FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

M E D I A AL E R T

POKÉMON ANNOUNCES U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Pokémon TCG Players to Compete July 7-8 for National Champion Title, World Championships Invite

BELLEVUE, Wash.—June 18, 2007—Pokémon USA, Inc., a worldwide leader in trading card games, today announced the Pokémon® Trading Card Game (TCG) National Championships in Columbus, Ohio, July 7–8. National Championships provide players the opportunity to earn a scholarship and win the honor of a National Champion title. The top four winners also qualify for an invitation to the Pokémon TCG World Championships™ at the Hilton Waikoloa Village, Waikoloa, Hawaii, August 10–12. Pokémon TCG tournaments and leagues test a player’s Pokémon TCG skills, strategy, and creativity.

The Pokémon TCG National Championships are held July 7–8 at the Origins International Game Expo at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and are open to all players in good standing. Competitors are divided into three divisions: Junior Division (born in 1996 or later), Senior Division (born in 1992, 1993, 1994, or 1995), and Masters Division (born in 1991 or earlier). In addition to a National Championships TCG trophy and prestigious National Champion title, the first-place winners will receive an invitation and Travel Award to the Pokémon TCG World Championships and a $5,000 scholarship. Second- through fourth-place winners will receive an invitation and Travel Award to the World Championships, as well as scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $3000. The top 16 finishers in each category will be rewarded with Pokémon TCG booster packs. The Pokémon TCG World Championships is an invite-only event, and players must participate in a qualifying tournament to receive an invitation.

WHO: All POP players

WHAT: Pokémon TCG National Championships. The event is open to the public and has free admission. To participate, players must purchase an entrance badge for the Origins International Game Expo.

WHEN: July 7–8, 2007, beginning at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 North High St., Columbus, Ohio

For more information, please visit http://www.go-pokemon.com/op/premierevents/