The road to becoming a Pokémon champion now runs through Columbus.

On Friday, June 30-Sunday, July 2, Columbus will be home to one of the biggest gaming events in the world: the 2023 Pokémon North America International Championships. The event is at the Greater Columbus Convention Center where nearly 1,000 competitors will be on hand playing for cash and other prizes.

Here are a few fast facts we think you need to know:

Competitors will play the Trading Card Game, the latest video game, and Pokémon GO.
Spectator tickets are still available, but selling fast.
Collectibles can be found throughout the weekend, including a rare downloadable Pokémon exclusive to this event.
The event will be live streamed on Twitch and YouTube all weekend.

Pick up plushies, cards, and rare in-game items at this three-day event. | Photo via Canva

This marks yet another achievement for Columbus as it continues to be a hub for gamers. So, let's plug into our trending gaming industry:

Multiplayer friendly

The city is becoming a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to gaming, and this adds fuel to the fire. Columbus can offer high tech arenas for local teams, such as the Belong Gaming Center, or host international tournaments like this one at the Columbus Convention Center.

Gaming as a gig

It's possible to make a career through video games, and Columbus has pathways to help aspiring e-athletes do so. The Ohio State University offers multiple e-sport teams, and the Columbus Crew has an eMLS club. Plus, Esports Engine is a local business that helps gamers get started with their streaming careers, or find a job within the industry.

Downloading updates

Glytch, a 2,000-seat gaming arena, is planned for Columbus in the future. A construction date hasn't been disclosed, but once its built, it will be the largest e-sports venue in the state at 100,000 sqft.