Bellevue, WA - June 21, 2012 - With the 2012 Summer Olympics rapidly approaching, thousands of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and video game players will compete for a chance to represent the U.S. in another world-class event this August. The 2012 Pokémon U.S. National Championships takes place June 29^th- July 1^st in Indianapolis, Indiana with invitations to the 2012 Pokémon World Championships in Hawaii on the line. At the Pokémon World Championships, top U.S. players will be representing the red, white, and blue against some of the best Pokémon TCG and video game players from over 25 countries, including Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain.

Like their Pokémon TCG playing counterparts, this is the first year The Pokémon Company International has opened competition at the U.S. National Championships to all U.S. Pokémon video game players in good standing. They will be joining video game competitors who earned top finishes at the 2011 Pokémon Autumn Regionals and 2012 Pokémon Spring Regionals. These top players from regional events across the country have already earned Travel Awards to Indianapolis and first round byes at the U.S. National Championships.

The national competition, being held at the Indiana Convention Center, is expected to draw the largest attendance of Pokémon players, family, friends, and fans of any Play! Pokémon competitive event this year.

Registration Information

Players do not need to qualify for the Pokémon TCG or Video Game National Championships; however, there will be a limited number of slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. All registration will take place at the Indiana Convention Center.

Pre-registration for the Pokémon TCG National Championships will take place on Thursday, June 28^th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and open registration will run on Friday, June 29^th from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Pokémon video game players will battle head-to-head playing either the Pokémon Black Version or Pokémon White Version video game playable on the Nintendo 3DS in 2D mode and Nintendo DS systems. Pre-registration for all video game divisions will be held on Friday, June 29^th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and general registration will be held on Saturday, June 30^th between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. for Masters Division competitors and from 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for competitors in the Junior and Senior Divisions.

Visit www.pokemon.com for more information, including rules, regulations, and registration for the 2012 Pokémon U.S. National Championships.