The Pokémon World Championships opened in San Francisco, California, on August 28, 2026, marking the largest event ever organized by the franchise as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. The annual global tournament runs through August 30 across the city.
Organizers expect nearly 50,000 visitors and competitors to attend the three-day gathering. The anticipated turnout represents an all-time attendance record for the World Championships.
To celebrate the 30-year milestone, the franchise has introduced Pokémon XP, the first dedicated fan convention of its kind in Pokémon history. Operating alongside the main tournament, the convention was designed to bring the pocket monsters directly into the urban setting of San Francisco.
Organizers transformed an entire city street into an interactive fan zone for the occasion. The street features representations of famous San Francisco landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, the historic Victorian row houses known as the Painted Ladies, and the landmark sign of Fisherman's Wharf, a historic fishing district turned major tourist destination.
Visitors to Pokémon XP can participate in interactive gaming activities throughout the weekend and watch the largest parade of costumed Pokémon mascots ever assembled. The gathering is part of a year-long 30th anniversary campaign launched in January 2026, featuring exclusive merchandise releases and special events worldwide.
Pokémon Champions esports debut
The main highlight of the 2026 competitive roster is the debut of Pokémon Champions, a video game created specifically for competitive esports. The title is available as a free download on the Nintendo Switch console, the Nintendo Switch 2, and mobile devices.
Players competing in San Francisco had eight months following the release of Pokémon Champions to develop tactical strategies and collect new Pokémon within the game. Developers introduced the title to increase the intensity and pace of high-level tournament play.
Several French esports competitors are participating across multiple game divisions at the event. Former French number one player Hari is among those competing in the inaugural Pokémon Champions tournament.
French players are also competing in tournaments for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the mobile title Pokémon GO, and the strategic battle game Pokémon Unite. French roster Team Peps, who won the recent European International Championships in London, are entering the field with high expectations of qualifying for the final knockout stages.
Finals venue at Chase Center arena
For the first time in the history of the World Championships, the final stages of the competition will take place inside a major sports arena. The closing matches will be hosted at Chase Center, the home venue of local professional basketball teams the Golden State Warriors and the Valkyries.
The Pokémon World Championships serve as the flagship annual event for the media franchise, which originated in Japan in 1996 and has grown into one of the world's most recognizable entertainment properties.
