Structure Revealed for US Nationals and Advance Registration is Required

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