Since launching in October 2024, Pokemon TCG Pocket has quietly turned into one of the franchise’s biggest mobile successes. The streamlined digital card game has attracted a huge global audience, with ranked PvP, deep deck-building, and regular updates keeping players logging in daily.
Because of that, it didn’t take long for the inevitable question to surface: could Pocket become the next official Pokémon esport?
The game already supports competitive play, and with The Pokemon Company running structured circuits across multiple titles, some fans have wondered whether Pocket might eventually sit alongside the established formats on the international stage.
For now, that door is staying closed.
TCG Pocket Will Stay A Side Event
At the Pokemon Europe International Championships, Chris Brown, director of global esports and events at The Pokemon Company, made it clear the mobile title is not being lined up for promotion to the main competitive schedule.
Speaking to Insider Gaming at the event, Brown said the current setup around Pocket “feels great” internally, particularly the way it operates at live shows.
“With Pocket, what feels great for us right now is the Side Events, a casual way for people to meet up,” Brown said.
“We are talking through things like how we can encourage trading, we want to support the Pocket community at the shows, but there are no plans for it to be a main title.”
Competitive Focus Remains Elsewhere
The Pokemon Company’s official circuit currently centres around four pillars: the physical Pokemon Trading Card Game, Pokemon Go, Pokemon Unite, and the Video Game Championships (VGC).
VGC is currently played on Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, though it will transition to Pokémon Champions for the World Championships in San Francisco. A release date for Pokemon Champions has yet to be announced.