Championship Points and Qualifying

In Pokémon GO's competitive circuit, "CP" often has nothing to do with Combat Power. On the tournament side it usually means Championship Points: the season-long score used to decide most invitations to the World Championships. This page explains how qualifying works, what to check in each season's rules and how to plan a season sensibly.

Qualification rules are set anew each season: point values, which events count, how invites are decided and the deadlines can all change. Treat this page as a map and the season's official rules as the only source for the numbers.

Two different kinds of CP

Question	Combat Power	Championship Points
What it measures	How strong one Pokémon is	How well a player has done across a season of events
Where you see it	Next to every Pokémon in the game	Typically in your official organized-play account and in published standings
What it is used for	League caps, such as Great League's 1,500 limit	Invitations to the World Championships
Does it reset?	No; it changes as you power up or evolve a Pokémon	Generally yes; totals reset each season (check the rules for any carry-over)

Our Pokémon GO glossary covers Combat Power and other game terms, and the Trainer Hub homepage leads to our wider guides.

How a qualifying season works

The season opens. Its rules are published, including which events award points and the dates covered.
You play sanctioned events. A good finish at a points-awarding event adds to your total, and deeper runs earn more.
Bigger events are worth more. Larger, harder tiers have typically paid more points, so one strong run at a big event can move a player a long way.
Totals are compared with a cut-off. Depending on the season, invites have gone to players in each region who reach a set points total or finish within a set number of places in the standings by the cut-off date.
Invites are confirmed. Qualified players are told how to accept, and there is usually a deadline.

Where the points come from

Event tier	Role in qualifying (general pattern)
Local and community competitive events	Practice and a feel for tournament conditions; check the season's rules for whether any points are on offer.
Regional Championships	For many players the core of a season's total, since they are more numerous and usually easier to reach.
International Championships	Fewer, larger events with stronger fields; a deep run has typically been worth much more than a similar Regional finish.
World Championships	The invitation the whole season builds towards; our World Championships FAQ covers the event itself.

Our Regional Championships FAQ describes what Regionals are like to attend.

Seven questions to answer from the rules

Which events award points this season, and how many for each finishing position?
Does every result count, or only your best few at each tier?
Which qualification region are you in, and is its cut-off a points total or a place in the standings?
When is the cut-off date, and when does the next season begin?
Is there any travel support for top finishers, and how is it awarded?
Which player account or ID do you need, and must its name match your registration?
Is there another route to an invite, such as a separate qualifier event?

Why finishing position matters so much

Points are paid by placing, which is decided by record and then tiebreakers. Two players on the same record can finish several places apart because of who they played, so learn how Swiss standings and tiebreakers work. Also check how far down the standings points are paid: if they reach below the top cut, winning your last Swiss rounds counts even when the cut is out of reach.

Planning a realistic season

List the events you could realistically reach, with an honest estimate of the cost and time each takes. Qualifying has relied heavily on in-person events, so chasing an invite usually means some travel. Commit to the events that matter most rather than booking everything and burning out mid-season.

For each event, note your placing, the points earned, your running total and what you lost to. Then compare your total with your region's target or the current cut-off position in the standings. By mid-season, judge honestly whether the rest of the target is realistic. If it isn't, the remaining events are still worth playing for experience, but don't overspend chasing an invite that is out of reach.

How much consistency pays depends on the rules. If every result counts, several solid finishes add up. If only your best few at each tier count, extra mid-table finishes stop helping once those slots are full, and one deep run at a bigger event can matter more. Either way, preparation is ordinary: know the format, practise with a fixed team before registering it, and arrive rested.

Mistakes that cost points

Registering with a player ID or name that doesn't match your account. Check your total after each event and raise any gap promptly with the organized-play program's player support.
Assuming last season's invite rules or points table still apply.
Assuming every event uses the same battle format. Read each event's rules.
Changing a registered Pokémon in the game after submitting your team list (a new move, a power-up, a different individual), so it no longer matches your registration. Check the event's rules for what must match.

Ladder rank and the new season

Does my GO Battle League rank count?

Ladder rank and Championship Points are separate systems. Whether the ladder plays any part in qualification is set in each season's rules, so don't assume either way.

What happens to my points when the season ends?

Totals generally start again from zero. The changeover date is set in the rules and can fall before the World Championships, so an event played after the cut-off may count towards next season. Old results stay on your record; check the new season's rules for any carry-over.