Come this Friday, it doesn't matter if your Pokémon skills are better suited for the card game, or the video game, as both will be fully represented at the 2013 Pokémon US National Championships in Indianapolis, IN.
Rather than a Stadium, players will be competing in the Indiana Convention Center.
"The Pokémon US National Championships is one of the largest and most prestigious Pokémon TCG and video game events in the world, and it provides a great opportunity for fans and players throughout the United States to come together and have fun playing the games they love," said J.C. Smith, director of consumer marketing for The Pokémon Company International. "The event has continued to grow over the last few years and is a great opportunity for attendees to form new friendships and reunite with old friends, and perhaps win a trip to Vancouver for Worlds."
The first event to take place on July 5th will be the TCG US National Championships will begin Friday, bright and early, 9:00 AM. It'll be followed by the Pokémon Video Game US. National Championships the next day, Saturday, July 6, again at 9:00 AM. A winner from each Championships' three age brackets will be dubbed the US National Champions, and will go on to represent the country at the Pokémon World Championships in Vancouver, Canada this August.
In addition to representing the stars n' stripes, finalists also get an invitation and Travel Award to the World Championships to cheer on those reppin' the States, as well as Championship Points, mucho dinero in scholarship awards, a Pokémon National Championship trophy, and Pokémon-themed merch.
Attendees also have a chance at winning some stuff here and there. Bring your DS / 3DS with a copy of Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, or White 2, and you can participate in a special character distribution. There will also be a number of Pokémon League events for players to take part in to earn special prizes.