The Pokémon Company hosted the Pokémon Japan Championships 2026 (hereafter PJCS2026) on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Recording an attendance of over 20,000 visitors, the event concluded with massive success.
Pokémon Japan Championships 2026 Concludes! Who Claimed Victory in Each Division...?
ポケモンバトル日本一を決める「ポケモンジャパンチャンピオンシップス2026」のゲーム部門、1日目がいよいよ開幕！
『Pokémon Champions』でバトルが繰り広げられる、日本トップクラスのポケモントレーナーの熱戦を見届けよう！https://t.co/EGXyg9vAGz #ポケモンチャンピオンズ #PJCS2026 pic.twitter.com/95e33iDkJj— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) June 6, 2026
PJCS2026, the tournament to determine the number one players in Pokémon battling, took place on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026!
Marking its eighth iteration, this tournament was the largest ever in scale in terms of competitors, attendees, and venue space.
An estimated 21,000 people gathered at Pacifico Yokohama.
PR TIMES
The tournament featured the following four divisions:
- Video Game Division (Featuring Pokémon Champions)
- Trading Card Game Division
- Pokémon GO Division
- Pokémon UNITE Division
The top-performing competitors secured their tickets to the world championships, Pokémon World Championships 2026 (hereafter Pokémon WCS2026), which will be held in San Francisco, USA!
Below are the top finishers from each division along with comments from the champions.
First Time Featuring Pokémon Champions! Video Game Division
This marked the first National Championship for the Video Game Division since Pokémon Champions became the featured title.
The top finishers were determined across three categories: Junior, Senior, and Master!
Junior Category
- 1st Place: Hideo Uezu
- 2nd Place: Kazutaka Hatahori
- 3rd Place: Naoyoshi Shimizu, Kyosuke Nanao
Here is a comment from the champion, Hideo Uezu.
"I got to play the finals against my friend, so I wasn't that nervous this time.
This is my last year competing in the Junior category, so I want to win it all at Pokémon WCS2026."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Senior Category
- 1st Place: Ryusei Ono
- 2nd Place: Soma Kitazawa
- 3rd Place: Hinata Komuro
Ryusei Ono claimed victory in the Senior category.
"I want to say thank you to my Aerodactyl, who performed incredibly well.
I am in my third year of junior high school, so my studies keep me busy, but I've made up my mind to do my absolute best at Pokémon WCS2026 as well."
(Translated from Japanese)
Master Category
- 1st Place: Hiroshi Onishi(@cona_5757)
- 2nd Place: Rintaro Arai(@alaninepoke)
- 3rd Place: Rinya Kobayashi(@gozira2004), Shota Hongu(@ponponta1019)
The champion of the Master category is Hiroshi Onishi!
"I never imagined I would make it this far, and I am incredibly happy to have won.
I am standing here thanks to everyone's support and advice. I will give it everything I've got heading into San Francisco."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Battles with Ultimate Decks! Trading Card Game Division
The Trading Card Game Division was held across three leagues: Junior, Senior, and Master.
After a series of intense matchups, who came out on top...?
Junior League
- 1st Place: Yuta Araki
- 2nd Place: Soma Ono
- 3rd Place: Yume Fukui, Leo Otake
Yuta Araki seized the championship!
"When I drew Boss's Orders, I felt like today was meant to be my day to win.
I want to make it to Day 2 at Pokémon WCS2026 as well."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Senior League
- 1st Place: Jin Morita
- 2nd Place: Yuhi Hashimoto
- 3rd Place: Ryota Mishima, Rintaro Hoshino
Jin Morita won the Senior League tournament.
"I am so glad that I kept playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
I'm going to make the Top 32 at Pokémon WCS2026 too!"
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Master League
- 1st Place: Toshiyuki Otake
- 2nd Place: Kabu Fukase(@kabu_0508)
- 3rd Place: Yuki Shibaseki, Takeshi Yamanaka
The Master League champion is Toshiyuki Otake!
"I am thrilled that both my child and I managed to qualify for the World Championships.
I will do my best to finish in a higher spot than my son at Pokémon WCS2026."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Entering Its Fifth Year Since Inception! Pokémon GO Division
The final match kicked off with Diggersby vs. Fearow!
How did the fierce battle play out?
Top Finishers
- 1st Place: Taichi Shimokawa
- 2nd Place: Kazuma Suwa
- 3rd Place: Anan Masda, Tomoya Uda
Taichi Shimokawa captured the victory!
"I'm incredibly happy that I could win today alongside Pidgeot, who has been with me ever since I started the Battle League.
