Pokémon World Championships Return to San Francisco in 2026
San Francisco will once again be the epicenter of the Pokémon universe as it hosts the 2026 Pokémon World Championships from August 28–30. The event, a pinnacle of competitive Pokémon gaming, will take place across two iconic venues: the Moscone Center and Chase Center.
A Decade Since the Last Championship in San Francisco
After a ten-year hiatus, the Pokémon World Championships are returning to San Francisco, bringing together top players from around the globe to compete in the Pokémon Trading Card Game and various Pokémon video games . The Pokémon Company describes the event as “The Pinnacle of Pokémon Competition.”
What to Expect at the 2026 Championships
The championships will feature competitions in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as popular video games like Pokémon Travel and Pokémon UNITE. A new game, “Pokémon Champions,” will also make its competitive debut at the event . Championship Sunday’s final battles will be held at the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors, a venue previously used for major esports events, including the 2022 League of Legends World Championship Final .
Beyond the Competition: PokémonXP Fan Experience
Alongside the competitive events, the 2026 World Championships will launch simultaneously with “PokémonXP,” a new fan experience commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon series. PokémonXP will offer interactive activities, cosplay competitions, themed workshops, and exclusive Pokémon Center pop-up stores . Chris Brown, director of global esports and tournaments for The Pokémon Company, stated the event aims to welcome nearly 3,000 players worldwide and create a unique celebration for Pokémon fans .
Ticket Information
Fans interested in attending can join the multi-day event interest list from April 2nd to April 23rd to qualify for ticket purchases. Multi-day passes start at $120 for adults and $70 for youth (ages 6-17). Multi-day passes including access to the Champions Sunday Arena experience are priced starting at $150 for adults. Single-day passes will become available later this summer .
For more details and registration information, visit the official websites: Pokémon World Championship and Pokémon XP.