The inaugural event of 'Pokémon Team Masters,' a new team tournament for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, will take place in South Korea in January 2027.
The newly announced Pokémon Team Masters is a team-format competition. The tournament is designed as a new arena of challenge where Trainers can connect and share their passion through team battles. The first event will feature the Trading Card Game category and will be held across two days, January 23 and 24, 2027, in Halls 1 and 2 of KINTEX Exhibition Center 1.
The competition will be conducted as an open league for teams of three. With a total capacity of 2,000 players, approximately 670 teams can participate, and entry is free. Applications are open regardless of residential area, allowing players from different regions to form teams together. Registration can be submitted through the 'Pokémon Team Masters Web' from 2:00 PM on September 28 until noon on October 23. If applications exceed capacity, participants will be selected via lottery, with results announced at 2:00 PM on November 13.
On the first day of the tournament, the approximately 670 participating teams will compete in up to seven Swiss-system qualifying rounds. Teams that secure five or more wins will advance to the first main stage on Day 2. The first main stage will also follow a Swiss format, carrying over win-loss records from the qualifiers for up to three additional rounds. The top 16 teams will advance to the second main stage, where they will compete in a single-elimination tournament to decide the ultimate champion.
The tournament will follow the latest official regulations, with three special rules applied. Each team can register three decks, and swapping decks between teammates during the tournament is not permitted. Pokémon with the same name cannot be included across multiple decks. Furthermore, under the floor rules, team members are not allowed to pause matches to consult or advise each other during play. Teammates must play their matches in the order registered in advance.
Participating players can purchase a Player Kit that includes items such as a bag, with further details to be revealed at a later date. Additional prizes will be awarded to top-ranking teams: card sleeves for the top 64 teams, double deck boxes for the top 32 teams, and playmats for the top 16 teams. The top 4 teams will receive invitations to compete in the TCG division at the Pokémon World Championships 2027, along with commemorative plaques containing the 'Victory Symbol' promo card.
Detailed information regarding Pokémon Team Masters can be found on the official Pokémon Team Masters website.
