Newer Professors and store staff often are unsure what Pokémon League is – and definitions have changed for the 2025-2026 season, adding to the confusion! Pokémon League is an overarching brand for activities that take place at Play! Pokémon Stores. There are two main types of activities that can be scheduled: Play! Sessions and tournaments.
While Pokémon has some great resources to explain everything works, such as the Play! Pokémon Store Handbook, some of the most commonly asked questions are below.
What is a Play! Session?
Play! Sessions, formerly Pokémon League sessions, are times dedicated to casual Pokémon activities. These activities can vary depending on League, but can include casual play/trade, learn-to-play sessions, watch parties, etc. – basically anything that isn’t a sanctioned tournament!
Do I run tournaments during Play! Sessions?
While tournaments can definitely take place alongside Play! Sessions, there is no requirement to run tournaments – indeed, Pokémon’s description for Leagues describes them as “a great way to learn game basics and get the feel for Pokémon competitive play before beginning to compete in Pokémon tournaments”. Any tournaments you sanction via Play! Tools under your store’s Activity Group (see our Organizer Guide) are automatically added to your store’s player report for the month, so if you’re running a tournament alongside a Play! Session and a player only plays in the tournament, they should NOT be added to your Play! Session report (this is changed guidance for the 2025-2026 season!). Similarly, if you are not planning to host casual activities alongside the tournament, a Play! Session should not be scheduled.
What isn’t a Play! Session?
While tournaments like Prereleases, League Challenges, and League Cups are linked to Play! Pokémon Stores, and may take place alongside a Play! Session, these do NOT count as Pokémon League activities for reporting purposes. Pokémon takes this very seriously – from section 1.5 of the Play! Pokémon League Challenges, Cups, and Prerelease Guide:
Reporting players from Prereleases, League Challenges, and League Cups on your League roster when those players did not participate in any League sessions is considered inaccurate League reporting, which can lead to action being taken on your League, including removal of eligibility for events or removal from the Play! Pokémon program.
Is there an entry fee for Play! Sessions and/or tournaments?
In short, it’s up to each Play! Pokémon Store. In general, most Play! Pokémon Stores do not charge for Play! Sessions that are open play, but most Play! Pokémon Stores do charge an entry fee for tournaments. As stated in section 5.1.1 of the Play! Pokémon Store Handbook:
Play! Pokémon Store Owners may charge a fee to participate in Play! Sessions and tournaments.
Play! Pokémon makes no recommendation regarding entry fees beyond the stipulation that Play! Pokémon Store Owners must follow all local legal requirements that may apply when deciding if, how, and what to charge.