The Pokémon Card Game tournament Champions League 2027 Chiba takes place in November 2026. Spectators can get in free, but only players who pre-registered can compete. Below are the dates, hours and entry rules from the official announcement.
When and where is Champions League 2027 Chiba, and who can get in?
Champions League 2027 Chiba runs on Sunday, November 22 and Monday, November 23, 2026. November 23 is a Japanese national holiday. The event is in Exhibition Halls 4, 5 and 6 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba . Spectators get in free with no advance lottery. Players can enter only through pre-registration, according to the official Pokémon Card Game event page.
Quick Answer: Champions League 2027 Chiba takes place Nov 22–23, 2026 at Makuhari Messe Halls 4–6. Doors are open 7:30–21:00 both days, and entry reception closes around 18:00. Watching is free and needs no lottery. Playing requires pre-registration, and there is no same-day entry .
Both days follow the same schedule. The official page lists the times as planned and subject to change .
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Sun Nov 22 and Mon Nov 23 (holiday), 2026 |
| Venue | Makuhari Messe, Exhibition Halls 4, 5, 6 (Chiba) |
| Opening hours | 7:30–21:00 both days (planned) |
| Entry reception closes | Around 18:00 (planned) |
| Spectator admission | Free, no advance lottery |
| Player entry | Pre-registration only, no same-day entry |
- Spectators: Admission is free, and you do not need to apply in advance.
- Players: You must register in advance. Same-day entry is not accepted.
- Announcement: The official news page went up on October 9, 2026, the same day pre-registration opened . The tournament overview page has the registration details.
Everyone is screened at the entrance, and anyone who leaves and comes back goes through screening again. Plan to arrive before the 18:00 reception cutoff .
📍 View on Google Maps
Why can anyone watch for free, but not just anyone play?
Watching and playing at Champions League 2027 Chiba work in different ways. Spectators get in free and do not need to enter a lottery . Players must apply in advance and win a place through a lottery. There is no same-day entry (source: Pokémon Card Game official event page, 2026-10).
For visitors, general admission works like an open exhibition. You do not need a ticket or a draw before the event. Entry is still subject to the entrance screening and the 18:00 reception cutoff set out on the official page.
Players have stricter rules. The official event page states:
"事前申込制です。当日参加はございません。" ("Entry is by advance application only. There is no same-day participation.") — The Pokémon Company, Pokémon Card Game official site (source: Champions League 2027 Chiba news page)
Applications opened on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 14:00 JST and close on Friday, October 16, 2026 at 17:00 JST . On October 13, the date of this article, the window is still open. It closes three days later, and late entries are not accepted.
Lottery results will be announced on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 14:00 JST . Applying does not guarantee a seat. Only players picked in the lottery can compete.
| Step | Date and time (JST) | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Applications open | Fri, Oct 9, 2026, 14:00 | Players |
| Applications close | Fri, Oct 16, 2026, 17:00 | Players |
| Lottery results | Fri, Oct 23, 2026, 14:00 | Players |
| Event days | Sun, Nov 22 – Mon, Nov 23, 2026 | Players and spectators |
| Spectator entry | Free, no lottery | Spectators |
Neither page gives two details:
- Entry fee: neither the Chiba event page nor the tournament overview page lists a player entry fee.
- Prizes: neither page lists prize details for this event.
Until the official pages publish these details, check the tournament overview page directly. Season-level rewards are listed separately and are covered later in this article.
Which leagues run in Chiba, and how many players fit?
Champions League 2027 Chiba runs three age divisions: the Master, Senior and Junior Leagues. The Master League can take 8,000 players. The Senior and Junior Leagues can each take 1,000 players per day. These limits come from the official tournament overview page . Your date of birth decides your division, so check it before you apply.
According to the Pokémon Card Game tournament overview (October 2026), the cut-off dates are:
| League | Eligible birth dates | Capacity | Tournament structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master League | On or before April 1, 2009 | 8,000 | One tournament over both days (Nov 22–23) |
| Senior League | April 2, 2009 – April 1, 2015 | 1,000 per day | Separate one-day tournaments on Nov 22 and Nov 23 |
| Junior League | On or after April 2, 2015 | 1,000 per day | Separate one-day tournaments on Nov 22 and Nov 23 |
The Master League is one event spread over two days. The Senior and Junior Leagues work differently. Each holds a separate, complete one-day tournament on Sunday, November 22, and again on Monday, November 23, 2026 . That means the Senior and Junior capacities apply to each day's tournament separately.
- Master League: 8,000 places in a single two-day tournament.
- Senior League: 1,000 places on each day. Two one-day tournaments add up to 2,000 places.
- Junior League: 1,000 places on each day. Two one-day tournaments add up to 2,000 places.
The two-day totals above are simple arithmetic from the per-day limits. The official page does not give a combined player count for the event. It also does not say whether a Senior or Junior player can apply for both days. Players in those divisions should read the application terms on the tournament overview page before choosing a day.
