Video Game Championship Locations and Rules Announced

Update (8:00 PM) – Accidentally missed this, but Victini is also banned from the tournaments.

The Pokemon Video Game Championship website has just opened and has announced the locations and rules for the tournaments; the locations are listed below. Each United States location will allow 512 players for the Junior division (players born in 2000 or later), 512 for the Senior division (players born in 1996, 1997, 1998, or 1999), and 1,024 for the Masters division (players born in 1995 or earlier). Unlike previous years where people were picked at random to compete, this time it’ll be first come, first serve. In America, the Junior and Senior divisions registration lines are open from 8:00 to 8:30 AM while the Masters division line is open from 1:00 to 1:30 PM. For other countries, be sure to read the website for your specific information!

All the tournaments will use Level 50 double battles and only Pokemon from Unova are allowed (excluding Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, and Genesect). You can bring six Pokemon to the tournament, but only four will be used in each 15 minute match. You cannot have more than one of the same Pokemon and cannot use the same item on more than one Pokemon. If you have a Pokemon above Level 50, it will be leveled down. The tournament will be held under single elimination rules, meaning if you lose, you are out of the tournament. When making your Pokemon selections at the beginning of each match, you will be able to see what Pokemon your opponent is using (but not their moves or held items).

2011 Pokémon Video Game Championship Series: U.S. Dates and Locations

• May 14th, Seattle, WA — Washington State Convention Center, Hall 4B
• May 21st, San Jose, CA — San Jose Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2
• May 28th, Dallas, TX — Arlington Convention Center, Grand Hall
• June 4th, Atlanta, GA — Gwinnett Center, Hall A and B
• June 11th, Washington, D.C. — Dulles Expo Center, South Hall
• June 18th, Newark, NJ — Meadowlands Exposition Center

2011 Pokémon Video Game National Championships: European Dates and Locations

• June 4th, Birmingham, United Kingdom — National Exhibition Centre, Hall 8
• June 11th, Rome, Italy — Fiera Roma, Hall 12, Ingresso Nord
• June 18th, Madrid, Spain — IFEMA, Hall 1, Feria de Madrid
• June 25th, Paris, France — Espace Grande Arche, Parvis de La Défense
• July 2nd , Cologne, Germany — EXPO XXI Köln GmbH, Gladbacher Wall 5
• At all European National locations, Junior and Senior Division lines open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:30 a.m. The Masters Division line opens at 12:30 p.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m.

2011 Pokémon World Championships

• August 12th–14th, San Diego, CA — Hilton San Diego Bayfront
• Last Chance Qualifier for the 2011 Pokémon World Championships will be held August 12th at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.