![]() Thus, there have been no increases in prizing over the years despite the registration costs doubling.Īs far as we’re aware, starting around 2016 or 2017, TPCi quietly moved to a “self-funded” model for Pokemon tournaments. While the prize money went to the Top 64 that season, it changed to only the Top 32 in the 2018 season - a reduction in prizing. The 2017 season is also when cash prizes were first introduced to tournaments. The costs then rose to between $55 and $60 after Covid. By 2017, everyone paid.Įntry fees have continued to rise since 2017, where they started at $30 to $40 for all divisions. Starting in 2016, Juniors and Seniors had to pay the same fees as Masters players depending on the tournament organizer. Masters division players paid around $20 to register while Juniors and Seniors played for free. Registration fees were first introduced in 2013. Pokemon tournaments used to be free to enter. There may be less younger talent replacing Masters players as they inevitably leave the game. ![]() The younger divisions shrink every year and I think we’ll start to see that impact the Masters division. Some of the top Masters players now were Juniors or Seniors players when Pokemon tournaments were free to enter. Many of us grew up in this game as younger players. This means players can only earn points by going to Regionals.Ĭharlie Lockyer, another one of PokeBeach’s competitive writers, added: This is massively detrimental to the growth of our game and its community, which is ultimately what Pokemon is about.īecause of Covid, local Championship Point events like League Cups and League Challenges are currently suspended. But they are a gatekeeper for younger players trying to enter the Pokemon TCG. ![]() Ultimately, the rising costs aren’t the end of the world for longtime players that are going to play anyway. With the continued absence of local events, the game remains inaccessible to new players and especially young players. I’m fortunately in a position where I can afford the cost of registration for multiple events in a year, but if events had this level of cost when I started as a Junior, my family couldn’t have realistically paid for me to play the game. Isaiah Cheville, one of PokeBeach’s competitive article writers, summed up the concerns of many Pokemon players who voiced their opinions on social media: This cost is for all three age divisions, including the Junior division. This weekend TCG players discovered it would cost nearly $70 (after taxes) to register for September’s Baltimore Regionals, the first event of the 2022-2023 season. Entry fees for Pokemon tournaments are continuing to climb. ![]()
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