Pokémon TCG Players Outraged After Yokohama Open Is Cancelled
The competitive Pokémon community is reaching a breaking point with the World Championships 2023.
After years of no in-person events, The Pokémon Company decided to make this year’s Worlds massive by announcing it would be in Japan. Immediately, Pokémon card and video game players started celebrating the idea of heading to Japan to participate in a massive event while also getting to explore Tokyo.
But the romanticization soon ended.
First, The Pokémon Company revealed that trainers would have to sign up for a lottery if they wanted to get a spectator badge for the event. This meant that anyone who didn’t qualify for the main tournament was not guaranteed attendance to Worlds.
This was already quite baffling to the Pokémon community, with some pointing out that some had already bought plane tickets and hotel accommodations after Worlds was announced.
If that wasn’t already bad enough, The Pokémon Company then announced that all of the various activities at Worlds available to spectators not competing in the main competition would be raffled away. Similar to the badges, trainers had to hope for enough luck to be able to watch live shows or even go to the exclusive store.
Many who were lucky enough to get the spectator badge in the previous lottery were ultimately unable to do anything with their badges.
Now, The Pokémon Company has announced the most egregious update of all.
Pokémon Community Stunned with Cancelation of Yokohama Open
Earlier on July 20, the official Pokémon Twitter account stated that the Yokohama Open, which had competitive TCG players from around the world hyped for a strong start to the 2024 season.
The Yokohama Open was originally planned to run from August 11 to 13. Trainers who didn’t qualify for the main Worlds competition were planning to compete in the Yokohama Open to get points toward the next season.
Said Pokémon: “Regretfully, the decision has been made to cancel the Yokohama Open. Please look forward to participating in fun side events and activities throughout Worlds weekend.”
The community has reacted with rage at Pokémon’s handling of Worlds this year. Many expressed that this shouldn’t even be allowed to happen. A lot of people had purchased plane tickets and lodging with the goal of competing in the Open.
Some Pokémon fans said it was quite shocking that it would be canceled just a few weeks before. A lot of trainers demanded an explanation. Some even said they should be given Championship Points or a refund due to this last-minute cancellation.
For now, TCPI most likely won’t comment on the unpopular decision any further.
