The Pokémon World Championships are, naturally, the pinnacle of competitive Pokémon gaming in terms of the current-generation main games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game and now Pokkén Tournament. Often a hugely popular event for the public to attend, too, this year venue limitations seem to have brought that traditional spectator buzz to an end.
The venue this year is the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, which evidently isn't quite sizeable enough to accommodate sizeable crowds of enthusiasts. The Pokémon Company has confirmed that only competitors and a small number of guests will be able to attend.
Due to limited venue capacity and overwhelming demand, the 2016 Pokémon World Championships will be closed to the general public in the interest of providing the best possible event experience to our qualified players and their families. While the event has been open to the public in years past, only invited players and their families will be permitted to enter the venue this year, and everyone must have an official event badge.
Each invited player will be given a Player badge. Each invited player under 18 years of age will be guaranteed one Guest badge at check-in, to allow one parent or guardian into the event venue. We will do our best to accommodate additional family members of invited players, but attendees should note that additional Guest badges are not guaranteed. Any additional Guest badges will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and supplies are limited. An email with these details is being sent to invited players.
That disappointment aside, this event is only one week away running from 19th-21st August; there'll be extensive live stream coverage over that weekend on the official website, and we'll likely share some of the action here on Nintendo Life.
[source pokemon.com, via serebii.net]
Comments 11
I'm so glad pokken is alongside tcg and standard vg at least this yeah.
Not so glad about the less spacious tournament place.
The email also stated "Additionally, attendees should be advised that there will not be unique Pokémon GO events or special Pokémon GO spawnings at the venue hosting the 2016 Pokémon World Championships."
Fair enough, but still disappointing, it could've been perfect. Release the trading feature the Friday along with one of the unavailable Pokémon to the competitors, forcing people to trade to get it in the Pokédex. Ah well, maybe next year
Poor planning on their part. Many people already booked flights and hotels months ago to go spectate, which in most cases are non-refundable. If it was in Hawaii, that'd be one thing, but it's in San Francisco. There's only so much you can do there.
Quite a few people are pissed about this. Get a bigger venue next time, TPC.
@Cinaclov
I was hoping for some pogo stuff there. Maybe they'll announce aika new Mega evolution that has already leaked online like in 2014 Worlds.
Maybe to avoid the chance of anymore Nasty Plots.
Maybe the annouce Pokemon gen 2 on vc
I'm so bummed about this. I work in San Francisco, two blocks from the venue, and have been so excited for the past year that this was coming to my area. I was so looking forward to going to check out the battles. No awesome Worlds merchandise, and no special event pokemon for attendees. Why would they wait until the week before to announce that it was not going to be open to the public?
I'm guessing this may also be in response to those gun arrests from last year?
you'd think that in a year like this with p-go generating bajillions for the pokey company, they'd upgrade the venue, if only to accomodate all the new and renewed interest in pokemon,.
Bummer I live in San Francisco, guess I won't be going
I hope the Twitch livestreams have Chat available this year.
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