Pokemon World Championship 2024 Honolulu Hawaii recap
Courtesy of Pokémon
A Journey to the Pokémon World Championship 2024: A Personal Experience in Honolulu from KickinCards
When I first heard that the 2024 Pokémon World Championship was going to be held in Honolulu, I was instantly sold. Pokémon has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and the chance to combine this passion with the allure of Hawaii was too good to pass up. As I packed my clothes and organized my decks, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement brewing inside me. The Pokémon World Championship is more than just a competition—it’s a celebration of the franchise we all grew up with, and Honolulu made for the perfect place to celebrate.
**Arrival in Paradise**
The flight into Honolulu was a bit long, but stepping off the plane to the warm Hawaiian breeze made it all worthwhile. Honolulu’s lush greenery, crystal-clear waters, and the Hawaiian culture made an inviting setting for the event. I checked into my hotel and immediately headed for the Hawaii Convention Center, which was buzzing with excitement and activity.
Walking through the gates of the championship venue felt like stepping into an alternate universe where Pokémon reigns supreme. The large Pokémon-themed displays, life-sized statues, and the energy of fans, players, and cosplayers filled every corner. It was surreal seeing people from all over the world gathered in one place, united by their love for this franchise. It is something i hope that everyone in this hobby can experience for themselves one day because it is truly a experience that you will never forget.
**The Championship Experience**
The main event hall was massive, with areas dedicated to both the Trading Card Game (TCG), Video Game Championships (VGC), Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite. The air was electric as competitors, ranging from kids to seasoned veterans, prepared for their matches. I had entered the TCG Masters Division and couldn’t wait to see how I would stack up against some of the best players in the world.
The early rounds were intense. I was nervous but managed to keep my cool through some tight games, pulling off a few victories. The camaraderie among competitors was incredible—there was a genuine sense of respect and community, even in the heat of competition. The most memorable match I played was against a skilled Japanese player who was calm and collected. We had an epic, back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw me losing in the final moments. Even though I didn’t win, it was the thrill of the battle that stuck with me.
Beyond the matches, i am a big believer of everything happens for a reason. The match that ended my tournament run ended around 2:45pm thats when i remembered that there was a lottery upstairs that ended at 3pm to get a chance to meet Tsunekazu Ishihara (President of the Pokémon Company) with minutes left to spare i went to join the line to try and get the chance to meet him. Only 50 spots were handed out and there was some type of game you had to play to get a spot, it was a turtle with a dome as its shell that had a dice inside, in order to get a spot you had to get the dice to hit a 6. I walk up knowing that this could be my only chance to play because there is minutes left till all the slots are taken, fingers crossed i give the turtle a pat on its shell and boom a 6 on the first try i lit up with excitement knowing how much of a chance it is to meet Ishihara and was a opportunity that i will forever cherish.
Kickin Cards meets president of Pokémon company Tsunekazu Ishihara
**The Pokémon Center and Activities**
The Pokémon Center pop-up shop was another highlight. I had to restrain myself from buying everything in sight—from exclusive Championship Pikachu plushies to limited edition card sleeves and pins. The shop was bustling, with fans lining up to snag some of the rarest merchandise that could only be found at the event. It was a mad house and if you didn’t get a time slot in the early days of the event then more than likely you went into a lack lustered Pokémon center unfortunately. As someone who’s first experience was this year i definitely recommend to get a time slot on the early days or you might not get what you came for. Some of the exclusive items that sold out at opening included the bear walker skateboard and ukuleles which everyone wanted but unfortunately even i couldn’t get. Some activities that i really enjoyed that Pokémon set up were the drone shows, something i have actually never experienced before and it was absolutely stunning with some of my favorite Pokemon being lit up in the sky like Psyduck, Mew, and Dragonite. If you have never watched a drone show before i highly recommend watching one. It was so astonishing that i went back the next day and watched it again. Another experience that i cant forget is the Trade Room! Walking in you are greeted by Pokémon staff and you our given a opportunity to walk around and trade with people all over the world. I did a trade through google translate with someone from Japan, got promo cards from Indonesia, and a exclusive Pikachu plush from Hong Kong. It made me so happy that we were all here for the same reason and all of us shared the same thing in common. A love for Pokémon.
Pokémon Drone Show photo courtesy of Kickin cards
**The Finals and Closing Ceremony**
As the weekend drew to a close, the anticipation for the finals was palpable. Watching the world’s top players face off was nothing short of spectacular. The strategies, the mind games, and the perfectly timed moves made for a nail-biting experience. The crowd roared as each move unfolded, and even though I wasn’t one of the competitors in the finals, I felt connected to the excitement.
The closing ceremony was a bittersweet moment. The grand stage lit up in all its glory, with the final match winners crowned as the champions of 2024. Special guest appearances by well-known figures in the Pokémon world, including some developers and voice actors, made it even more memorable. There were teasers of future Pokémon projects, and for a moment, the entire audience held its breath in anticipation of what’s next for the franchise.
This was the first year that Pokémon announced the Worlds championships for the next two years, both being in California for 2025 and 2026.
**Farewell to Honolulu**
As I boarded the plane back home, I reflected on the whirlwind experience. The 2024 Pokémon World Championship was more than just an event—it was a gathering of like-minded fans, a celebration of nostalgia, and a reminder of why we all fell in love with Pokémon in the first place. Honolulu’s breathtaking beauty only added to the magic, making this year’s championship one I’ll never forget and forever be grateful for the opportunity i was given.
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