2026 Pokémon VGC Europe International Championships Competitor Information 

 

The number of Swiss rounds will be determined by attendance, with Swiss play split between a maximum of two days. Information on the number of expected rounds can be found in the Tournament Rules and Resources.

 

Each round, you will be paired against another competitor to play your match. You will be able to find your table number through your RK9 Player Dashboard. Ensure you get to your table on time. Being late to a match can result in penalties. 

 

Junior and Senior Division competitors will have one meal break per day. Exact timing for each event’s meal break will be announced on-site for each event. There is no scheduled meal break for competitors in the Masters Division. 

 

All Masters competitors will begin competition on Friday, February 13. All Juniors and Seniors competitors will begin competition on Saturday, February 14. All age divisions will conclude on Sunday, February 15.

 

The Tournament Schedule may be subject to change.

 

Competitors must comply with the Tournament Rules. 

 

When you show up at a Pokémon video game tournament, there are some things you must have with you: 

 

- A Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game (physical or digital) updated to the most recent software version. 

 

- A fully charged Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2,  Nintendo Switch - OLED Model, or Nintendo Switch Lite system with a working USB-C port, the latest system updates installed, and wired internet settings set to automatic. 

 

- You should set your Nintendo Switch wired internet settings to automatic. 

 

- Make sure you have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership for the duration of the event. 

 

- A team of tournament-legal Pokémon for the current format at the time of the event (see the Tournament Rules and check back regularly before the event for updates).  

 

- Proof of age may be requested, and failure to provide proof of age may result in the competitor being denied participation in the tournament (at the organizer’s discretion).

 

Competitors are strongly encouraged to bring a charger for their systems. It is the competitor’s responsibility that their console remains operational throughout the tournament.  

 

Team lists will be submitted online via RK9.gg. All team lists must be submitted by 6:00 a.m. GMT on the first day of the event for each age division. You can resubmit your team list as many times as you want prior to the submission deadline; however, you must play the final team you submit.  

 

Any lists not submitted on time may result in a loss for Round 1. For information on how to submit your list for the event, see RK9’s support article for Pokémon video game team lists.  

 

At the beginning of the tournament, you will be seated for the competitor meeting or Round 1 pairings, depending upon the event. After connecting to your opponent and seeing “Preparations Complete” in-game, you and your opponent will exchange official “opponent view” team sheets. Be sure to keep a close eye on your sheet, as you must show it to your opponent during each tournament round. You should check that the information on your team sheet is correct. If there are any errors, contact a Judge immediately to assist you. 

 

Each round, you will connect your Nintendo Switch system to a dock at the table number you are assigned to. Your system should be set to airplane mode when playing tournament matches. 

 

Battles will be held via the Union Circle in the Poké Portal. 

1. Competitor 1 will form a group using the Union Circle and share the unique code with competitor 2 so that they can join. 

2. Once in the Union Circle, both competitors will select Link Battle to match up. 

3. Competitors must select Double Battle and Official Rules 1 for their match. 

4. Each competitor should confirm that they are connected to the correct opponent prior to beginning their match. 

5. After completing their match, competitors must keep their Nintendo Switch systems docked until they’ve disbanded their group or exited the Union Circle. 

 

Please change the Show Nicknames setting in-game to Don’t show and turn off all system friend notifications. Make sure your system’s Date and Time settings are set to Synchronize Clock via Internet.