The official Japanese Pokémon website has annoucned the Pokémon Battle Master Championships (ポケモンバトルマスター決定戦) which will take place from April till July 2022. The championship is only open to Japanese residents. Players will have to play in both the video game tournament featuring Pokémon Sword and Shield and the card game tournaments.

What is the Pokémon Battle Master Championships?

We're holding the Pokémon Battle Master Tournament, a competition where you have to be strong in both the video game and the card game to win! Who is the strongest in both Pokémon games and card games?

Tournament Outline

Preliminary games: Internet preliminary round to be held around June 2022
Card games: "City League" and "Trainers League" held from April to June 2022
Finals Date: To be determined
Participants: Top 32
Conditions for entry Age: No limit
Region: Japan residents only

Event Flow

Step 1: Participate in the Preliminary Rounds!
Earn Pokémon Battle Master Points by participating in both qualifying rounds held for the video games and the card game, respectively.

Video Game Qualifier
Participate in the Internet qualifier to be held in June. You only have one chance to qualify for the game, so be sure to participate in this tournament.

Card Game Qualifiers
Participate in each tournament to improve your position in the player ranking. You will earn Pokémon Battle Master Points according to your ranking.

Step 2: Apply for Pokémon Battle Master Points!
Apply for Pokémon Battle Master Points earned in the qualifying rounds of games and card games on the page to be announced in the future. *The application form will be available in early July.

Step 3: The finals will be held!
A final competition will be held for the top 32 players among those who applied. The winner will be awarded the title of Pokémon Battle Master!

Source: https://www.pokemon.co.jp/sp/pokemonbattlemaster/

Various retailers online have revealed the Pokémon Trading Card Game Ice Rider Calyrex / Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX League Battle Decks which will be released on June 17th, 2022 and will cost $29.99 USD each.


The Pokémon TCG: Calyrex VMAX League Battle Decks includes:

• 1 full, playable 60-card deck loaded with power cards
• 3 foil cards featuring Ice Rider Calyrex V / Shadow Rider Calyrex V
• 3 foil cards featuring Ice Rider Calyrex VMAX / Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX
• 1 deck box
• 2 coin condition markers
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 1 Quick Guide to unlock the strategies within
• A code card to unlock this deck in Pokémon Trading Card Game Live

Guinness World Records has officially confirmed that YouTuber Logan Paul has purchased the most expensive Pokémon Trading Card, a Japanese PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, considered to be one of the rarest Pokémon TCG cards. He paid a record-breaking trade worth $5,275,000 USD for it. He recently showed off the card by wearing it at WrestleMania 38.

Logan Paul owns $5.275 million Pokémon card after record-breaking trade

YouTuber Logan Paul (USA) has recently acquired a coveted PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card following a record-breaking trade worth $5,275,000 (£3,862,424 / €4,477,146).

The card was purchased by Paul in Dubai on 22 July 2021, breaking the record for most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.


To obtain the PSA Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card, Paul exchanged a PSA Grade 9 Pikachu Illustrator card worth $1,275,000 that he had purchased from renowned sports card collector Matt Allen in Como, Italy.

This Grade 9 card plus $4,000,000 equalled the cost of the pristine Grade 10 Pikachu Illustrator card.

"The Pikachu Illustrator is one of the rarest and most highly coveted Pokémon cards in the world," said Paul.

"Only 39 were given out to Illustration contest winners in 1998, and this was a purchase for the only one in the world that has been graded a perfect "10.""

.@LoganPaul wearing the most expensive @Pokemon card in the world right now at #WrestleMania!pic.twitter.com/ZnCTZD8ln9

— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022

After leaving the ring and heading backstage, Paul was presented with his official Guinness World Records certificate for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale by Adjudicator Mike Marcotte.


Logan Paul with his Guinness World Records certificate backstage at WrestleMania 38

When asked how it felt to break this record, Paul said he'd been trying to do this his "whole life".

the real star of Wrestlemania — my 1/1 PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator that I purchased for $5,275,000, officially setting the Guinness World Record for “most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale” pic.twitter.com/nrAyvrytCB

— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) April 4, 2022

"I applied for so many records and the fact that I finally got one after my first [WWE] win ever? I come back to the locker room and I get a second win right away?"

