The first Pokémon World Championships were held in 2004.
The inaugural event took place in Honolulu, Hawaii, and focused on the Pokémon Trading Card Game. It marked the transition from separate national and regional competitions to a worldwide championship gathering top players from multiple countries.
The video game competition became a major part of the World Championships later. Early events were centered on the trading card game, while official video game tournaments expanded the championship program and eventually added other competitive Pokémon formats.
The World Championships are distinct from the in-game Pokémon League and from ordinary local tournaments. Competitors qualify through organized-play systems, earn championship points or invitations, and then compete under official rules. The event has since become an annual international celebration of competitive Pokémon, making the 2004 Honolulu tournament a key milestone in the franchise’s history.