The rules about deck language and identity checks are the same in every division. The Chiba event page does add one rule by age: Senior and Master League players must show photo ID at check-in. Junior League players do not .
What is the schedule and format for each day?
The Master League plays over both days. The preliminary is on November 22 and the finals are on November 23. The Senior and Junior Leagues each hold a separate one-day tournament on both days. Each of those tournaments has its preliminaries and finals on the same day . Every division plays Swiss-system preliminaries followed by single-elimination finals, according to the official tournament overview.
The Master League times are listed below. All of them are approximate, and the organizer may change them :
- Sunday, November 22 (preliminary): about 8:00–21:00
- Monday, November 23 (finals, Main Round ①): about 9:10–14:45
- Monday, November 23 (finals, Main Round ②): about 15:00–20:00
Master League players should plan for a full day on November 22. The preliminary is scheduled to run until about 21:00. On November 23, the finals are split into two blocks, with a short gap between Main Round ① and Main Round ② .
The Senior and Junior League tournaments follow the same timetable on each day :
- Check-in: 7:30–8:30
- Preliminaries: about 8:45–16:00
- Finals: about 16:10–20:45
The Senior and Junior check-in window opens at 7:30. That is also when the venue opens on both days . Junior and Senior players who come in the morning have a one-hour check-in window. They should arrive before it closes at 8:30.
The Master League also pairs its Swiss rounds in a different way. It uses a "real-time Swiss draw" (リアルタイムスイスドロー形式), and pairings are handled through players' smartphones . For that reason, Master League players need a LINE account and the "Sekanavi" (セカナビ) app, as stated on the Champions League 2027 Chiba event page . Neither official page gives the number of Swiss rounds or the size of the finals bracket for any division. Players should check the official pages for updates before the event.
What do players need to bring and what are the entry rules?
Players at Champions League 2027 Chiba need a legal 60-card Standard deck made only of Japanese-language cards. Senior and Master League players also need photo ID. Master League players must bring a smartphone set up with LINE and the Sekanavi app. Everyone, including spectators, goes through a bag check at the entrance (source: Pokémon Card Game official event page, 2026-10).
The deck rules are on the official tournament overview. Matches use the Standard regulation with 60-card decks and 6 Prize cards . Only Japanese-language cards that meet the regulation are allowed. Players who own English or other foreign-language prints cannot use those copies at this event .
Here is what each player should check before travelling:
- Deck: 60 cards, 6 Prize cards, Standard regulation, Japanese-language cards only .
- Smartphone (Master League): a phone with a LINE account and the Sekanavi (セカナビ) app installed, because the division uses real-time Swiss pairings .
- Photo ID (Senior and Master Leagues): identity checks apply to both divisions .
- Lottery win: entry is by advance application only, and there is no same-day registration .
The Chiba event page lists the security rules at Makuhari Messe. Bags are inspected at the entrance. Weapons, sharp objects, hazardous materials and alcohol are banned . Anyone who leaves the hall and comes back is screened again. Visitors who use medical devices can ask for a different screening method .
The same page also mentions side events and a live stream of the tournament . It does not yet give side-event formats, fees or the stream schedule. The tournament overview also does not list an entry fee for the main event (source: Tournament overview, 2026-10). Players should check both pages again closer to November 22 for updates.
Where does Chiba sit in the 2027 Championship Series?
Chiba is the second of five Champions League events in the Pokémon TCG 2027 Championship Series season. The season started in September 2026 . It follows the Yokohama event and comes about three months before the next stop, in Miyagi (source: Pokémon Card Game official schedule announcement, 2026-08).
The Champions League 2027 calendar was published in an official schedule announcement on August 7, 2026 . The official 2027 season page lists the same five stops.
| Event | Dates | Venue | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions League 2027 Yokohama | Sept 20–22, 2026 | Pacifico Yokohama | Season opener (already held) |
| Champions League 2027 Chiba | Nov 22–23, 2026 | Makuhari Messe | Second event |
| Champions League 2027 Miyagi | Feb 12–14, 2027 | Yume Messe Miyagi | Third event |
| Champions League 2027 Osaka | Apr 2–4, 2027 | Intex Osaka | Fourth event |
| Champions League 2027 Aichi | May 7–9, 2027 | Aichi Sky Expo | Final event; adds an Open league |
The dates and venues in the table come from the season page and the August schedule announcement .
Some points for players planning their season:
- Chiba is a two-day event. The other four stops are listed over three days .
- Only Aichi adds an Open league. The schedule does not list an Open league for Chiba .
- Each event earns Championship Points. The season page tells players to earn Championship Points toward the Pokémon World Championships 2027 and says more details will follow .
The pages reviewed for this article do not say how many Championship Points each placing earns at Chiba. They also do not give the location or dates of WCS 2027. Players following the qualification path should check the official Championship Series portal. It will carry point tables and any changes made during the season.
What do top finishers win, and what is still unconfirmed?
