Index
1. Bringing the Pokémon Card Game Craze to China
In just the past few years, Chinese players have flocked to a new format of friendly TCG competitions: the Pokémon National Championships. The National Championships have already been held in all four of China’s “Tier-1” cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
Pokémon Shanghai, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company, handles the planning and operation of this national tournament. Since its establishment in 2020, the team has worked closely with local users and partner companies to create new ways to grow and expand the fun and excitement of Pokémon in China.
We launched the simplified Chinese version of the Pokémon TCG in 2022. Because Pokémon anime and licensed products in prior, the TCG gained immediate popularity upon its release.
At first, we held small-scale official events at local card shops and similar venues around China. However, as the passion and enthusiasm for Pokémon TCG competitions became increasingly clear, local staff realized that China’s players were ready to take part in competitions on a grander scale. This insight led us to establish a nationwide Pokémon TCG tournament series.
2. Staging That Highlights Local Characteristics
The path to making National Championships a reality wasn’t smooth, however. Large-scale TCG events hadn’t really been done before, as trading card culture had not yet deeply taken root. Our project team navigated this by coordinating closely with authorities to build the event from the ground up.
Detailing the negotiation process, a team member noted: “To show how a city-wide tournament could revitalize the region, we met with government departments to explain the event’s cultural and tourism value.”
Following these detailed discussions, we officially established the Masters. To reach the widest possible audience, we decided the tournament would tour four major cities: Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai.
We design each Masters event to highlight the special features of its location. For the Beijing tournament, held in a city famous for the Great Wall and numerous cultural heritage sites, we incorporated a venue design inspired by traditional Chinese architecture and opened with a performance featuring Beijing opera. In Shenzhen, a city known for its high-tech industries, we utilized a sleek, futuristic aesthetic for the entire venue. Even the trophies reflect this local pride, featuring designs inspired by each host city.
The Chinese Masters also features a unique set of rules, most notably a team battle format involving up to six players per team. The staff explained the intent behind this rule: “By grouping experienced players with beginners, we created an environment where teammates can teach and grow alongside one another.”
3. Making Pokémon TCG Tournaments that Attract Visitors
To share the joy of Pokémon with more than just the tournament participants, we immerse each host city in the Pokémon World.
For example, we organize pre-events two to three weeks before each tournament so people can encounter Pokémon throughout their daily lives. In Shenzhen, we installed a massive 10- meter Snorlax balloon in a local park, while in Shanghai, we held a “Pikachu Outbreak” where several Pikachu paraded through the heart of the city.
On the day of each tournament, we host a “Carnival” featuring various activities and games. Stamp rallies, exhibitions, and basketball games are set up to ensure everyone has lots of opportunities to enjoy the Pokémon world. Some fans even travel between cities specifically to see the unique events offered at each Masters location.
4. Cultivating a New Generation of Pokémon TCG Fans
The immediate popularity of the Pokémon National Championships is clear in the attendance numbers: from approximately 6,000 visitors when the first competition took place in Guangzhou in March 2023, the tournament in Shenzhen in December 2024 attracted nearly 25,000 people.
Children participating in the Junior League and adults in the Open League. In an era where online interaction is the norm, the Masters provides a valued space for face-to-face competition and connections, earning high praise from children and adults alike.
A project staff member shared their hope for the future of the project: “We want the Masters to remain a premier destination for players while serving as a gateway for newcomers to discover the depth of Pokémon TCG.”
In the coming years, we will continue to evolve and expand the reach of the Masters as a vital hub for the community to grow and connect.