The 2014 US Pokémon Video Game National Championships is coming and it looks to be the largest yet, with more than last year’s participants already pre-registered for the Masters division. Quite a few new details have surfaced over the last 24 hours and we’d like to make sure everyone is aware of them, as it will affect you as an attendee.
Pre-Registration is Required
If you do not pre-register using this link before check-in begins, you will not be allowed to play in the National Championships. There will be no at-the-door registration like for Regional events. You are not allowed to play unless you pre-register. Please do so now. With the increased numbers of players expected at the event, it has become no longer feasible to process registration at the door.
The following amount spots are guaranteed for each age group:
- 150 Junior division players
- 250 Senior division players
- 800 Masters division players
However, keep in mind that you must check-in at the event at 7:00 PM on Thursday (Masters) or 5:00 PM on Friday (Juniors/Seniors) even if you did pre-register. This is the full check-in schedule:
Thursday
- A couple of computers will be setup to “register online” in a different area than the check in area from 4:00PM – 6:00PM Note: you can use your phone to register online at any time instead of these kiosks
- Masters division check in – 7:00PM – 8:00PM
Friday
- Masters division late check in – 7:00AM – 7:30AM (please avoid this window unless you really need it – like for a delayed flight on Thursday)
- Masters tournament starts at 8:00AM
- Junior/Senior division check in – 5:00PM – 6:00PM
Saturday
- Junior/Senior late check in – 8:00AM – 8:30AM
- Junior/Senior tournament starts with the player meeting at 9:30AM
Tournament Structure
Juniors & Seniors
Juniors and Seniors will play on Saturday and each division will cut to a Top 16 which will happen on Sunday. All registered players are eligible to play on Saturday as there is no invitation or qualifications required to play in the National Championships.
Friday
- Check-In
Saturday
- Swiss Rounds
- Best-of-1
- Top 16 move to Sunday
Sunday
- Single Elimination
- Best-of-3
Masters Division
All registered players will be able to play in the Swiss rounds on Friday. All players with two or fewer losses will move on to the second day of competition. On Saturday, these players will do an additional six or seven round Swiss tournament with the Top 8 moving on to the single elimination portion of the event that will take place immediately afterwards. The finals will be played out on Sunday. There will be a stream on Pokémon’s Twitch channel starting around Round 4 of Saturday’s Swiss tournament running until the end of Top Cut before switching to TCG.
Thursday
- Check-In
Friday
- Swiss Rounds
- Best-of-1
- Everyone with 2 or fewer losses moves on to Saturday
Saturday Swiss
- Swiss Rounds
- Best-of-3
- Records are not carried over from Friday, everyone starts with a 0-0 record again
- Top 8 move on to Top Cut
Saturday Top Cut
- Single Elimination
- Best-of-3
- Finals happen on Sunday
Sunday
- Finals
- Best-of-3
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