FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POKÉMON ANNOUNCES 2007 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pokémon TCG Players to Compete in Free Event for State Champion Title

BELLEVUE, Wash.-January 24th, 2007-Pokémon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in trading card games, today announced the Pokémon® Trading Card Game (TCG) State Championships. State Championships provide players the opportunity to succeed at an intellectual sport and test a player's Pokémon TCG skills, strategy, and creativity. The Pokémon TCG State Championships(tm) is a title event series where players in each of the three POP-recognized age divisions compete to earn the title of State Champion.

Pokémon TCG State Championships will be held in various locations throughout North America from March 3rd through March 11th. Competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior Division (born in 1996 or later), Senior Division (born in 1992, 1993, 1994, or 1995), and Masters Division (born in 1991 or earlier). All participants will receive a State Championships promo card, commemorative pin and will have the opportunity to advance to the National Championships, leading to the final title series tournament: the Pokémon TCG World Championships. Prizes are awarded to the top eight players in each age category. First-place winners will receive a State Champion trophy, a prize kit containing cool Pokémon merchandise, and a travel allowance to attend the National Championships in July.

For more information or to find the State Championship near you, please visit http://op.pokemon-tcg.com/.