I'll work on being less of a crybaby so I can answer the interviews properly when I win at Pokémon WCS2026.
Please keep cheering for me."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Heated 5v5 Team Battles! Pokémon UNITE Division
The finals for the Pokémon UNITE Division featured a heavyweight matchup: FENNEL vs. REJECT!
After going to a full set, who claimed the crown as Japan's number one...?
Top Teams
- 1st Place: FENNEL
- 2nd Place: REJECT
- 3rd Place: C,C,
Winning Team Comment: FENNEL's ak1 (@sadako4709)
"Hearing the crowd cheer at an offline venue felt amazing—it's almost addictive.
The final game took a mental toll on us, but winning it made me so incredibly happy that I couldn't even stand up right after.
Looking toward Pokémon WCS2026, I have my sights set strictly on becoming the world champion.
I hope everyone will watch over us at Pokémon WCS2026 too."
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Fierce competition unfolded across all divisions.
The top finishers will now move on to face the world at Pokémon WCS2026!
Side Event Highlights Revealed! 27 Pokémon Spotting at the Venue
On the days of the tournament, various side events were held inside and around the PJCS2026 venue.
From interacting with Pokémon to casual Pokémon battles, there was plenty of content for general attendees to enjoy!
Countless Activity Areas Inside the Venue! Interacting with Pokémon
A variety of activity areas were set up inside the venue for general attendees to fully enjoy!
Go Meet the Pokémon!
The 27 Pokémon that served as first partner options throughout the Pokémon series rushed to the PJCS2026 venue to cheer everyone on!
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Photo Spot
Commemorating the 30th anniversary, a photo panel that visitors could step inside to take pictures was featured alongside a history panel detailing the legacy of Pokémon and PJCS.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Photo Spot
A giant Pokémon Trading Card Game panel featuring Mega Evolved Pokémon was on display!
Additionally, some of the actual physical cards from the 30th-anniversary celebratory product, 30th CELEBRATION booster pack—set for a global simultaneous release on Wednesday, September 16, 2026—were showcased for the first time ahead of their launch.
Pokémon Champions Play Area
A hands-on demo event was held for Pokémon Champions, which is currently available on Nintendo Switch to critical acclaim.
The smartphone version of this title is scheduled for a rolling release starting Wednesday, June 17, 2026!
If you are interested, check out the official Pokémon Champions website.
Pokémon HOME Booth
Special distributions were held where attendees could receive in-game Pokémon and event attendance medals via the mobile version of Pokémon HOME!
A Garchomp that saw heavy play during the Video Game Division qualifiers was also distributed.
Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A Booth
At the "Z-A Battle Club," players engaged in real-time local battles unique to Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A!
Heated competitions took place.
The "Furfrou League" area hosted local battles restricted exclusively to Furfrou, the Pokémon capable of being trimmed into 9 different designs!
Beyond that, the side events were packed with activities, including "Electorb Volleyball" battles in Pokémon UNITE, round-robin battles for the Card Game and Pokémon GO, and a trial play area for the Pokémon Board Game!
Giant Pokémon Kites in the Sky! Pokémon Sightings Outside the Venue Too
Pokémon could be spotted outside the venue during this tournament as well.
Giant Pokémon Kites
At Rinko Park near the venue, a flight demonstration of giant Mega Charizard X and Mega Charizard Y kites took place!
Massive 15-meter-class kites soared through the skies of Yokohama.
PJCS2026 Highlights Available via Archived Streams! Top Finishers Advance to the Pokémon WCS2026 World Championships
Between the competitive matches in the four divisions and the array of side events, the PJCS2026 National Championships offered two full days packed with Pokémon fun!
The battles from the event can be watched via archived streams on the Official Pokémon YouTube channel.
Furthermore, the top-placing competitors from the tournament will move on to challenge the world at "Pokémon WCS2026."
Check the official Pokémon X account (@Pokemon_cojp) for more updates!
「ポケモンジャパンチャンピオンシップス2026」が閉幕し、各部門の日本一が決定！
そして、戦いの舞台は世界へ……！
2026年8月、アメリカ・サンフランシスコで開催される「ポケモンワールドチャンピオンシップス2026」も、ぜひお楽しみに！https://t.co/Sgy2L6E2yA #PJCS2026 #PokemonWorlds… pic.twitter.com/7o74JJhFMt— ポケモン公式 (@Pokemon_cojp) June 7, 2026
| Event Overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pokémon Japan Championships 2026 |
| Dates | Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, 2026 |
| Venue | Pacifico Yokohama |