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| (Image Source: The Daily Corinthian/The Pokémon Company International) |
After an electrifying weekend in Anaheim, California, U.S.A., the 2025 Pokémon World Champions have been crowned across the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE while those who watched the closing ceremonies were treated to exciting announcements across the Pokémon brand.
New Fan Experience, PokémonXP, Coming To The 2026 Pokémon World Championships In The Heart Of San Francisco
On August 28, 2026, the Pokémon World Championships will level up with the addition of an all-new fan experience: PokémonXP. This event will take place alongside the 2026 Pokémon World Championships competitions at the Moscone Center in the heart of San Francisco, California, U.S.A., welcoming Trainers from across the world to celebrate their fandom with a variety of unique offerings and engaging activities, with something for every fan. In addition, for the first time on Championship Sunday of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, competitors will battle it out on an epic stage — the Chase Center — as fans pack the arena to find out who will triumph and earn the title of Pokémon World Champions. Multi-day passes will be available for advance purchase on September 17, 2025. Fans can find more details at PokemonXP.com and Pokemon.com/Worlds.
Z-A Battle Club Details And More Revealed For Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Trainers will be able to jump into the Z-A Battle Club in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A game in the newly revealed Link and Ranked Battles. In the Z-A Battle Club (Link Battles), up to four players will race to defeat as many Pokémon as possible within the time limit to take the top spot. In Ranked Battles, up to four Trainers can compete online from around the world to earn points. When players earn enough points, they will rise in rank. Trainers will start off at Rank Z and can be promoted all the way up to the ultimate Rank A. Players can earn in-game rewards when a battle ends or when their rank increases, with additional rewards granted based on their final rank when the season ends after a set time period. Since rewards vary by season, active participation is necessary to climb the ranks and earn rewards. Players will also be able to enjoy Private Battles with their friends using local communication or with those farther away online. Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be available on October 16, 2025 on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems. A Nintendo Switch 2 + Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition bundle will also be available.
Pokémon Champions Takes The Stage For VGC At The 2026 Pokémon World Championships In San Francisco — Mega Evolution And Mega Dragonite Will Be Available At Launch
Next year, Pokémon Trainers from around the world will battle it out when the Pokémon Video Game Championships make the shift to Pokémon Champions at the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Franscisco. When Pokémon Champions launches in 2026, Trainers will compete in Ranked Battles where Pokémon will be able to undergo Mega Evolution and become Mega-Evolved Pokémon — such as the newly discovered Mega Dragonite introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon Champions is a free-to-start game coming to Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices in 2026. More details on a paid digital version of Pokémon Champions on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch systems will be shared in the future.
Eternatus Joins Pokémon GO Alongside New Max Battles
Last August 15-17, 2025, Pokémon GO players in Anaheim were treated to the surprise debut of the Poison- and Dragon-type Eternatus, along with the introduction of Max Battles featuring this Legendary Pokémon. Both will make their global debut with GO Pass: Max Finale, launching later this month during the Dark Skies event.
New Mega Evolution Cards Revealed Alongside New Mega Attack Rarity For The Pokémon TCG
The Pokémon Trading Card Game pulled back the curtain on Mega attack rare, an all-new card rarity that features attack names in katakana, reminiscent of the original Mega Evolution Pokémon-EX cards from the XY Series. Mega attack rare cards coming to the Pokémon TCG include Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gardevoir ex, and Mega Lucario ex. Trainers also received a first look at Mega Dragonite, as seen in the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Z-A video game, which will be coming to the Pokémon TCG as a new Pokémon ex.
Mega Evolution Pokémon Coming To Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket
Coming in fall 2025, Mega Evolution Pokémon ex cards, including Mega Gyarados ex, Mega Blaziken ex, and Mega Altaria ex will be debuting in Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket. Fans can stay tuned for more details on Pokemon.com/TCGPocket.
Empoleon, Dhelmise And Vaporeon Join The Fray In Pokémon UNITE
Fans were given a first look at newcomers Empoleon, Dhelmise and Vaporeon, which will join the growing pool of playable Pokémon in Pokémon UNITE. Empoleon will be joining the roster on September 19, 2025 with Dhelmise and Vaporeon coming soon.
2025 Pokémon World Champions
The weekend of August 15-17, 2025 saw a fiery slate of intense matchups across the competition, and when the dust settled in Anaheim, the following 2025 Pokémon World Champions were crowned.
Video Game Junior Division:
1st place: Luke Whittier, US
2nd place: Sosuke Arinori, Japan
Video Game Senior Division:
1st place: Kevin Han, US
2nd place: Sian Lee, South Korea
Video Game Masters Division:
1st place: Giovanni Cischke, US
2nd place: James Evans, US
Trading Card Game Junior Division:
1st place: Yuya Okita, Japan
2nd place: Jose Cruz Galindo Resendiz, US
Trading Card Game Senior Division:
1st place: Fuguan Liao, China
2nd place: Gabriel Fernandez, Brazil
Trading Card Game Masters Division:
1st place: Riley McKay, Canada
2nd place: Justin Newdorf, US
Pokémon GO:
1st place: Ved “Beelzeboy” Bamb, India
2nd place: Leo “P4T0M4N” Marín Torres, El Salvador
Pokémon UNITE:
1st place: PERÚ UNITE, Latin America – South
2nd place: ZETA DIVISION, Japan
Keep up to date with the latest news from the 2025 Pokémon World Championships here, and to find out more about the Play! Pokémon program, be sure to visit Play.Pokemon.com.