"I love Pokémon and the fact that it’s been validated with Guinness World Records – this is crazy. Tonight’s a wild night. This does not feel real!" – Logan Paul

Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/4/logan-paul-owns-5-275-million-pokemon-card-after-record-breaking-trade-697189

The Pokémon Company has announced that the 2022 Pokémon World Championships will be held at ExCeL London in England on August 18th to 21st, 2022. The World Championships is now a four-day event in order to accommodate the activities and number of tournaments that take place. Top Pokémon players will be invited to compete in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokkén Tournament DX, Pokémon UNITE and Pokémon GO for the title of World Champion.

ExCeL London Hosts the 2022 Pokémon World Championships from August 18–21

The big event is back! Join the action in England for four straight days this summer.

This August, the Pokémon World Championships will make their long-anticipated return! For the first time in history, the big event will be held outside North America when London, England, hosts the competition August 18–21, 2022. The event will include competitions for the Pokémon TCG, the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, Pokémon GO, Pokémon UNITE, and Pokkén Tournament DX. The venue for the event is the enormous ExCeL London event center, which has also hosted previous Europe International Championships.

ExCeL London
One Western Gateway
Royal Victoria Dock
London, England E16 1XL

Worlds is now a four-day event, with exciting activities for players and spectators alike. The very best Pokémon Trainers will be vying for the title of World Champion, but that's only the beginning of the fun—other activities will be available for all Pokémon fans.

From August 17–21, the 2022 Pokémon World Championships will also be home to a Pokémon Center store, where fans will be able to purchase a wide variety of products including a range of items themed around the tournament. The Pokémon Center will remain open while supplies last.

Invited players will not have to pay an entry fee to participate at Worlds, but there will be a nominal fee for spectator badges. Stay tuned for more information on the cost and availability of spectator badges.

The safety and well-being of our competitors, organizers, employees, local communities, and partners continues to be our top priority. Information on our COVID-19 policy can be found here.

If you want to compete in the Pokémon World Championships, it's not too late to get started. Find an event near you and start earning Championship Points toward a coveted Worlds invitation!

We'll have much more news and info on the Pokémon World Championships as we get closer to the event.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/excel-london-hosts-the-2022-pokemon-world-championships-from-august-1821/

The official Pokémon website has announced more details for the upcoming Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Expansion which will be released starting on July 1st, 2022.

New Information about the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Expansion

See this collaborative expansion’s special collections, arriving beginning on July 1, 2022.

It was recently announced that a new Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion inspired by the popular mobile game Pokémon GO was on its way. We now have more information about this exciting collaboration. The first wave of products in the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO expansion will be available beginning on July 1, 2022, with more releases coming at a later date. Please be aware that booster packs for this expansion will not be sold separately, so look for them in these special collections:

• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Mini Tin
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Collection
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Special Collection
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Premium Collection
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO V Battle Decks (including bundle version)
• Pokemon TCG: Pokemon GO Tin
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Elite Trainer Box
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Pin Collection
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Poké Ball Tin
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Premier Deck Holder Collection
• Pokémon TCG: Pokémon GO Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box Plus (exclusive to Pokémon Center in the US, Canada, and the UK)

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/new-information-about-the-pokemon-tcg-pokemon-go-expansion/

Various retailers online have revealed the Pokémon TCG: Kleavor VSTAR Premium Collection which will be released on May 27th, 2022 and will cost $39.99 USD. It will be available Q2 2022 in the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: Kleavor VSTAR Premium Collection

Kleavor is ready to slash and crash its way out of the wilderness and into your deck in the Pokémon TCG: Kleavor VSTAR Premium Collection. This powerful Pokémon arrives with both arms swinging as both an etched foil Pokémon V and Pokémon VSTAR promo card. With these Fighting-type Pokémon on your team, your opponent will have to tread lightly.

