Pokémon
Route 5: An Introduction to Regional and International Championships
You have made your mark in the local scene, now it’s time to travel to Regional and International Championships!
January 14, 2025
Looking back at Pokémon EUIC 2024
In two months, the Pokémon Europe International Championships (EUIC) are finally back – so, while waiting for EUIC 25, let’s have a look how it all went down at EUIC 24. Here’s everything we could fit into one article on what happened at Pokémon EUIC 2024.
Alex Kivitz
Alex Kivitz
The Pokémon Stadium
The 2024 Pokémon Europe International Championships was one of the largest European Pokémon events to date with over 10,000 attendees present. Whether you were a fan of the Pokémon TCG, the video games, Pokémon Unite, Pokémon Go, or even just a fan of Pokémon, this was an epic celebration of the Pokémon franchise celebrated with Trainers from around the world. EUIC found its home at ExCeL London earlier this year from April 5th to 7th.
The first thing I want you to do is throw out any preconception you may have of a classic tournament. EUIC 2024 should be thought of as a convention, a celebration of Pokémon. Entering the grand arena at ExCeL London, signs were all across the convention center pointing towards the main event. The wide open registration desk was open for badge and merchandise collection ready to kick off EUIC 24. Miraidon and Koraidon greeted new Trainers and welcomed them into the Pokémon Stadium.
The Activity Zone
After collecting all items, we walked through Route 1 which presented a beautiful photo opportunity featuring the start of any Trainers journey, and classic Pokémon themes accompanying participants on their way into the main event area. Immediately after, there were even more banners and backdrops to take pictures once again with your favorite Scarlet and Violet legendaries.
Just after the entrance, we had our Activity Zone with a large installment by Nintendo: Nintendo Switches for anyone to use. You could play your favourite Pokémon titles like Scarlet and Violet, Sword and Shield, and Legends Arceus!
If you wanted a more nostalgic experience, just to the right of the Nintendo station was a large park installation with green fields and a long line of Nintendo consoles. While waiting your turn to play Pokémon Stadium, there were even more Pokémon on display for photo opportunities. As a final attraction in the Activity Zone, we had several carnival game stands attracting attendees for a variety of different games. You could fish for Tatsugiri, throw rings around Skwovets (possibly practicing your Pokéball throwing accuracy?), and more.
Pokémon Yoga
What can absolutely not be missing at a Pokémon EUIC? You all know it, Pokémon Yoga! Countless of Trainers channeled their inner Darmanitan and switched to Zen Mode. We don’t have any proof but we would not be surprised if there was a statistically meaningful correlation between Pokémon Yoga attendance and high placements at one of the tournaments…
Of course, the Pokémon Yoga will be back in 2025 and we can’t way to have you all back for it.
The Pokémart
Just beyond the Activity Zone one, we had all the necessities any Trainer could want. Vendors were there to trade Pokémon cards of all varieties as Trainers gathered to finalize changes to their teams, getting the last Dragapult VSTAR for their deck, a shiny Mew for their collection, or maybe even a pristine Charizard to display at home.
One side note, just outside of the main event venue also held a special surprise: Official merchandise appeared at the EUIC Pokécenter. Event exclusive dice sets, tokens, and clothing were available for anyone to purchase. Pokémon Plushies waited to be picked up and brought home to loving families. Pokécenter Elite Trainer Boxes found only at premier Pokécenters were also available here.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
A highlight and popular photo spot was the Nintendo console and Pokémon game display. From Pokémon Yellow to Scarlet and Violet, everywone was gathering around the displays and got nostalgic with us – and with that nostalgia, of course, came the discussions. What was your favourite Pokémon edition? What was your favourite console – and why was it the GameBoy Advance? But I digress…
In any case, the timeline of consoles and Pokémon games was an absolute highlight attraction at EUIC 2024.
The Pokémon Coliseum
Right in the centre of the main event areas, you could not miss Pokémon’s iconic mascot: A larger than life Pikachu above the main play area watched over all the Trainer battles below. The first section as you walked towards the main stage was the TCG tournament area. Here, players battled it out with their Pokémon decks on their path to become the champion and judges walked the aisles as players declare their Pokémon’s attacks.
Just ahead of the TCG area was the Video Game arena. Docking stations for Trainers consoles were at each table and players utilised their in-game Pokémon teams to battle for supremacy. Months, maybe even years of hatching eggs, training Pokémon, and practice battles led many to this very event. Players brought their own specially selected and trained Pokémon team and battled in consecutive double battles. Crowds of fans gathered to cheer for their friends and favourite Pokémon.
Just across from the VG arena was the dedicated tournament area for Pokémon Unite. The most recent addition to the Pokémon competitive scene, we saw teams battle it out in the MOBA style Pokémon game. And finally, closest to the main stage, the Pokémon GO battles took place where Trainers would select their teams and battle one on one to emerge the champion.
The Mainstage
Finally, at the front end of the hall was the main tournament stage and seating area. Trophies were on display for all to see, and to inspire the competitors to become the very best and win it for themselves. Large screens broadcast the live games across the arena, and we spectators could watch fierce Pokémon battles across all the tournaments.
Victories were earned on stage, emotions were let out, and champions were crowned at the 2024 Pokémon Europe International Championships. This year’s EUIC was a smashing success and we’re excited to fill the halls of ExCeL London very soon again. We hope to see you all again soon in London for an even bigger EUIC, the 2025 Pokémon Europe International Championships.
More Pictures Than Entries in the Pokédex
We had an amazing time at EUIC 24. I am sure all of you took countless pictures – as did we! Have a look through some of them to get even more excited for EUIC 2025!
Read more Pokémon articles!
Pokémon
Looking back at the 2024 Pokémon EUIC
Pokémon EUIC 24 was one of the biggest European Pokémon event to date. Look back with us at this year’s EUIC!
December 18, 2024
Pokémon
Route 4: Preparing For Your First League Challenge/Cup
You made your first steps – now you are ready to participate in your first League Cup & Challenge!
December 11, 2024