveiled the first wave of details for the 2026 Championship Series, and there are some exciting updates for competitive players and fans alike! Here’s what you need to know about next season’s Regionals, Internationals, and the new path to Worlds invites.
Key Changes for Worlds TCG Invites
The biggest shake-up for 2026 is the expanded number of direct invites to the Pokémon World Championships. Here’s how the invites break down by region:
- USA & Canada: Top 80 Juniors, Top 100 Seniors, Top 135 Masters
- Europe: Top 80 Juniors, Top 100 Seniors, Top 135 Masters
- Latin America: Top 50 Juniors, Top 50 Seniors, Top 125 Masters
- Oceania: Top 10 Juniors, Top 10 Seniors, Top 20 Masters
- Middle East & South Africa: Top 5 Juniors, Top 5 Seniors, Top 10 Masters
In addition to these, direct invites will also be awarded to:
- 1st place at Special Championships
- 1st place at Regional Championships
- 1st through 4th place at International Championships
These invites are not passed down—if a player already qualified wins again, the runner-up does not receive an invite.
Swiss Round and Tournament Structure Updates
After reviewing data from the 2025 season and listening to community feedback, the Swiss format for TCG and VGC events will see several improvements:
- All age divisions with 65+ participants will play one extra Swiss round, making it more likely for X-2 or better records to make the Top 8.
- The asymmetrical Top 8 is now capped at 16 participants (down from 32 in 2025), regardless of ties.
- For most divisions, Swiss phase one will feature eight rounds, with schedules varying by event.
- A new end-of-round rule grants just one additional full turn after time is called (T0 and T1), with a maximum overtime of 10 minutes. If no winner emerges, the match is declared a draw.
Confirmed 2026 International & Regional Events
Here are some of the major events already announced for the 2026 season:
International Championships:
- Nov. 21–23, 2025: Latin America International Championships (São Paulo, Brazil)
- Feb. 13–15, 2026: Europe International Championships (London, UK)
- Jun. 12–14, 2026: North America International Championships (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Regional Championships Highlights:
- Sept. 13–14: Frankfurt, Germany & Monterrey, Mexico
- Sept. 18–21: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Oct. 9–12: Milwaukee, WI, USA
- Oct. 11–12: Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Oct. 25–26: Lille, France
- Nov. 1–2: Gdansk, Poland
- Nov. 13–16: Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Jan. 23–25: Birmingham, UK
- Feb. 7–8: Santiago, Chile
- Mar. 27–29: Seville, Spain
- Apr. 4–5: Querétaro, Mexico
- May 15–17: Utrecht, Netherlands
- May 23–24: Lima, Peru.
Looking Ahead
These changes aim to make the competitive scene more inclusive and rewarding, while also streamlining tournament experiences for players at every level. With more invites up for grabs and a refined Swiss structure, the road to Worlds is more accessible than ever.
Stay tuned to Pokecollectr.com for more updates, event coverage, and analysis as the 2026 season unfolds!
Are you planning to compete this season? Which event are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments!
