The 2027 Louisville Pokémon Regional Championships take over Halls A through E of the Kentucky International Convention Center from Friday, October 9 through Sunday, October 11, 2026 — the largest officially sanctioned Pokémon competition Kentucky will host all season. Despite the 2027 name, which refers to the Championship Series season rather than the calendar year, this is very much an October 2026 event, and it is the single biggest weekend on the state's trading card game calendar. Thousands of competitors and spectators descend on downtown Louisville, and the surrounding blocks take on a genuine convention atmosphere.
A Regional Championship is a different animal from a card show. The core of the weekend is high-level sanctioned competition across the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Video Game Championships and Pokémon GO, with Championship Points, prize money and Day Two invitations on the line. Players compete in Junior, Senior and Masters age divisions across Swiss rounds leading into a Day Two cut and a top-cut playoff bracket. For competitive players this is a serious commitment; for everyone else, it is one of the best spectating experiences in the hobby, with feature matches, commentary and a floor full of the strongest players in the region.
Around the competition sits a substantial vendor hall. Expect dozens of dealers selling Pokémon singles and sealed product across the game's full history — WOTC-era Base Set, Jungle, Fossil and Team Rocket, Neo and e-Card series, EX through XY, Sun and Moon, Sword and Shield, and current Scarlet and Violet standard-legal staples, plus a heavy Japanese import presence. Graded cases carry PSA, BGS and CGC slabs from budget playables to grail-tier vintage, and on-site grading submission is commonly available. Vendors also stock playmats, sleeves, deck boxes, binders, dice, plush and figures. Artist alley guests, side events, League Challenges and casual trading areas typically run alongside the main tournament, and side events are usually open to anyone who did not make the cut.
Hours run across three days. Friday, October 9 is registration, packet pickup and side events. Saturday, October 10 is the main event Day One with Swiss rounds starting early — competitors should plan on a full day from roughly 8:00 AM into the evening. Sunday, October 11 is Day Two and the top-cut finals, typically wrapping mid to late afternoon. Confirm exact call times and round schedules on the RK9 event page, which is the official tournament platform.
Competitor registration is handled through RK9 and opened on August 12, 2026; these events sell out, so early registration is essential. Spectator access to the venue is typically free, though the vendor hall and side events may have their own arrangements. Check championships.pokemon.com and the RK9 listing for current pricing, age-division rules and deck-list requirements.
The Kentucky International Convention Center is at 221 South 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202, in the heart of downtown. It is fully ADA-accessible and climate-controlled, with attached and nearby garage parking (paid) and numerous hotels, restaurants and the Whiskey Row and Fourth Street Live districts within walking distance.
Bring your deck, deck list, photo ID, a portable charger, water and comfortable shoes. Spectators should bring cash and a want list for the vendor hall, and arrive early on Saturday when the floor is busiest.
