Pokémon World Championships 2026 Details Revealed

The Pokémon World Championships is an invite-only esports event organized annually in August by Play! Pokémon and this year it’s taking place in Anaheim, California, from August 15 to 17. Trainers from all over the world come to compete across various Pokémon titles, such as Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Go, Pokémon Unite, etc.

Following the earlier announcement of the Worlds Celebration Pikachu card, the artwork for the Paradise Resort promo card—distributed to World Championships competitors (while supplies last)—was unveiled during Pokémon Presents. Competing Trainers can get this promo card while supplies last. In-person attendees will also get something special—a digital code to claim the Pokémon Toadstool for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.

Even if you didn’t get an invite to the Pokémon World Championships, you can still tune in live to the action via the livestream broadcasts, which will also be available in multiple languages!

The 2025 Worlds Championships may not have even started, but we already have information regarding details for 2026, including the location, which will be San Francisco, California. There will be several changes implemented next year, such as a revised Swiss tournament format, updated end-of-round procedures for the Pokémon TCG, and Pokémon UNITE’s shift from Championship Point-based invitations to an all-new Regional League system. All of this can be viewed in detail on the official 2025 Pokémon World Championships website.

Source: The Pokémon Company International Press Release