Pokémon League (TCG)
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This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it. Reason: updated participation and reward system information. |
A Pokémon League, often casually referred to simply as a League, is a periodic gathering, typically weekly, of players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game and Pokémon video games. During a Pokémon League session, players battle and trade for fun. It is not a structured tournament and there are no regular "prizes" for winning. However, each player can obtain an official Player ID. Event organizers will upload player event play information to Play! Pokémon, eventually resulting in minor prizes.
Most Pokémon Leagues meet once a week, year round, though some meet more or less than that. Some Leagues running once a month during only a certain time period. A lot of the time Pokemon leagues do tournaments and if you win the tournament regionals for example you win a prize and go into nationals and the same thing happens with nationals, but in internationals you get a large sum of cash. Last year was £500,000 for winning the internationals.
League Leader
A League Leader is the person in charge of maintaining a Pokémon League. The League Leader takes care of organizing League dates, to ensure that Play! Pokémon is aware of the League's existence in order to receive player rewards and other League materials. Additionally, the League Leader is expected to upload play information to Play! Pokémon when players play games and to hand out the promotions materials supplied to the League's players once they have been earned.
My Play! Pokémon
- Main article: player ID
Upon registering with a Pokémon League, players receive a Play! Pokémon Player ID. Event organizers upload player event information that may then be viewed by a player, including games played, a player's Rankings, Premier Ratings, Tournaments (for Tournament Organizers only), or Leagues (for League Leaders only) on the Pokémon.com website.
At one time, players receive a physical Score Card made of a fold-able piece of card stock approximately the size of a small greeting card. The outer design of this card provided space for the player's name and Player ID. Inside the card were two sides, one for TCG matches and one for video game battles. Completing any row earned the player a League promotional reward. This entire tracking system has been replaced with the Play! Pokémon on-line tracking system.
Current rewards
Promotional foil cards
Promotional cards earned in Pokémon Leagues, dubbed "League Promos", are exclusive to Pokémon Leagues. The cards are not traditional Black Star promotional cards; instead, these cards are foil, Play! Pokémon branded versions of existing set cards.
2009-2010
- Rival Season: Snorlax and Uxie
- Cyrus Season: Arcanine G and Dialga G
- Cynthia Season: Milotic C and Claydol
- Palmer Season: Dragonite FB and Roseanne's Research
- Thorton Season: Skarmory FB and Felicity's Drawing
- Dahlia Season: Dusknoir FB and Bebe's Search
- Darach Season: Empoleon FB and Underground Expedition
- Argenta Season: Butterfree FB and Warp Point
2010-2011
- Ring Drop Season: Donphan and Spiritomb
- Hurdle Dash Season: Crobat and Expert Belt
- Snow Throw Season: Delibird and Azelf
- Block Smash Season: Steelix and Special Metal Energy
- Disc Catch Season: Houndoom and Special Darkness Energy
- Snivy Season: Snivy and Broken Time Space
- Tepig Season: Tepig and Copycat
- Oshawott Season Oshawott and Double Colorless Energy
2011-2012
- Trio Season: Lillipup and Grass Energy (Black & White 105)
- Basic Season: Watchog and Fire Energy (Black & White 106)
- Insect Season: Whirlipede and Psychic Energy (Black & White 109)
- Bolt Season: Zebstrika and Lightning Energy (Black & White 108)
- Quake Season: Krokorok and Fighting Energy (Black & White 110)
- Jet Season: Unfezant and Metal Energy (Black & White 112)
- Freeze Season: Cryogonal and Water Energy (Black & White 107)
- Legend Season: Fraxure and Darkness Energy (Black & White 111)
2012-2013
- Aspertia Gym Season: unknown
- Virbank Gym Season: unknown
- Castelia Gym Season: unknown
- Nimbasa Gym Season: unknown
- Driftveil Gym Season: unknown
- Mistralton Gym Season: unknown
- Opelucid Gym Season: unknown
- Humilau Gym Season: unknown
2013-2014
- Chespin Season: Skyla
- Fennekin Season: N (BW Promo 100)
- Froakie Season: Bianca
- Xerneas Season: Enhanced Hammer
- Yveltal Season: Escape Rope
- Chesnaught Season: Crushing Hammer
- Delphox Season: Pokemon Catcher
- Greninja Season: Tierno
2014-2015
- Geodude Rustboro Gym Season: Professor's Letter
- Machop Dewford Gym Season: Muscle Band
- Mauville Gym Season: Magnetic Storm
- Slugma Lavaridge Gym Season: Fiery Torch
- Slaking Petalburg Gym Season: Pokémon Fan Club
- Altaria Fortree Gym Season: Battle Reporter
- Solrock Mossdeep Gym Season: Dimension Valley
- Milotic Sootopolis Gym Season: Training Center
2015-2016
- Zoroark BREAK Season: Flabebe
- Rescue Season: Volcanion
2016-2017
- Boulder Season: Pikachu, Gym Badge, Gym Badge
- Thunder Season: Gym Badge, Gym Badge, Gym Badge
- Marsh Season: Gym Badge, Gym Badge, Gym Badge
- Sun & Moon Season 1: 4 Decidueye
- Sun & Moon Season 2: 4 Incineroar
- Sun & Moon Season 3: 4 Primarina
- Guardians Rising Season 1: 4 Oricorio
- Guardians Rising Season 2: 4 Oricorio
- Guardians Rising Season 3: 4 Oricorio
2017-2018
- Burning Shadows Season 1: 4 Darkrai
- Burning Shadows Season 2: 4 Diancie
- Burning Shadows Season 3: 4 Zygarde
Online Codes
During the 2012-2013 season online codes for special league promos were introduced. These code cards can be used in the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online and rewarded the player with a set of digital league promo cards. New code cards were distributed for the 2013-2014 season, albeit only 1 could be obtained by a player at each league, as opposed to 4.
