2020 Standard Format Announced, Goes Into Effect Before Worlds!

By: Water Pokémon Master · Posted Posted onApr 18, 2019 at 7:55 AM · 0 Comments

Pokemon.com has announced that our 2020 Standard format will be Ultra Prism and on.

The format will go into effect on August 15th. Worlds starts August 16th, so it will follow the new format.

This is the first time Worlds will follow the next season’s format. Players will have to think quick on their feet!

Pokemon.com also announced that the Expanded format will remain unchanged for the 2020 season.

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:

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 same card 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.