Kleavor V's Axe Slash attack hits for a respectable 150 damage, but it requires you to discard an Energy that's attached to it. Thankfully, your opponent also must discard an Energy from their Active Pokémon. Talk about adding insult to injury! Kleavor V can evolve into Kleavor VSTAR, whose Axe Break attack does 120 damage to your opponent's Active Pokémon and another 60 damage to one of their Benched Pokémon V. If you've already lost some Pokémon, unleash Kleavor VSTAR's Rampaging Star VSTAR Power to do 30 damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile. When used at the right time, this attack can be devastating to your opponent.

In addition to these two incredible cards, this collection also includes an oversize foil Kleavor VSTAR card, a collector's pin, a metallic coin featuring Kleavor, an acrylic VSTAR marker, and six Pokémon TCG booster packs. With all this on your side, you'll be ready to go on the rampage with Kleavor VSTAR.

Sharpen Your Game with Kleavor VSTAR!
Kleavor VSTAR slashes and crashes its way out of the wilderness and into your deck with both arms swinging! This powerful Pokémon VSTAR can do more damage for each Pokémon in your discard pile, so your opponent should tread lightly. Both Kleavor VSTAR and Kleavor V are here as playable foil promo cards, along with an oversize card, glossy enamel pin, shimmering coin, and booster packs with more cards to complete your strategy. Watch out—Kleavor VSTAR is ready to rampage!

The Pokémon TCG: Kleavor VSTAR Premium Collection Includes:

• 1 etched foil promo card featuring Kleavor V
• 1 etched foil promo card featuring Kleavor VSTAR
• 1 oversize foil card featuring Kleavor VSTAR
• 6 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 1 collector’s pin featuring Kleavor
• 1 metallic coin featuring Kleavor
• 1 acrylic VSTAR marker
• A code card usable in either the Pokémon TCG Online or Pokémon TCG Live

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/kleavor-vstar-premium-collection/

On March 8th, 2022, The Pokémon Company International unveiled the next expansion for the popular Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance, which launched at participating retailers around the world on May 27th, 2022. High resolution product pictures from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

New Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Expansion to Introduce Radiant Pokémon Gameplay Mechanic

Inspired by the Pokémon Legends: Arceus video game, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will feature various Hisuian Pokémon and card art that showcases the Hisui region. The expansion will also introduce Radiant Pokémon, a new gameplay mechanic that features Shiny Pokémon illustrated in etched artwork. Radiant Pokémon tend to have a powerful Ability or attack with the potential to impact the Pokémon TCG metagame. Players will only be able to include one Radiant Pokémon in their deck.


In addition, Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will continue to highlight Pokémon VSTAR and includes a special Trainer Gallery subset of 30 cards with artwork featuring fan-favorite Trainers and Pokémon.

Noteworthy cards from the expansion include:

• Three Radiant Pokémon
• Eight Pokémon VSTAR
• 21 Pokémon V and two Pokémon VMAX
• More than 20 Trainer cards

Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance will be available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and special collections, with the Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box now available for preorder exclusively at Pokémon Center in the US, Canada and UK.

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield-Astral Radiance Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box

Legends of Time & Space Take Charge!

Travel back to a land of myths, legends, and wilderness as Origin Forme Dialga VSTAR and Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR shape the fabric of time and space! Decidueye, Typhlosion, and Samurott arrive as Hisuian Pokémon VSTAR, joining more Pokémon and Trainers from the ancient region of Hisui. Meanwhile, Shiny Pokémon reappear as Radiant Pokémon, with Radiant Greninja leading the charge in the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion!

This Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box can be found only at Pokémon Center and comes with exclusive accessories—metal dice and a metallic coin—plus 10 booster packs (two more than in a standard Elite Trainer Box).

