Where was the first Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championship held in 2004?

The first Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championship was held in Orlando, Florida, in 2004.

The event marked the beginning of the formal Pokémon World Championships tradition. More than 100 invited contestants from different countries competed at the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa, reflecting the international growth of the trading card game.

The first championship focused on the Pokémon Trading Card Game rather than the video games. Video game competitions became part of the broader World Championships structure in 2008, when Play! Pokémon began organizing a parallel competitive circuit.

The championships later expanded into a major annual event featuring multiple age divisions and competitive categories. Locations have included San Diego, Anaheim, Waikoloa Village, Vancouver, Washington, D.C., London and Yokohama. The 2004 Orlando event remains the starting point for that global tournament history.