Under the season schedule announced on August 7, 2026, the top 4 players in each league at Champions League 2027 events receive an invitation to the Pokémon World Championships 2027. They also get priority entry to Champions League 2028 events (source: Pokémon Card Game official, 2026-08). The same rule covers the Master, Senior and Junior Leagues in Chiba.
The official Championship Series portal describes the path more broadly. It says top finishers across the series can qualify for the Japan Championships and the World Championships . Neither the Chiba event page nor the tournament overview lists an entry fee or a prize breakdown for this event.
Some points could not be confirmed from the official pages reviewed for this article:
- Possible change to qualification terms (unverified): A search-engine summary said The Pokémon Company announced a change on September 18, 2026 to the WCS 2027 qualification conditions for Champions League 2027 events. We did not read that announcement directly, so the August rule above may no longer be the final version.
- Exact Chiba rewards: The pages reviewed do not set out the Chiba-specific invitation terms or prize details.
- WCS 2027 location and dates: These do not appear on any of the pages reviewed.
If you plan to compete, read the WCS terms on the Championship Series portal before the application window closes on October 16, 2026 at 17:00 (source: tournament overview, 2026-10). Lottery results are due on October 23. Spectators don't need to do anything in advance, because entry to Makuhari Messe on November 22–23 is free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it free to watch Champions League 2027 Chiba?
Yes. Spectators get in free and don't need to enter a lottery beforehand. The event runs at Makuhari Messe, Exhibition Halls 4, 5 and 6, in Chiba. Doors are scheduled from 7:30 to 21:00 on Sunday, November 22 and Monday, November 23, 2026. Entry reception is planned to close around 18:00 (source: Pokémon Card Game official event page, 2026-10).
Can I still enter as a player?
Only if you applied in advance. Champions League 2027 Chiba has no same-day entry. Applications were open from Friday, October 9, 2026 at 14:00 to Friday, October 16, 2026 at 17:00 (Japan time), so the window closed before you could apply now. Lottery results will be announced on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 14:00 (source: official tournament overview, 2026-10).
Can I use English-language cards?
No. You can only use Japanese-language cards that are legal under the Standard regulation. Decks must have 60 cards, and games use 6 Prize cards (source: official tournament overview, 2026-10).
What do Master League players need on the day?
Master League players need a smartphone with a LINE account and the Sekanavi (セカナビ) app, because the division uses a real-time Swiss draw. They must also bring photo ID, since Senior and Master League players go through identity checks. Bags are inspected at the entrance, and weapons, sharp objects, hazardous materials and alcohol are banned (source: official event page, 2026-10).
Where is the next Champions League after Chiba?
The next stop is Miyagi, from February 12 to 14, 2027, at Yume Messe Miyagi. It is the third of five Champions League events in the 2027 season. Osaka follows on April 2–4, 2027, at Intex Osaka, and Aichi closes the season on May 7–9, 2027, at Aichi Sky Expo (source: official schedule announcement, 2026-08; see also the 2027 season page).
SnapHolo prices for the cards and sets in this article
| Card | Edition | Rarity | SnapHolo price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mew R | English | RGB Rare | $6,000.27 |
| Mew B | English | RGB Rare | $3,746.75 |
| Mew G | English | RGB Rare | $3,738.75 |
| Mew ex 152 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $89.90 |
| Gengar ex 154 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $75.35 |
| Pikachu ex 150 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $58.32 |
| Mew ex 158 | English | Futuristic Rare | $52.32 |
| Mewtwo ex 151 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $50.27 |
| Pikachu ex 149 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $47.47 |
| Jirachi ex 155 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $43.46 |
| Sylveon ex 153 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $42.79 |
| Mewtwo ex 157 | English | Futuristic Rare | $41.44 |
| Greninja ex 148 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $21.12 |
| Salamence ex 156 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $15.71 |
| Fuecoco ex 147 | English | Special Illustration Rare | $14.97 |
| Maushold 146 | English | Illustration Rare | $10.53 |
| Meowth 144 | English | Illustration Rare | $9.92 |
| Galarian Meowth 141 | English | Illustration Rare | $7.15 |
| Alolan Meowth 139 | English | Illustration Rare | $6.68 |
| Zapdos 133 | English | Illustration Rare | $6.57 |
| Moltres 130 | English | Illustration Rare | $6.00 |
| Articuno 132 | English | Illustration Rare | $5.85 |
| Lapras 131 | English | Illustration Rare | $5.74 |
| Morpeko 135 | English | Illustration Rare | $5.21 |
| Hisuian Zorua 145 | English | Illustration Rare | $4.78 |
| Mew ex 66 | English | Double Rare | $3.07 |
| Toxtricity 134 | English | Illustration Rare | $2.63 |
| Pikachu 40 | English | Pikachu Rare | $2.48 |
| Drifloon 136 | English | Illustration Rare | $2.47 |
| Alolan Exeggutor 129 | English | Illustration Rare | $2.24 |
Ungraded card prices as of 2026-10-18 (KST).
Sources: Chiba event page · tournament overview page · View on Google Maps · Pokémon Card Game official, 2026-08 · 2027 season page · Championship Series portal