2012-2013
- Aspertia Gym Season: 2 Lillipup, 1 Aspertia City Gym, 4 Fire Energy
- Virbank Gym Season: 2 Venipede, 1 Full Heal, 4 Psychic Energy
- Castelia Gym Season: 2 Swadloon, 1 Pokémon Catcher, 4 Grass Energy
- Nimbasa Gym Season: 2 Emolga, 1 N, 4 Lightning Energy
- Driftveil Gym Season: 2 Sandslash, 1 Rocky Helmet, 4 Fighting Energy
- Mistralton Gym Season: 2 Swanna, 1 Skyla, 4 Metal Energy
- Opelucid Gym Season: 2 Flygon, 1 Heavy Ball, 4 Darkness Energy
- Humilau Gym Season: 2 Wailord, 1 Super Rod, 4 Water Energy
2013-2014
- Chespin Season 1: 2 Nincada, 2 Ninjask, 1 Skyla, 4 Grass Energy
- Fennekin Season 2: 2 Darumaka, 2 Darmanitan, 1 N, 4 Fire Energy
- Froakie Season 3: 2 Magikarp, 2 Gyarados, 1 Bianca, 4 Water Energy
- Xerneas Season 4: 1 Reshiram-EX, 2 Reshiram, 1 Enhanced Hammer, 4 Lightning Energy
- Yveltal Season 5: 1 Zekrom-EX, 2 Zekrom, 1 Escape Rope, 4 Psychic Energy
- Chesnaught Season 6: 2 Snubbull, 2 Granbull, 1 Crushing Hammer, 4 Fairy Energy
- Delphox Season 7: 2 Poochyena, 2 Mightyena, 1 Pokémon Catcher, 4 Darkness Energy
- Greninja Season 8: 2 Pawniard, 2 Bisharp, 1 Tierno, 4 Metal Energy
2014-2015
- Geodude Rustboro Gym - Season 1: 4 Geodude, 2 Graveler, 1 Golem, 2 Professor's Letter, 8 Metal Energy
- Machop Dewford Gym - Season 2: 4 Machop, 2 Machoke, 1 Machamp, 2 Muscle Band, 8 Fighting Energy
- Magneton Mauville Gym - Season 3: 4 Voltorb, 2 Electrode, 2 Magnetic Storm, 1 Rainbow Energy, 8 Lightning Energy
- Slugma Lavaridge Gym - Season 4: 4 Slugma, 2 Magcargo, 1 Torkoal, 2 Fiery Torch, 8x Fire Energy
- Slaking Petalburg Gym - Season 5: 4 Slakoth, 2 Vigoroth, 1 Slaking, 2 Pokémon Fan Club, 8 Grass Energy
- Altaria Fortree Gym - Season 6: 4 Taillow, 2 Swellow, 1 Hawlucha, 2 Battle Reporter, 8 Fairy Energy
- Solrock Mossdeep Gym - Season 7: 4 Zubat, 1 Girafarig, 2 Bronzong, 2 Dimension Valley, 8 Psychic Energy
- Milotic Sootopolis Gym - Season 8: 4 Poliwag, 2 Poliwhirl, 1 Politoed, 2 Training Center, 8 Water Energy
2015-2016
- Nature Season: 4 Flabébé, 2015 Nature Season Card Sleeves
- Tech Season: 4 Floette, 2015 Tech Season Coin
- BREAK Season: 4 Florges, 2015 BREAK Season Deck Box
- Parallel Season: 4 Chikorita, 2016 Parallel Season Card Sleeves
- Rift Season: 4 Bayleef, 2016 Rift Season Deck Box
- Worlds Collide Season: 4 Meganium, 2016 Worlds Collide Season Coin
- New Friends Season: 4 Fennekin, 2016 New Friends Season Card Sleeves
- Alakazam! Season: 4 Braixen, 2016 Alakazam! Season Deck Box
- Closure Season: 4 Delphox, 2016 Closure Season Coin
- Steam Siege Season: 4 Yveltal, 2016 Steam Siege Season Card Sleeves
- Gear Season: 4 Xerneas, 2016 Gear Season Deck Box
- Rescue Season: 4 Volcanion, Red Volcanion Coin
2016-2017
- Boulder Season: 4 Pikachu, 4 Gym Badge, 4 Gym Badge, Evolution Season 1 Card Sleeves (Pikachu)
- Thunder Season: 4 Gym Badge, 4 Gym Badge, 4 Gym Badge, Evolution Season 2 Deck Box (Pikachu)
- Marsh Season: 4 Gym Badge, 4 Gym Badge, 4 Gym Badge, Evolution Season 3 Coin (Pikachu)
- Sun & Moon Season 1: 4 Decidueye, 2017 Sun & Moon Season 1 Deck Box
- Sun & Moon Season 2: 4 Incineroar
- Sun & Moon Season 3: 4 Primarina, 2017 Sun & Moon Season 3 Card Sleeves
