Battle Using the 2018 Pokémon Video Game Championships Format

Full details on the new 2018 Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC) battling format have now been posted on the Rules and Resources page. All Play! Pokémon video game tournaments will transition to this format beginning January 1, 2018, including this season's Pokémon World Championships in Nashville, Tennessee.

Battles this year will be shifting to Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon. Players will have the opportunity to form teams mixing Pokémon originally discovered in the Alola region with a wider variety of other Pokémon, including Mega-Evolved Pokémon and many Legendary Pokémon.

Here's a brief summary of the new format:

All battles will be Double Battles played in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon

All Pokémon from National Pokédex No. 001 through 806 are allowed, with the following restrictions:

Pokémon must have the Alola symbol showing they were caught in the Alola region

Mewtwo, Mew, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Phione, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Arceus, Victini, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Keldeo, Meloetta, Genesect, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Diancie, Hoopa, Volcanion, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Magearna, Marshadow, and Ash-Greninja are not allowed

Duplicate Pokémon are not allowed

All items are allowed, including Mega Stones and Z-Crystals, but duplicate items are not allowed

All Pokémon are set to Lv. 50, including Pokémon below Lv. 50

Players will have 5 minutes of Your Time, down from 10 minutes in 2017

Players are expected to understand the rules when participating in a competition, so please look them over before your next event. Full details about the 2018 Pokémon VGC rules can be found on the Rules and Resources page.

Players will be able to practice with the 2018 VGC rules via the Pokémon Global Link. Visit Festival Plaza in your Pokémon Ultra Sun or Pokémon Ultra Moon game to download the regulations and start battling and training with your friends. You can even practice against players from all over the world by heading to the Battle Spot and competing in World Championships Rating Battles.

Look forward to exciting battles under the new Pokémon VGC format starting January 1, 2018 as players continue their treks toward the Pokémon World Championships.