• 10 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance booster packs - Each booster pack contains 10 cards and either 1 basic Energy or 1 VSTAR marker
• 65 card sleeves featuring Darkrai
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 metal damage-counter dice
• 1 metallic coin featuring Darkrai
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• 1 acrylic VSTAR marker
• A collector’s box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live
• Item Dimensions: 7.4 x 3.4 x 6.5 IN
• Country Of Origin: Printed in the USA. Card Sleeves, Dice, and Condition Markers made in China.
• Materials: Paper / acrylic / polyresin / polypropylene / metal
• Recommended Age: 6+ Years
• Item Weight: 1.7 LB
• SKU: 181-85133

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Astral Radiance Elite Trainer Box

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield Astral Radiance Elite Trainer Box includes everything a player needs to outshine the competition in battle! Dazzle your opponent with cool card sleeves featuring the Mythical Pokémon Darkrai, as well as beautifully designed dice and markers. Then assemble a deck with help from the eight Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance booster packs and guidance from the included strategy guide. When it's all over, pack it all up in the collector's box so you're ready to head to your next clash.

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Darkrai
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player's guide to the Sword & Shield—Astral Radiance expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• 1 acrylic VSTAR marker
• A collector's box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card usable in either the Pokémon TCG Online or Pokémon TCG Live

Various retailers online have revealed the Pokémon TCG: Professor Juniper Premium Tournament Collection which will be released on May 20th, 2022 and will cost $39.99 USD.

Pokémon TCG: Professor Juniper Premium Tournament Collection

Research Your Next Strategy—with Professor Juniper! Professor Juniper guides new Pokémon Trainers as they begin their journey, and in the Pokémon TCG, her in-depth research can help you find the cards you need to succeed! In this premium collection, you get a full playset of the Professor’s Research Supporter card featuring Professor Juniper, plus a protective deck box, card sleeves, coin, and more tournament-ready accessories. You’ll also find a stack of Pokémon TCG booster packs and a code that unlocks another full playset of Professor’s Research in Pokémon TCG Live!
The Pokémon TCG: Professor Juniper Premium Tournament Collection includes:

• 1 full-art foil Professor’s Research Supporter card featuring Professor Juniper
• 3 additional foil Professor’s Research Supporter cards featuring Professor Juniper
• 65 card sleeves featuring Professor Juniper
• A sturdy deck box featuring Professor Juniper
• A large metallic coin featuring Professor Juniper
• 2 coin condition markers
• 6 tournament-ready damage dice
• 7 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A code card for Pokémon TCG Live

The Pokémon TCG: V Heroes Tin will be available Q1 2022, April 22nd, 2022, at the Pokémon Center and where Pokémon TCG products are sold.

Pokémon TCG: V Heroes Tin

Evolve your gameplay with the Pokémon TCG: V Heroes Tin, featuring several powerful Evolutions of Eevee as Pokémon V! Will you choose Espeon V's relaxing radiance, Umbreon V's staggering stare, or Sylveon V's graceful gifts? Each tantalizing tin includes a battle-ready Pokémon V, as well as a trove of treasures in Pokémon TCG booster packs.

The Pokémon TCG: V Heroes Tin includes:

• 1 foil card featuring either Espeon V, Umbreon V, or Sylveon V
• 5 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• A code card usable in either the Pokémon TCG Online or Pokémon TCG Live

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-tcg/product-gallery/v-heroes-tin/

Various online retailers have revealed the Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest - Spring 2022: Rowlet / Cyndaquil / Oshawott. It will be released on May 6th, 2022 for the suggested retail price of $24.99 USD plus tax. The Collector Chest is different to the previously announced Collector Bundle.

Pokémon TCG: Collector Chest - Spring 2022: Rowlet / Cyndaquil / Oshawott

A Treasure Chest Packed with Pokémon! This sturdy metal case contains more than a dozen special Pokémon goodies, including many not found anywhere else.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game: Collector Chest includes:

• 5 Pokémon TCG booster packs
• 3 foil promo cards featuring Rowlet, Cyndaquil, and Oshawott!
• A cool Pokémon coin
• 4 colorful sticker sheets
• A mini portfolio to store your favorite cards
• A Pokémon notebook
• A code card for Pokémon TCG Live