POKÉMON KICKS OFF THE 2005–2006 ORGANIZED PLAY SEASON

 

Title Series Events, Programs, and Championships Scheduled

 

BELLEVUE, Wash.—October 12, 2005—Pokémon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in the trading card game industry, today announced the beginning of the 2005–2006 Pokémon Organized Play (POP) Season. The Pokémon title series events begin in November 2005 with the City Championships, followed by State Championships, Regional Championships, and National Championships leading up to the 2006 Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) World Championships in August.

 

POP programs, events, tournaments, and leagues allow the thousands of players across North America to compete in a fun environment while strengthening their Pokémon TCG strategies, math, and reading skills. POP leagues, events, and programs are held in more than 35 countries, giving players the opportunity to build social skills by fostering friendships with peers at events and in their hometown leagues. By participating in select POP events, players can also earn Pokémon TCG cards and merchandise as well as scholarships ranging from $500 to $7,500.  

 

2005–2006 Pokémon TCG Events Schedule:

 

 

Prereleases:  Prereleases are held quarterly, with more than 400 total events planned for the 2005–2006 POP season.

 

City Championships:  November 2005–January 2006

            POP City Championships will take place in hundreds of cities across North America.

 

State Championships:  March 2006

State Championships will be held in most states in the U.S., and winners will receive an invitation to the POP National Championships.

 

Regional Championships:  May 2006

Regionals will take place in 13 regions across the U.S. Winners will receive scholarships worth up to $2,000 and an invitation and Travel Award to the 2006 U.S. National Championships.

 

Gym Challenges:  June 2006

            Gym Challenges are the first qualifying events for the 2006 World Championships.

 

National Championships:  July 2006

The POP National Championships is the final Worlds qualifier. Winners receive scholarships worth up to $5,000 and an invitation and Travel Award to the 2006 World Championships.

 

World Championships:  August 2006

The Pokémon TCG World Championships are the premier Organized Play event of the year. The event will host hundreds of top players from around the world competing for the title of Pokémon TCG World Champion and scholarships worth up to $7,500.