Reaching the Pokémon League requires first passing through Hoenn'sVictory Road, which is located between Ever Grande City's southern Pokémon Center and the Pokémon League building.
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the Pokémon League building is a large orange tower. Before each of the Elite Four member's rooms is a short pathway consisting of a metal bridge over a black pit. The pathway between Drake's room and the Champion's room is longer than the others, containing flashing lights in the dark pit and on the far wall.
In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the Pokémon League building is no longer a modern tower, but instead resembles a traditional Japanese castle. The approach to each room is themed after each individual member of the Elite Four. Each chamber is contained within its own traditionally-styled building raised above the ground, and connected via bridges. While theDelta Episode is in progress, it is not possible to challenge the Elite Four due to Steven's absence.
The lobby is a large combinedPokémon Center andPoké Mart, with a door in the center leading to the Elite Four. The Pokémon Center is located at the left counter and the Poké Mart at the right counter.
In Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire only, unlike other Pokémon Centers in theGeneration III games, the lobby does not have a second floor; inPokémon Emerald, it has a second floor like other Pokémon Centers.
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald,Sidney's room is brown and contains two pits on either side. In the Japanese release of these games, the lights in the back of the room flash quickly; in the international releases, they flash much slower. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, Sidney's room is inside a building surrounded by sand, which also fills the pits inside his chamber. Sidney sits waiting for challengers on a small black chair.
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald,Phoebe's room is purple and contains two pits on either side with broken bricks, resembling the kind found in a stereotypical haunted house. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the approach to Phoebe's room features hanging lavender and a pond with spectral water lilies on either side of a long wooden bridge. Eight spirits emerge and possess the lanterns hanging on the building, illuminating them. Inside of Phoebe's chamber, the pits are simply dark voids. A purple armchair rests against the back wall of the room.
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald,Glacia's room is ice blue and contains two pits on either side with ice bricks underneath. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the approach to Glacia's room is a snowy bridge over a frosty void. Snow blankets the roof of the building, while icicles hang from its edges. When the player approaches, a blizzard briefly passes through the area and the bridge becomes covered with non-slippery ice. The pits inside the room are filled with frozen water and a blue armchair rests against the back wall.
In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald,Drake's room is red and contains two pits on either side with spikes underneath. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the approach consists of a stone bridge crossing a large pool of lava. Two flames rise over the bridge and enter a stone dragon head statue, causing its nostrils to flare. The building containing Drake's room is notably different from the others, appearing as a stone and canvas structure. The pits inside the chamber are filled with lava and a red-brown armchair rests against the back wall.
The Champion's room, containingStevenRSORAS orWallaceE, is octagonal and its walls have a grid-like pattern. In the center of the room is an octagonal stage. At the back of the room is a small silver staircase to theHall of Fame. In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, the walls and floor have a purple hue to represent Steven or a cyan hue to represent Wallace. In Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the chamber is identical, but instead features a dark brown color scheme.
After defeating theChampion, the player will be led to the Hall of Fame. In Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it is a large room with a blue reflective floor, whereas in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the room is instead colored with shades of brown. At the back of the room is a machine used for recording a Trainer's victory at the Pokémon League and, in Generation III only, several screens used in the recording process.
Artwork of various depictions of Ever Grande City's Pokémon League is seen in the mindscapes of many Trainers associated with it, including theElite Four andBrendan.
In the past,Wallace won the Pokémon League tournament in Ever Grande City and entered theHall of Fame, but refused the position of Champion in order to succeed his mentorJuan as theGym Leader ofSootopolis City. Another reason for his refusal was becauseWinona, whom Wallace was in love with, had become a Gym Leader around the same time, and he wished to be closer to her level by also being a Gym Leader instead of a Champion.
Ever Grande City was mentioned inThe Beginning of the End with Kyogre & Groudon XIII as the site of the Hoenn Pokémon League tournament.Blind boy andSwimmerJack discussed about how a new rule had been added that made the Elite Four also a part of the League challenge, which meant that only a Trainer capable of winning the tournament, defeating the Elite Four, and beating the current Champion could enter the Hall of Fame and become a new Champion.
In the TCG
The following is a list of cards related to mentioning or featuring the Hoenn Pokémon League in thePokémon Trading Card Game.
Pokémon in Hoenn League Cards listed with ablue background are only legal to use in the currentExpanded format. Cards listed with agreen background are legal to use in both the currentStandard andExpanded formats.
When the player first challengesPhoebe in Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, as the screen first fades to black, there is a blink-and-miss moment where a child appears on her armchair out of thin air. After the screen comes into view again, it seems to switch to the child's point of view before fading to black again. When the screen comes into view again, the child can be seen standing behind the player's model. The child doesn't appear in the subsequent matches against Phoebe.