- Guardians Rising Season 1: 4 Oricorio, 2017 Guardians Rising Season 1 Deck Box
- Guardians Rising Season 2: 4 Oricorio, 2017 Guardians Rising Season 2 Coin (Sun&Moon starters)
- Guardians Rising Season 3: 4 Oricorio, 2017 Guardians Rising Season 3 Card Sleeves
2017-2018
- Burning Shadows Season 1: 4 Darkrai, 2017 Burning Shadows Season 1 Deck Box
- Burning Shadows Season 2: 4 Diancie, 2017 Burning Shadows Season 2 Coin (Ho-oh)
- Burning Shadows Season 3: 4 Zygarde, 2017 Burning Shadows Season 3 Card Sleeves
Key Chains
During the 2013-2014 cycle key chains where introduced as League promotional items. The key chains featured the Pokémon from that season.
2013-2014
- Chespin Key Chain
- Fennekin Key Chain
- Froakie Key Chain
- Xerneas Key Chain
- Yveltal Key Chain
- Chesnaught Key Chain
- Delphox Key Chain
- Greninja Key Chain
Discontinued rewards
POP booster packs
If players played a certain number of games, they received a booster pack of Pokémon Organized Play cards. When the exclusivity of each POP set's distribution ceased, the remaining packs were sold as part of repackaged TCG merchandise, like the EX Collector's Box, or repacks made by third-party manufacturers.
Patches
Starting in the 2010-2011 cycle, a heat seal patch was given out that matches the League Season. The patch, while technically a heat seal, could also be hand-ironed. Patches were discontinued for Trio Season, in the 2011-2012 cycle.
Promotional Nintendo DS skin
These adhesive skins were designed to decorate a player's Nintendo DS. Criteria for winning these depend on what the League Leader would like to do, though traditionally the skins were given after completing an entire side on a card.
Badges
Badges were obtained in a Pokémon League once a player completed their League Card and reached the Badge symbol at the end. Badges in the Pokémon League often, but not always, corresponded with Badges in the Pokémon games. Records of a player's earned Badges would be kept in a Badge Book.
2012-2013 Unova Gym cycle
During this cycle it was possible to order a free Badge case from the official Pokémon site, to be delivered to their chosen league, if the player was registered in a Pokémon League, and had a Pokémon Trainer Club account. This case holds all 8 badges and has 2 spots in the lid for Nintendo DS or Nintendo 3DS game cards. Badges in this cycle were no longer pins, instead they have the same shape as they do in the games.
- Aspertia Badge (Second version of Basic Badge)
- Virbank Badge (First version, Toxic Badge in the games)
- Castelia Badge (Second version of Insect Badge)
- Nimbasa Badge (Second version of Bolt Badge)
- Driftveil Badge (Second version of Quake Badge)
- Mistralton Badge (Second version of Jet Badge)
- Opelucid Badge (Second version of Legend Badge)
- Humilau Badge (First version, Wave Badge in the games)
2011-2012 Unova Region cycle
Starting with the 2011-2012 cycle, Badges were reintroduced into the League promotional items. All of the new Badges were featured in the games Pokémon Black and White Versions and Pokémon Black and White Versions 2, in the respective league cycles.
