The 2016 Pokémon World Championships marked a significant milestone for both The Pokémon Company and competitive gaming, drawing nearly 1,700 of the world’s best Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), video game, and, making its debut, Pokkén Tournament players.
Celebrated at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel from August 19–21, these championships represented the event’s thirteenth iteration, reinforcing its status as a pinnacle in the competitive Pokémon calendar. Competing athletes hailed from over 30 nations, each battling for a coveted spot atop their division.
After three days of intense play, eight new champions were crowned across multiple categories spanning Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Video Game, and the newly-introduced Pokkén Tournament.
The event also drew an enthusiastic on-site audience of more than 2,000 supporters, while another 1.5 million fans joined via online streams, reflecting Pokémon’s enduring global reach across platforms like Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop. The prize pool for the 2016 Pokémon World Championships surpassed $600,000, distributed among the top finishers through scholarships, cash prizes, and Travel Certificates.
Since the championships began over a decade ago, more than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to supporting players both in and out of the competitive scene.
Each winner also received an exclusive Pokémon World Championships trophy and an invitation to defend their title at the 2017 event. Reflecting on the communal spirit of the event, The Pokémon Company International’s senior director of consumer marketing, J.C.
Smith, expressed gratitude to the worldwide community, stating that the championships continue to unite players, families, volunteers, and fans to celebrate the Pokémon games they love.
Smith extended congratulations to all new champions and appreciation for the event’s growing fanbase. Here are the results for the 2016 Pokémon World Championships: Pokémon TCG Champions: - Junior: Shunto Sadahiro (Japan) - Senior: Jesper Eriksen (Denmark) - Masters: Shintaro Ito (Japan) Pokémon Video Game Champions: - Junior: Cory Connor (United States) - Senior: Carson Confer (United States) - Masters: Wolfe Glick (United States) Pokkén Tournament Champions (first year included): - Senior: Josh Simmonite (United Kingdom) - Masters: Masami Sato (Japan) With the addition of Pokkén Tournament to its competitive lineup and continued strong turnout from players and spectators worldwide, the 2016 Pokémon World Championships showcased both the rich tradition and ongoing evolution of Pokémon competition.
As the series looks toward further innovation and future championships, the event remains a cornerstone for the Nintendo and Pokémon communities, celebrating both competitive excellence and the universal appeal of the brand.
Celebrated at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis Hotel from August 19–21, these championships represented the event’s thirteenth iteration, reinforcing its status as a pinnacle in the competitive Pokémon calendar. Competing athletes hailed from over 30 nations, each battling for a coveted spot atop their division.
After three days of intense play, eight new champions were crowned across multiple categories spanning Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Video Game, and the newly-introduced Pokkén Tournament.
The event also drew an enthusiastic on-site audience of more than 2,000 supporters, while another 1.5 million fans joined via online streams, reflecting Pokémon’s enduring global reach across platforms like Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop. The prize pool for the 2016 Pokémon World Championships surpassed $600,000, distributed among the top finishers through scholarships, cash prizes, and Travel Certificates.
Since the championships began over a decade ago, more than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to supporting players both in and out of the competitive scene.
Each winner also received an exclusive Pokémon World Championships trophy and an invitation to defend their title at the 2017 event. Reflecting on the communal spirit of the event, The Pokémon Company International’s senior director of consumer marketing, J.C.
Smith, expressed gratitude to the worldwide community, stating that the championships continue to unite players, families, volunteers, and fans to celebrate the Pokémon games they love.
Smith extended congratulations to all new champions and appreciation for the event’s growing fanbase. Here are the results for the 2016 Pokémon World Championships: Pokémon TCG Champions: - Junior: Shunto Sadahiro (Japan) - Senior: Jesper Eriksen (Denmark) - Masters: Shintaro Ito (Japan) Pokémon Video Game Champions: - Junior: Cory Connor (United States) - Senior: Carson Confer (United States) - Masters: Wolfe Glick (United States) Pokkén Tournament Champions (first year included): - Senior: Josh Simmonite (United Kingdom) - Masters: Masami Sato (Japan) With the addition of Pokkén Tournament to its competitive lineup and continued strong turnout from players and spectators worldwide, the 2016 Pokémon World Championships showcased both the rich tradition and ongoing evolution of Pokémon competition.
As the series looks toward further innovation and future championships, the event remains a cornerstone for the Nintendo and Pokémon communities, celebrating both competitive excellence and the universal appeal of the brand.
