San Francisco is expecting a crowd unlike any other as more than 50,000 Pokémon fans are set to flood the city for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships and the inaugural Pokémon XP fan convention. Most of the action will unfold at Moscone Center from August 28 through 30, with the championship finals taking over Chase Center on Sunday, August 30.
Fans have already started gathering, trading collectibles and counting down the days. At a Friday night meetup, Trey Holt of Austin, Texas, marveled at the event’s global pull. “This is pretty international. People are flying in from all over,” he said. Dave Tran echoed the sentiment: “Super excited. Finally coming to SF which is great.”
The event is more than just competition. Katherine Davey said she’s especially looking forward to Pokémon XP, which will feature scavenger hunts, panel discussions, card and pin trading, and other fan-focused activities. “It’s the first time to have a get-together with everyone. They’ll have all these little booths,” she said.
Hotels across the city are preparing for the influx. Christina Rea, director of sales and marketing for the W San Francisco, said the hotel will be completely sold out with Pokémon attendees. “There’s going to be 50,000 attendees from all over the world coming in, so a truly international showcase for San Francisco.”
To add to the celebration, Pokémon Center is rolling out Worlds-themed bundles featuring Pokémon from championship-winning teams of 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025. Shoppers who spend at least $50 on Pokémon Center starting August 26 at 10:00 a.m. PDT can also receive a gift-with-purchase Pikachu coin commemorating Pokémon XP and the 2026 World Championships.
The bundles celebrate the legends of the game. German player Robin Schulz’s 2018-winning Zoroark-GX/Garbodor deck is represented with Sitting Cuties plush. Paul Ruiz’s explosive 2018 team, featuring Mega Salamence, Incineroar, Gastrodon, and Kartana, also gets the plush treatment. Henry Brand’s 2019 performance with Mewtwo & Mew-GX is commemorated with a Mewtwo plush, stickers, and a LEGO Mewtwo’s Lab Break set.
Eduardo Cunha’s 2022 VGC title on Pokémon Sword and Shield, powered by Zacian and Shadow Rider Calyrex, brings a bundle with Gastrodon, Incineroar, and Shadow Rider Calyrex plush. Vance Kelley’s 2023 Mew VMAX deck that outlasted Tord Reklev’s Gardevoir ex is honored with Mew plush, stickers, and a Pokémon × Dolly Noire: Pixel Mew Dad Hat. And the 2025 champions are front and center too: Giovanni Cischke’s VGC-winning Flutter Mane and team, plus Riley McKay’s TCG-winning Gardevoir ex with the Gardevoir & Gallade Majesty Playmat.
The promotional Pikachu coin will be available while supplies last, and fans can catch all the action live on Pokemon.com/worlds-broadcasts from August 28–30.
