The first Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships took place in 2004.
The inaugural event was held in Orlando, Florida, in the United States. It brought together invited competitors from multiple countries and established the international championship tradition that continues in the modern Pokémon competitive scene.
The tournament focused on the Pokémon TCG rather than the main video games. Video Game Championships were added to the broader Pokémon World Championships structure later, after organized video-game competition expanded in the late 2000s.
Competitive Pokémon events are divided into age divisions, traditionally including Junior, Senior, and Masters categories. Players qualify through sanctioned tournaments and regional competitions, although qualification systems have changed over time. The 2004 championship is therefore an important milestone in the TCG's development from a collectible card game into an organized international sport.