The Pokémon World Championships 2025 brought the best players from around the world to Anaheim, California, for the franchise’s ultimate competitive showdown. Fans witnessed legendary matches across the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Video Game Championships, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE. Each category crowned a champion who proved their skill, strategy, and determination on the grandest stage of them all.
Video Game Championships Thrill the Crowd
The Video Game Championships ended with an all-American clash as James Evans faced Giovanni Cischke in the Masters division final. Giovanni secured a dramatic 2-1 victory to claim his first ever world title, a moment that electrified the arena. The Juniors and Seniors categories also stayed in American hands, with Luke Whittier and Kevin Han winning their respective divisions. It was a clean sweep for the United States in VGC, showing just how strong the region remains in competitive Pokémon.
Trading Card Game Crowned New Heroes
The Trading Card Game division saw Canadian star Riley McKay take control of the tournament. After breezing through playoff matches, he triumphed over Justin Newdorf in the finals to lift his first world championship trophy along with fifty thousand dollars in prize money. The spotlight also shined on younger divisions, with China’s Liao Fuguan conquering the Seniors and Japan’s Yuya Okita taking the Juniors title. This mix of champions highlighted just how global the trading card scene has become.
Pokémon UNITE Sees South America Rise
Pokémon UNITE delivered perhaps the most surprising storyline of the weekend. South American squad PERÚ, who had only managed a top eight finish in past editions, stormed through the bracket after finishing second in their group. They stunned the world by eliminating Luminosity Gaming in the semifinals and defeating Japanese powerhouse ZETA Division in the grand final. PERÚ’s run was a historic moment for the region, proving that South America is a force to be reckoned with in the MOBA battlefield.
India Celebrates a Landmark Victory in Pokémon GO
The Pokémon GO championship witnessed history as Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb from India claimed the title. After narrowly missing the podium last year, he came back stronger than ever, defeating Leo “P4T0M4N” Marín with determination and precise strategies. With this win, Bamb became the first Indian player to ever secure an esports world championship, sparking celebrations across the country and inspiring a new wave of Pokémon GO players.
What Comes Next for the Pokémon World Championships
The excitement will continue in 2026 when the Pokémon World Championships move to San Francisco’s Chase Center. Multi-day passes go on sale September 17, and fans can look forward not only to traditional competitions but also to the debut of Pokémon Champions, a new strategy title set for release on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices. Adding to the thrill, a brand-new fan hub called Pokémon XP will launch at the Moscone Center, offering immersive experiences and activities for all generations of fans.
A Global Celebration of Competition
The Pokémon World Championships 2025 were a true celebration of diversity, passion, and global competition. From Canada to South America, from India to Japan, the event crowned champions who brought fresh stories to the franchise’s long history. Anaheim witnessed tears, cheers, and the kind of unforgettable matches that define Pokémon’s legacy in esports.
Pokémon is not just a game. It is a worldwide community where dreams are achieved and history is written.
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