After canceling the face-to-face competition in 2020 due to the rise of the covid-19 pandemic, The Pokémon Company announced that skip official tournaments until 2021 as well.
“The safety and well-being of our competitors, organizers, employees, local communities and partners [continue] to be our priority and is the main consideration in all the decisions we make ”, said the company’s statement. “[W]we made the difficult decision to move to the next Pokémon World Championship until 2022. This event is planned to take place in London, United Kingdom. “
As with previous events, this year’s Pokémon World Championship would feature competitions in the Pokémon video games and collectible cards, as well as one on one fighting games Pokkén Tournament with the qualifying satellites leading to the main event in London. Instead, the Pokémon Company will focus its 2021 efforts on the online organization Pokémon Players Cup events, as well as last year. Players already invited to compete in 2020 will see their invitations roll over to 2022.
“Thanks to our millions of players, fans, organizers and teachers around the world for their continued support and understanding,” added the announcement. “THE Pokémon International Championships and Pokémon The World Championships are significant occasions for us and the player community, and we look forward to when we can all see each other and compete again. ”