View source for ONOG Pokémon Invitational to be held this weekend

{{Article|
type=news |
picture=ONOGInvitational.png |
caption=ONOG Pokémon Invitational logo |
weekday=Friday |
day=24 |
month=2 |
year=2017 |
time=10:02:57 |
discusstype=none |
discusslink= |
sourcetype=pressrelease |
sourcename=One Nation of Gamers |
sourcelink=http://pokemon.onog.gg/ |
user=Archaic |
userlink=User:Archaic |
tagline=Presented by GEICO Gaming |
blurb=One Nation of Gamers, in collaboration with GEICO Gaming, are inviting Pokémon fans to tune in to the ONOG Pokémon Invitational this weekend, streaming live on Twitch and Youtube. The tournament will bring together some of the most celebrated competitive Pokémon video game players in the world. }}
{{CategorizeIn|Events|2|17}}

[[File:ONOGInvitational.png|thumb|ONOG Pokémon Invitational logo]]
One Nation of Gamers, in collaboration with GEICO Gaming, are inviting Pokémon fans to tune in to the ONOG Pokémon Invitational this weekend, streaming live on Twitch and Youtube. The tournament will bring together some of the most celebrated competitive Pokémon video game players in the world. 

==Tournament Format==
The ONOG Pokémon Invitational will follow the official VGC 2017 format rules, with players battling using the 2017 World Championship Series rules downloaded via the Festival Plaza in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Matchs will be played without time limits, and players will use the same team throughout the tournament.

The Group stage will be streamed starting 5pm EST on February 25th. The eight invited players will be split into four person groups, where they'll play best of three matches in a double elimination bracket format. The top two players of each group will advance to the single elimination stage. If a player loses two matches in the group stage, they are eliminated from the tournament.

The Playoff stage will start 5pm EST the following day. In this stage, players will compete in best of five matches in a single elimination format. The first place finisher of group A will play the second place finisher of group B in the semi-finals and vice versa. There will not be a third place match.

==The Competitors==
Between them, the field of players holds three World Championship titles, eleven National Championship titles, and an innumerable number of Regional titles. The following is an incomplete list of some of their most notable achievements.
===Markus "Yoshi" Stadter===
2016 World Championships 3rd; 
2015 UK Nationals 1st;  
2014 German Nationals 1st; 
2012 French Nationals 2nd; 
2017 Dreamhack Leipzig Regionals 1st; 
2016 Stockholm Regionals 1st 
===Sejun Park===
2014 World Championships 1st; 
2013 World Championships 5th; 
2012 World Championships 5th; 
2011 World Championships (Senior) 2nd; 
2014 Korean Nationals 1st; 
2013 Korean Nationals 1st; 
2011 Korean Nationals 1st
===Alex Ogloza===
2010 World Championships 13th;  
2014 US Nationals 1st; 
2014 Oregon Regionals 2nd; 
2012 San Jose Regionals 3rd
===Wolfe "Wolfey" Glick===
2016 World Championships 1st; 
2015 World Championships 12th; 
2014 World Championships 9th; 
2012 World Championships 2nd; 
2011 World Championships 6th; 
2012 US Nationals 1st; 
2011 US Nationals 1st; 
5 Time Regional Champion (‘11, ‘15, ‘15, ‘16, ‘16); 
2 Time Regional 2nd Place (‘12, ‘15)
===Dan "aDrive" Clap===
GBA S5 1st; 
GBA S4 2nd; 
UCL LC 2nd; 
UCL S1 2nd 
===Enosh "Human" Shachar===
2014 World Championships 12th; 
2013 World Championships 8th; 
2011 World Championships (Senior) 4th; 
2013 US Nationals 2nd; 
2016 San Jose Regionals 2nd; 
2016 Massachusetts Regionals 2nd; 
2014 Virginia Regionals 2nd; 
2014 Philadelphia Regionals Top 4; 
2013 Socal Regionals Top 4; 
2013 Philadelphia Regionals Top 4; 
2012 Philadelphia Regionals Top 4; 
===Aaron "Cybertron" Zheng===
2013 World Championships Top 4;
2012 World Championships Top 8 (Senior);
2008 World Championships Top 32 (Junior)
===Shoma "SHADEviera" Honami===
2015 World Championships 1st;

==Match Schedule==
(All times given in US Eastern Standard Time)
===February 25th===
*5pm : Group A Match 1: Sejun “Sejun” Park vs Aaron “Cybertron” Zheng
*6pm : Group A Match 2: Wolfe “Wolfey” Glick vs Dan “aDrive” Clap
*7pm : Group A Winners Match
*8pm : Group A Losers Match
*9pm : Group B Match 1: Shoma “SHADEviera” Hoami vs Alex Ogloza
*10pm : Group B Match 2: Markus “Yoshi” Stadter” vs Enosh Shachar
*11pm : Group B Winners Match
*12am : Group B Losers Match
===February 26th===
*5pm : Group A Final Match
*6pm : Group B Final Match
*7pm : Semifinal #1
*8:30pm : Semifinal #2
*10pm : Finals

==Press release==
{{quote|One Nation of Gamers, with help from GEICO Gaming, are happy to take our first step into the world of Pokémon. The ONOG Pokémon Invitational aims to provide high level games to existing Video Game Championship(VGC) fans while also introducing competitive Pokémon to the wider esports community. This Invitational marks many firsts for VGC. It is the first time a mainstream esports organization has ventured into the realm of Pokémon. It also marks the first time a major corporate sponsor has supported a primarily Pokémon VGC event. Some of the players competing include three world champions, the most recent Dreamhack Champion, and the most popular and decorated YouTubers within VGC.|One Nation of Gamers}}

==Organizer and sponsor information==
===One Nation of Gamers===
One Nation of Gamers is the bridge between amateurs and pros. Join us in our open events to play against some of the world’s best gamers and maybe even join them at the top. ONOG provides a chance to get better, get experienced, and maybe with some good play, get discovered. In 2017, we’re planning to hold at least $90,000 in Hearthstone tournaments which is an increase over our $60,000 in tournaments last year.

===GEICO Gaming===
GEICO Gaming is GEICO’s alter ego in the worlds of gaming and esports. GEICO Gaming is the proud sponsor of both Team Solo Mid and Panda Global Gaming and the title sponsor for one of the best-running amateur Hearthstone tournaments in the One Nation of Gamers Hearthstone Circuit. GEICO Gaming has helped thrill crowds at PAX South, SXSW Gaming, PAX East, and Wizard World events, and EVO with their tournaments sweet swag, and freeplay for attendees. Check out our latest event at geico.onog.gg and follow them on twitter at @GEICOGaming