Pokémon Black and White Championship Series tourney begin in May
Wanna be the very best, like no one ever was? A series of events across Europe, the UK and the US beginning next month will culiminate in a Pokémon Black and White World Championship in August.
The 2011 Pokémon World Championships will be held in San Diego, California, August 12 to 14.
European competitors will need to place in the top eight at one of five events, beginning on June 4 in Birmingham. Qualifying players will receive travel allowances, prizes, and commemorative medals.
The European competitions will be divided by age brackets, with 256 slots each for junior and senior, and 512 for masters - those born before 1996. Only the European version of the game will be allowed, and players are restricted to the Unova Pokédex.
The US will host six qualifiers, with the first in Seattle on May 14. The top 16 finalists will earn places in the US National Championships in July, with the top eight going on to the World Championships.
See dates and locations below, thanks to Joystiq.
2011 Pokémon Video Game National Championships: European Dates and Locations:
June 4th, Birmingham, United Kingdom- National Exhibition Centre, Hall 8
June 11th, Rome, Italy- Fiera Roma, Hall 12, Ingresso Nord
June 18th, Madrid, Spain- IFEMA, Hall 1, Feria de Madrid
June 25th, Paris, France- Espace Grande Arche, Parvis de La Défense
July 2 nd , Cologne, Germany- EXPO XXI Köln GmbH, Gladbacher Wall 5
At all European National locations, Junior and Senior Division lines open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 8:30 a.m. The Masters Division line opens at 12:30 p.m. and closes at 1:00 p.m .
2011 Pokémon Video Game Championship Series: U.S. Dates and Locations:
May 14th, Seattle, WA- Washington State Convention Center, Hall 4B
May 21st, San Jose, CA - San Jose Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 2
May 28th, Dallas, TX- Arlington Convention Center, Grand Hall
June 4th, Atlanta, GA- Gwinnett Center, Hall A and B
June 11th, Washington, D.C.- Dulles Expo Center, South Hall
June 18th, Newark, NJ- Meadowlands Exposition Center
2011 Pokémon World Championships:
August 12th–14th, San Diego, CA*- Hilton San Diego Bayfront
*Last Chance Qualifier for the 2011 Pokémon World Championships will be held August 12th at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.