Latest News & Analysis
Latest News & Analysis
2022 Worlds Opening Ceremony Recap
Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon UNITE take center stage, with news to come for the Pokémon TCG and the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games.
The 2022 Pokémon World Championships are in full swing, with Trainers from all over the world competing in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Pokémon GO, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon UNITE at ExCeL London. Before the event, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara welcomed attendees to the excitement of Worlds and shared special news about Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon UNITE.
Mr. Ishihara began by announcing that Ash & Pikachu are coming to Pokémon Masters EX as a master sync pair! They will be the first sync pair with a brand-new move type—buddy moves. Buddy moves unlock after meeting a special condition and deal significantly more damage than regular moves. Ash & Pikachu will be available to scout from August 27, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. PDT to October 16, 2022, at 2:59 p.m. PDT.
It was also revealed that the Trainer Lodge—a new addition to Pokémon Masters EX that lets you make precious new memories with your favorite Trainers—will open on August 24, at 11:00 p.m. PDT. The initial roster of Trainers you can invite to the Trainer Lodge will include famous faces such as Blue, Cynthia, and Lillie. As Pokémon Masters EX heads toward its three-year anniversary, you can earn up to 10,000 gems during the Run-Up to Three Years Rally and scout up to 100 sync pairs by claiming daily 10-Pair Scout Tickets. These presents are only available for a short time, so take time to visit Pasio and enjoy these amazing anniversary perks!
Pokémon UNITE celebrated its one-year anniversary earlier this July and makes its debut at Worlds with its own exciting news. A new arena has been discovered on Aeos Island—the Theia Sky Ruins! The Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza lurks at the center of this map, awaiting would-be challengers. Get ready to compete here in Ranked and Standard battles starting on September 2, 2022.
Mr. Ishihara also promised that the 2022 Pokémon World Championships closing ceremonies on August 21, 2022, will reveal new details about the Pokémon Trading Card Game as well as the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet games due to release worldwide on November 18, 2022.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news and catch all the competitive Pokémon action at Worlds at Twitch.tv/Pokemon!