In a little over a couple of week’s time, Pokémon fever will descend on Manchester as it plays host the Pokémon National Championships!

The event will play host to two contests: one for the trading card game and one for the video game on Nintendo 3DS/2DS. It’s free to enter, so if you’re in the area and fancy joining in, you’re more than welcome!

If you do well, then you could be in the running for prizes, including invites to the Pokémon World Championships in Boston, Massachusetts!

Last year's Nationals. Source - Kotaku

Last year’s Nationals. Source – Kotaku

Here’s the sketch: The championships will be held at the EventCity complex in Manchester on the weekend of May 30-31.

UK nationals can take part in the Trading Card Game tournament, whilst the video game competition is open to all. On the subject of the latter, the games involved are Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. If you want to take part, you’ll need a system to play it on (3DS/2DS) and a copy of the game.

There’s a little bonus in it for those who take part in the video game championships. The level 50 Pokémon Pachirisu will be gifted to all participants, and is legal for use in the 2015 tournament season! Here it is:

417pachirisu

Pachirisu is an electric-type Pokémon that helped see Se Jun Park of South Korea take the 2014 Pokémon World Championship title. Reckon you’ve got what it takes to lift the National Cup and eventually the World Cup?

If you fancy it, check out pokemon.com/play for details on how to sign-up.

GGS will be present at the championships to cover the event as it reaches its conclusion. Keep an eye out for yours truly and come say hi if you’ll be attending!