The Central Texas Pokémon League Cup on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Great Hall Games brings official Play! Pokémon competition to Austin with Championship Points on the line for both Masters and Juniors/Seniors divisions. League Cups are a key step in the Play! Pokémon Championship Series calendar, and this event is one of the best-run stops in the Texas Circuit — clean judging, prompt rounds, and a friendly local scene.
The event is Standard format (the current rotation as of the May 2026 Championship season), Swiss rounds with a cut to Top 8, run through the RK9 Labs pairings system. Masters Division (born 2009 or earlier) typically plays six to seven rounds depending on turnout. Junior (2014–2017) and Senior (2010–2013) divisions play a shorter round count. Prize support is a mix of cash credit (for Masters) and booster packs for all finishers, with League Challenge / Cup promos for participating competitors in the younger divisions.
Schedule: registration opens at 9:00 AM, player meeting at 9:45 AM, Round 1 begins promptly at 10:00 AM. Day typically wraps between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM depending on attendance. Entry is $30 for Masters, $15 for Juniors/Seniors, paid at registration via the store's register (cash or card). You must have an active Play! Pokémon ID — walk-ups can be created on-site at the registration desk.
Great Hall Games is located at 5501 North Lamar Boulevard #C-101, right in central Austin and easy to reach from I-35, Mopac, and 183. Free parking is available in the shopping-center lot out front, with overflow along the frontage. The store is one-level, air-conditioned, and wheelchair accessible, with dedicated tournament tables, water, and a small concessions area. Nearby dining includes the Burnet Road strip of cafes and taquerias, easy to hit between rounds.
This event is the right fit for competitive Pokémon TCG players working toward Worlds qualification, local players seeking their first Championship Points, and spectators who want to watch high-level Standard play up close. Deck-testing groups often meet up the night before at Great Hall Games' free Friday night league — a useful rehearsal before Saturday's main event. Families with younger competitors are warmly welcomed; the Junior and Senior divisions are run on a separate side of the floor with head judge oversight.
Tips: bring your completed deck list printed and signed (RK9 accepts the standard format), playmat, dice, damage counters, and coin-flip substitute of your choice. Bring cash for food trucks and sleeves. Hydrate — the rounds are long and the store gets warm under tournament load. Follow Great Hall Games on Instagram and @centraltexaspokemon for pairings updates, deck-check announcements, and the post-event photo of the day's winner. Full tournament details and registration are posted to rk9.gg as the event approaches.