Pokémon Play Lab
Love Pokémon but new to battling? Get your feet wet with this fun, beginner-friendly experience that anyone can try!
What Is Play Lab?
Play Lab offers fun experiences for all types of Pokémon fans! You can often find Play Lab at major conventions and larger Pokémon tournaments with key experiences that may include the Pokémon TCG, the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, and Pokémon UNITE.
Who Is Play Lab For?
Play Lab welcomes Trainers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’re a new fan getting into your first battles or a lifetime Trainer expanding your knowledge, there’s plenty of fun to be had!
Why Attend Play Lab?
Play Lab is the perfect way to a sprinkle a bit of Pokémon into your day at a convention, and a beginner-friendly way to get into the action at a larger Pokémon tournament. No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, there’s something for everyone of all skill levels. You might even go home with a small surprise or two!
Where Can I Find Play Lab?
You can find Play Lab at major conventions and larger Pokémon tournaments. See below for a tentative list of events currently set to host Play Lab experiences.
June 13–15, 2025
New Orleans, United States of America
Pokémon North America International Championships
August 15–17, 2025
Anaheim, United States of America
Pokémon World Championships
Check back for additional Play Lab experiences as they are announced.
We’re excited to see you at Play Lab! Please note that due to a variety of factors, not all games may be available at each Play Lab experience.
Pokémon TCG Discover Lab
No one became a Pokémon TCG master in a single day of play, but there’s no better way to start on that path than with this fun, three-stage demo exercising Pokémon TCG fundamentals.
Poké Catch
Poké Catch is a fun new way to play with your favorite Pokémon TCG cards by catching Pokémon. It is a basic teaching tool designed to introduce players to Pokémon and Energy types.
Catch & Attack
After catching Pokémon in Poké Catch, players will battle and learn gameplay mechanics to get started in their Trainer journey!
30-Card Demo Deck Battle
This battle showcases a simplified Pokémon TCG experience with half-sized decks. This battle also introduces Abilities, Pokémon V, and more complex game actions.
Pokémon TCG Live Demo
Looking to skip ahead and give a digital experience of the Pokémon TCG a try? You can demo Pokémon Trading Card Game Live with a guided mode using an Umbreon V deck, or you can make choices of your own using one of three 30-Card Demo Decks.
Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet
If you’re completely new to the Pokémon video game series, you can give Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet a try and learn the basics! If you’re a more seasoned player who’s completed a few journeys, there will be Professors on-site ready to challenge you to a battle.
Pokémon UNITE
Are co-op games more your style? You can learn the ins and outs of battling on Aeos Island if you’re trying Pokémon UNITE for the first time. If you’ve seen a few Unite Battles in your day, there will be opportunities for a more challenging experience as well.
