The world of Pokémon just wrapped up one of its most exciting weekends yet. The 2025 Pokémon World Championships concluded in Anaheim, California, where the best Trainers across the globe battled it out in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE.
But the thrill didn’t end with the crowning of champions. Fans tuning in to the closing ceremonies were treated to major announcements across the Pokémon franchise, including new competitive formats, a fan-first event called PokémonXP, fresh details on Pokémon Legends: Z-A, and exciting expansions for the TCG, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon UNITE.
PokémonXP Fan Event Coming in 2026
Pokémon revealed that the 2026 Pokémon World Championships will level up with the debut of PokémonXP, a new fan experience designed to celebrate Pokémon culture like never before.
📍 Location: Moscone Center, San Francisco
📅 Dates: August 28–30, 2026
🎤 Highlight: Championship Sunday will unfold in front of thousands at the Chase Center, where fans can watch the finals live in a stadium atmosphere.
Multi-day passes for PokémonXP go on sale September 17, 2025 via PokemonXP.com and Pokemon.com/Worlds.
New Features for Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Launching on October 16, 2025, Pokémon Legends: Z-A for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch revealed fresh details about its competitive modes:
- Z-A Battle Club (Link Battles): Up to four Trainers race against the clock to defeat as many Pokémon as possible.
- Ranked Battles: Global online play with seasonal ranking systems, where players can climb from Rank Z all the way to the coveted Rank A.
- Rewards: Earn in-game items based on rank progression and seasonal performance.
- Private Battles: Play locally or online with friends.
A special Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A Edition bundle will launch alongside the game.
Pokémon Champions and Mega Dragonite Revealed
Pokémon also confirmed that the Video Game Championships will move to the brand-new Pokémon Champions title starting with the 2026 Worlds in San Francisco.
This competitive platform introduces Mega Evolution mechanics, with the first reveal being the long-awaited Mega Dragonite, also appearing in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and the TCG.
Pokémon Champions will be free-to-start on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile devices in 2026, with details on premium versions to come.
New Updates Across the Pokémon Universe
- Pokémon GO: The Legendary Eternatus arrives alongside a new Max Battle system, debuting later this month in the Dark Skies event.
- Pokémon TCG: A new rarity—Mega Attack Rare—was announced, featuring Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gardevoir ex, and Mega Lucario ex. Mega Dragonite ex will also join the lineup.
- Pokémon TCG Pocket (Fall 2025): Mega Evolution Pokémon ex cards, including Mega Gyarados, Mega Blaziken, and Mega Altaria, make their mobile debut.
- Pokémon UNITE: New playable Pokémon revealed: Empoleon (Sept. 19), with Dhelmise and Vaporeon joining soon.
2025 Pokémon World Champions
Video Game Champions
- Junior Division: Luke Whittier (US)
- Senior Division: Kevin Han (US)
- Masters Division: Giovanni Cischke (US)
Trading Card Game Champions
- Junior Division: Yuya Okita (Japan)
- Senior Division: Fuguan Liao (China)
- Masters Division: Riley McKay (Canada)
Pokémon GO Champion
- Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb (India)
Pokémon UNITE Champions
- PERÚ UNITE (Latin America – South)
With competitors from every corner of the globe, this year’s World Championships proved once again that Pokémon isn’t just a game—it’s a worldwide community.
The Road to San Francisco
With Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Pokémon Champions, Mega Evolutions, and the first-ever PokémonXP fan event on the horizon, the Pokémon franchise is gearing up for one of its most exciting years yet. The road to San Francisco 2026 is already paved with hype.
For full details, visit Pokemon.com/Worlds.
