The Play! Pokémon rules and resources are periodically reviewed to maintain competitive balance in the Championship Series. The documents have been updated to reflect the latest review in Q1 2026, and competitive Pokémon players and Professors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the latest rules and regulations ahead of their next competition.
Below you’ll find an overview of changes for the updated documents.
Rules & Resources for All
Pokémon GO Tournament Handbook
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Note Taking (Section 4.4) has been updated with additional information.
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A new section (4.1.3) on Connectivity has been added.
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Section headers have been clarified and/or standardized to align with the Pokémon VGC and Pokémon TCG Handbooks.
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Clarified that if a parent or guardian is removed from the tournament, this does not automatically disqualify the child they are representing; the child should be dropped if this results in both the guardian and the child leaving the tournament zone.
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New penalties defined for Pokémon TCG Open Deck List review.
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Added information on extra cards or decks in a deck box during a tournament.
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Coincidental Penalties added for Pokémon GO.
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Several additional tweaks and changes to penalties. Please review the summary of changes for this document.
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Update to section 5.2, Confidentiality.
Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook
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Regulation mark update.
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A new section (4.1.2.1) on Legality Schedule for Staggered Releases has been added.
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Section 4.1.3 has been clarified on which cards can be used under the reprint rule.
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Updated guidance on how to determine who goes first in a single-elimination top cut match (Section 7.2).
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Event eligibility update based on location and age of the participant (in some countries, a competitor must be at least the age rating on the product to participate). (Section 2.1)
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Information on posting standings and who is responsible. (Section 4.3.4.3)
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Featured Match has been defined in Section 4.5.1.
Pokémon League Rules & Resources
Play! Pokémon League Challenges, Cups, and Prerelease Guide
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Clarification that stores may not sell or share their Prerelease Kits with other stores, regardless of the store’s Play! Pokémon status (Section 3.2).
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Section 2.3.1 has been updated to clarify what products may be sold during Early Release.
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Section 5.4 has been added to address solo competitors in an age division dropping solely to obtain prizing.
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Section 8 has been updated with information on Play! Pokémon Store disciplinary action.
Please be sure to review the documents and get familiar with the updates as you prepare for your next competition. Good luck, Trainers!