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 Q2 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
Play! Pokémon Tournament Rules Handbook
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Each new competitive season now starts on September 1 at 00:00 UTC.
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Information on how to obtain a Player ID through a Pokémon Trainer Central account has been updated.
Play! Pokémon Standards of Conduct
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Instances of “Pokémon Trainer Club” have been updated to “Pokémon Trainer Central.”
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Filming policy has been updated.
Play! Pokémon Penalty Guidelines
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The policy for tardiness, specifically on call times and teams, has been updated (Section 5.2).
Pokémon TCG Rules & Resources
Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook
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Functional reprints of released cards are tournament legal upon obtaining the card, even if the card was obtained during an expansion Prerelease window (Section 4.1.3).
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A small verbiage update has been made to Section 7.4.6.
Video Games Rules & Resources
Pokémon VGC Tournament Handbook
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A small verbiage update has been made to Section 3.7.
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Requirements for team lists have been revised.
Pokémon GO Rules & Resources
Pokémon GO Tournament Handbook
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Terminology differences between “Grand Finals” and “Grand Finals Bracket Reset” matches have been clarified.
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A new bullet has been added under concessions, stipulating that one may not concede to avoid or override a penalty given by tournament officials (Section 6.3.1).
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A small verbiage update has been made to Section 4.4.
Please be sure to review the documents and get familiar with the updates as you prepare for your next competition. Good luck, Trainers!