The 2026 Pokémon World Championships are set to return to San Francisco, California, according to a report by SFBusinessTimes. The finals of the championship will take place at the Moscone Center, marking the second time the event has been held in San Francisco. This news comes as a surprise to many, as the 2024 Play Pokémon season is currently underway. The report should be taken with caution, as the event is still two years away and unforeseen circumstances, such as the impact of COVID, could potentially affect the plans.
California has been a dominant location for the Pokémon World Championships, with this being the seventh time the event will be hosted in the state. The last time California hosted the championship was in 2027 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the Pokémon Sun and Moon era. Only Hawaii comes close to California's world dominance, as it will be hosting its fourth Pokémon World Championship in Honolulu this year.
It's worth noting that a lot has changed in the Pokémon world since San Francisco last hosted a World Championship over 10 years ago. New games like Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite have gained popularity outside of the traditional Trading Card Game (TCG) and Video Game Championship (VGC) circuits, while Pokkén Tournament is nowhere to be seen.
As fans eagerly await the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, the question arises: where will the 2025 event be held next year? Stay tuned for more updates and announcements as the Play Pokémon season continues.
