- Image from Pokemon Legends Z-A courtesy of Nintendo

Pokémon World Championship 2026 Doubles Down on Accessibility

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 1:16 PM ET

In a world where most esports events feel like exclusive VIP clubs guarded by spreadsheets and gatekeeping, Pokémon’s World Championship Series is out here throwing open the doors and saying, “Come one, come all.” And yes, that includes your cousin who still thinks Pikachu evolves into Raichu with a Moon Stone.

Chris Brown—no, not that one—the global esports director at The Pokémon Company International, recently sat down to talk about the 2025 Pokémon World Championship Series. And if you’re expecting the usual corporate fluff about “growth” and “engagement,” think again. Brown’s message is refreshingly simple: They want it to stay accessible. Like, actually accessible.

Pokémon Isn’t Trying to Be the Next Exclusive Club

Let’s talk numbers. This year’s Worlds in Anaheim hosted nearly 2,500 players across four games. That’s not just impressive—it’s borderline unheard of. Compare that to League of Legends Worlds (roughly 100 players), Apex Legends Global Series (127), or Magic: The Gathering (116), and Pokémon looks like the only one that remembers esports are supposed to be for players, not just sponsors.

Brown made it clear: “We have no intent to become like some other shows that have very limited World Championships.” Translation? They aren’t interested in turning its biggest event into an elite-only spectacle. And thank Arceus for that.

The New Qualification System Actually Makes Sense

Image of Pokemon Legends Z-A, Courtesy of Nintendo

In 2025, Pokémon restructured its Play! program to make qualifying for Worlds more consistent. Instead of grinding points in a single burst and ghosting the rest of the season, players now need to maintain a ranked standing. It’s a change that helps organizers plan ahead (logistics matter, folks), but more importantly, it keeps the competition alive all year long.

Brown says the system is optimized for player experience, and he expects the number of invites to grow as the scene expands globally. So yes, it is scaling up without selling out. Imagine that.

Accessibility Isn’t Just a Buzzword—It’s the Strategy

Pokémon’s approach isn’t just good PR—it’s smart. By keeping Worlds open to thousands of players, they’re building a community, not just a leaderboard. It’s the kind of inclusivity that turns casual fans into lifelong competitors. And it’s working.

Other games should take notes. Disney Lorcana, for example, has only 26 invites this season. That’s not a championship—that’s a dinner party. If you want to build a legacy, you need to let people play.

Final Thoughts: Pokémon Gets It Right

It’s competitive scene isn’t perfect, but it’s doing something most esports don’t: letting people in. With events like Pokémon XP turning Worlds into a full-blown fan convention and Championship Sunday moving into an 18,000-seat arena, the franchise is doubling down on community.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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