Mon Aug 18 09:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Anaheim Gears Up for Pokémon World Championships 2025
**Anaheim, CA –** The Pokémon World Championships are returning to Anaheim from August 15-17, 2025, promising a thrilling showdown as elite players from around the globe vie for the coveted title of World Champion. Experts predict a dynamic metagame with powerful core strategies and surprising underdog picks.
A panel of Pokémon authorities, including Lou Akcoş-Cromie, Aaron Traylor, Joe Ugarte, and Chris Shepperd, discussed the teams and players to watch. Shadow Rider Calyrex and Zamazenta remain a dominant core, often partnered with the versatile Smeargle. Smeargle’s ability to provide support through moves like Fake Out, Follow Me, Spore, and even Decorate, creates complex strategic options for players. Ice Rider Calyrex and Miraidon are also expected to be popular.
The experts also highlighted potential dark horse combinations, including Terapagos and Shadow Rider Calyrex/Miraidon. They emphasized the impact of recent tournaments, such as the North America International Championships (NAIC), but noted that the meta is still evolving.
Several players, including European contenders Luca Ceribelli, Federico Camporesi, and Marco Silva, along with Japan’s Shohei Kimura and Yuma Kinugawa, were singled out as strong contenders.
Tune in to Twitch.tv/Pokemon from August 15-17 to witness the intense battles and unexpected strategies unfold at the Pokémon World Championships 2025!
First Piper 