Pokémon 2022 International Challenge February, March, April announced for players worldwide; Pokémon Japan Championships 2022 Qualifiers in May

The Pokémon Company has announced three Pokémon 2022 International Challenge online competitions, which will be taking place over February, March, and April for all players globally. Top players from Japan in these online competitions will also qualify for the Pokémon Japan Championships 2022 Qualifiers that will be held in May. Successful trainers from that competition will then qualify to participate in the Pokémon Japan Championships 2022 in June.

The schedule for the events is as follows:

Competition name​	Registration period​	Battle period​	Results​	Participation rewards​
2022 International Challenge February	February 3 at 2:00 p.m. JST to February 18 at 8:59 a.m. JST	February 18 at 9:00 a.m. JST to February 21 at 8:59 a.m. JST	Late February	Shiny Galarian Articuno
2022 International Challenge March	February 24 at 2:00 p.m. JST to March 11 at 8:59 a.m. JST	March 11 at 9:00 a.m. JST to March 14 at 8:59 a.m. JST	Late March	Shiny Galarian Zapdos
2022 International Challenge April	March 31 at 2:00 p.m. JST to April 15 at 8:59 a.m. JST	April 15 at 9:00 a.m. JST to April 18 at 8:59 a.m. JST	Late April	Shiny Galarian Moltres
Pokémon Japan Championships 2022 Qualifiers	April 21 at 2:00 p.m. JST to May 6 at 8:59 a.m. JST	May 6 at 9:00 a.m. JST to May 9 at 8:59 a.m. JST	Late May	50 BP (Must participate in at least 3 battles)

All battles in these competitions will be held using Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, with competitions to be conducted in Double Battles format. The competitions will use the Ranked Battle Series 12 regulations, in which Trainers will be allowed to have one of their Pokémon Dynamax or Gigantamax during battle and two Pokémon from a list of Restricted Pokémon can be included on their Battle Team. Pokémon must have either the Galar symbol, or the battle-ready symbol. Duplicate Pokémon and duplicate held items are not allowed. All Pokémon will be set to Lv. 50, including Pokémon below Lv. 50.

The following limits will apply to competition battles:

• Pokémon to be selected for battle: 4 Pokémon
• Time for each battle: Up to 7 minutes
• Time to select a Pokémon for a battle: 90 seconds
• Time to select a Pokémon per turn: 45 seconds
• Number of battles allowed per day: 15 (remaining matches can be carried over to the next day or later, with each day starting at 0:00 UTC)
• Total time allowed (only applicable for the Pokémon Japan Championships 2022): 20 minutes maximum

To participate, players must register their Nintendo Switch systems with a Nintendo Account and be subscribed to the paid Nintendo Switch Online subscription. Only 1 user will be permitted to enter each competition per Nintendo Switch console.

Divisions and Age Groups (In all the International Challenges, the Junior and Senior will participate as a single division)

• Junior division: Born in 2010 or later
• Senior division: Born in 2006 and before 2009
• Master division: Born in 2005 or earlier

Players will be allowed to use any of the following Pokémon in their teams for this competition:

• Galar Pokédex number 001-400, The Isle of Armor Pokédex number 001-210, and The Crown Tundra Pokédex number 001-210.
• Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Treecko, Grovyle, Sceptile, Torchic, Combusken, Blaziken, Mudkip, Marshtomp, Swampert, Latias, Latios, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf, Heatran, Regigigas, Cresselia, Tornadus, Thundurus, Landorus, Rowlet, Dartrix, Decidueye, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar, Popplio, Brionne, Primarina, Tapu Koko, Tapu Lele, Tapu Bulu, Tapu Fini, Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Poipole, Naganadel, Stakataka, and Blacephalon.

Additionally, up to two of the following restricted Pokémon may be included on a trainer's team:
Mewtwo, Lugia, Ho-Oh, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Dialga, Palkia, Giratina, Reshiram, Zekrom, Kyurem, Xerneas, Yveltal, Zygarde, Cosmog, Cosmoem, Solgaleo, Lunala, Necrozma, Zacian, Zamazenta, Eternatus, and Calyrex

To register for the competition, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select VS.
4. Select Battle Stadium.
5. Select Online Competitions.
6. Select Search Official Competitions.

To view your rankings after the competition has ended, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select VS.
4. Select Battle Stadium.
5. Select Online Competitions.
6. Select Search Official Competitions.

To receive your participation gift after the competition, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select Mystery Gift.
4. Select Get a Mystery Gift.
5. Select Get Battle Stadium Rewards.

The top 30 players in Japan for each International Challenges will qualify for the Pokémon Japan Championships 2022. For those qualify, they will receive an e-mail to the registered e-mail address of their Nintendo Account from the Pokémon Co., Ltd. The e-mail must be replied to to confirm their eligibility. The e-mail will be sent within 10 days after the completion of each competition.