- Trio Badge
- Basic Badge
- Insect Badge
- Bolt Badge
- Quake Badge
- Jet Badge
- Freeze Badge
- Legend Badge
2008-2009 Energy cycle
These Badges were based on the symbols appearing on Energy cards.
- Season 1: Grass Badge
- Season 2: Fire Badge
- Season 3: Water Badge
- Season 4: Lightning Badge
- Season 5: Psychic Badge
- Season 6: Fighting Badge
- Season 7: Dark Badge
- Season 8: Steel Badge
2007-2008 Sinnoh Region cycle
These Badges were based on the Badges appearing in the Sinnoh central Generation IV games.
- Season 1: Coal Badge
- Season 2: Forest Badge
- Season 3: Cobble Badge
- Season 4: Fen Badge
- Season 5: Relic Badge
- Season 6: Mine Badge
- Season 7: Icicle Badge
- Season 8: Beacon Badge
2006-2007 Kanto Region cycle
These Badges were based on the Badges appearing in the Generation I remakes, FireRed and LeafGreen.
- Season 1: Boulder Badge
- Season 2: Cascade Badge
- Season 3: Thunder Badge
- Season 4: Rainbow Badge
- Season 5: Soul Badge
- Season 6: Marsh Badge
- Season 7: Volcano Badge
- Season 8: Earth Badge
2005-2006 Battle Frontier cycle
These Badges were based on the Frontier Symbols from the Hoenn Battle Frontier, featured in Pokémon Emerald.
- Season 1: Tactics Badge
- Season 2: Guts Badge
- Season 3: Luck Badge
- Season 4: Knowledge Badge
- Season 5: Spirit Badge
- Season 6: Ability Badge
- Season 7: Brave Badge
2004-2005 Sevii Islands cycle
These Badges were named after the Sevii Islands in FireRed and LeafGreen. However, their appearance was based on different types of Poké Balls.
- Season 1: Knot Island Badge
- Season 2: Boon Island Badge
- Season 3: Kin Island Badge
- Season 4: Floe Island Badge
- Season 5: Chrono Island Badge
- Season 6: Fortune Island Badge
- Season 7: Quest Island Badge
- Season 8: Trainer Tower Badge
2003-2004 Hoenn Region cycle
These Badges were based on the Badges appearing in the Hoenn central Generation III games.
- Season 1: Stone Badge
- Season 2: Knuckle Badge
- Season 3: Dynamo Badge
- Season 4: Heat Badge
- Season 5: Balance Badge
- Season 6: Feather Badge
- Season 7: Mind Badge
- Season 8: Rain Badge
2001-2002 Johto Region cycle
These Badges were based on the Badges appearing in the Generation II games. For the 2001-2002 League, badges were acquired at a certain number of points gained during that particular season. The points required per badge were:
- Season 1: Zephyr Badge — 400 Points
- Season 2: Hive Badge — 430 Points
- Season 3: Plain Badge — 480 Points
- Season 4: Fog Badge — 550 Points
- Season 5: Storm Badge — 650 Points
- Season 6: Mineral Badge — 680 Points
- Season 7: Glacier Badge — 930 Points
- Season 8: Rising Badge — 1100 Points
For each 50 points gained in a particular season beyond the necessary points required for that particular badge, 10 points was added to the next season.
2000-2001 Kanto Region cycle
These Badges were based on the Badges appearing in the Generation I games.
- Season 1: Boulder Badge
- Season 2: Cascade Badge
- Season 3: Thunder Badge
- Season 4: Rainbow Badge
- Season 5: Soul Badge
- Season 6: Marsh Badge
- Season 7: Volcano Badge
- Season 8: Earth Badge
Reverse Holographic Energy Cards
2011-2012 Unova Region Cycle
Players were given these energy cards in addition to their badge for completing the first 4 of 8 rows on either (or partially both) of the 2 sides of their league card.
- Trio Season: Grass Energy
- Basic Season: Fire Energy
- Insect Season: Psychic Energy
- Bolt Season: Lightning Energy
- Quake Season: Fighting Energy
- Jet Season: Metal Energy
- Freeze Season: Water Energy
- Legend Season: Darkness Energy
2002-2003 Energize Your Game cycle
No Badges were given out this cycle. Instead, players were awarded Reverse Holographic Energy cards, and Pokémon Licenses took the place of Badge Books.
- Season 1: Rainbow Energy
- Season 2: Fighting Energy
- Season 3: Fire Energy
- Season 4: Grass Energy
- Season 5: Lightning Energy
- Season 6: Psychic Energy
- Season 7: Water Energy
- Season 8: Colorless Energy
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This article is part of Project TCG, a Bulbapedia project that aims to report on every aspect of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. |
