Currently, the “Pokémon Europe International Championships 2023” are taking place in London. But aside from the tournament, players are engaged in another battle in Pokémon GO: The fight for the most popular arena on the grounds.
What kind of event is this? Since Friday, April 14, 2023, the “EUIC” has been underway at ExCel London. Thousands of Pokémon fans and professionals are roaming the grounds. They are competing in matches all weekend in:
- Pokémon GO
- Unite
- Crimson & Purple
- as well as the trading card game.
At the official tournament, in side events, or simply when one feels like playing a round: Pokémon is being played in various forms all over the grounds. This also applies to Pokémon GO.
In line with the championship, several event arenas and stops can be found on the grounds. But one of these arenas has stood out all weekend – because just no one can hold the “Pokémon Play Lab – EUIC 2023”.
Big battle between Red, Yellow, Blue – No one can defend the arena
One can tell that practically everyone on the grounds is playing Pokémon GO. Basically, all arenas at the event are contested, and even the stops are constantly occupied by players with lure modules. Fully populated 20-player lobbies reliably take down virtually every raid here within seconds. Even the Community Day with Togetic saw players participating endlessly here.
If you are used to the “normal” day-to-day in Pokémon GO, where such full raid lobbies are rarely found, it is overwhelming. Unbelievably many active players are present here.
Particularly noticeable is the fierce competition for the arena “Pokémon Play Lab – EUIC 2023”. If you observe this arena a little more closely, you might mistake it for a traffic light, as it changes colors so frequently.
This special arena has hardly had a moment of peace for three days. Essentially, there is always a fight happening here, with the owner team switching every minute – Red, Yellow, and Blue are constantly battling for dominion over the arena.
Looking at the defense times of the Pokémon in the arenas, only small minute amounts can be found. Monsters hardly last in the arena for even double-digit minutes.
The longest I was able to observe was 35 minutes. At most, it gets a little quieter in the evening before the next battle erupts the following morning. No monster really stays long in the arena.
No one seems to be earning coins here. So why is everyone attacking this arena?
Why is everyone fighting here? The location of the arena is likely to blame, as the “Pokémon Play Lab – EUIC 2023” is not only slightly apart from the other arenas and the main area of the tournament but also directly adjacent to the “Pokémon Center”.
This is a special shop that has been set up on the grounds selling various Pokémon products. Anything from cards to plush toys, clothing, skateboards, replica Poké Balls, and tournament merchandise is sold here – and that attracts a lot of players.
So many, in fact, that people had to book times just to get in over the weekend. Nevertheless, long lines formed in front of the Center. Additionally, the “Pokémon Play Lab” is also situated here, where players can learn the trading card game, as well as some places to take breaks, eat, drink, and play.
For fans of the series, this combo is one of the interesting spots on the grounds.
But: You have to wait a long time. While standing in line, you can take a few photos with Pokémon on the side of the line, but otherwise, there is not much to do. Except, of course, to attack the arena in Pokémon GO.
And that’s why, quite incidentally, an additional fierce battle has developed on the grounds. Just that it actually has nothing to do with the tournament.
On this Sunday, the last day of the championship is underway. As of the time of this article, Team Wisdom holds the arena – for an impressive 9 minutes, but the HP of the monsters is already dwindling. Let’s see who comes out on top by the end of the event.
What else is happening in Pokémon GO? While a lot of players are finding themselves in London for the event to play and raid together, there are rarely comparable situations in everyday Pokémon GO. Many players therefore rely on remote raids, but those have recently become more expensive. Players have started a petition against the change that has now reached a new milestone.
