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| (Image Source: Option Premier/The Pokémon Company International) |
2026 North America International Champions Crowned Ahead Of Season Finale In San Francisco, California, U.S.A.
After an electric weekend at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana that saw competitors battle it out in Pokémon Champions, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE, the 2026 Pokémon North America International Champions have been crowned. Trainers around the world were also treated to new announcements for PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships taking place on August 2026 in San Francisco, California. It was also announced that Chicago will host the 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships.
First Look At PokémonXP And 2026 Pokémon World Championships Partners
Trainers in attendance in New Orleans and watching at home via livestream on Pokémon channels were treated to a first look at some of the partners that will be exhibiting at PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco later this year including LEGO, Santa Cruz, Crocs, Funko, Stern Pinball, Build-A-Bear, Jazwares, Bandai Spirits, Sideshow and more. More information can be found at pokemonxp.com.
2026 Pokémon World Championships Paradise Resort Card, Promo Card And Welcome Kit Revealed
A first look at the much-anticipated 2026 Pokémon World Championships Welcome Kit, Champion’s line, 2026 Paradise Resort card, 2026 Pokémon World Championships promo cards and the PokémonXP promo card were debuted in New Orleans as well, giving Trainers a tease of what they can expect when they make their way to San Francisco later this year. More information can be found at Pokemon.com including how to collect these cards at local stores for those who aren’t able to join their fellow Trainers in San Francisco.
Pokémon North America International Championships Move To Chicago In 2027
In 2027, the Pokémon North America International Championships will take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago. After a wonderful three years in New Orleans, the competition will head to the Windy City for what is sure to be a thrilling new era of competition for Trainers on their journey to become a North America International Champion.
2026 North America International Champions Crowned
Congratulations to all of the competitors who competed across a stirring weekend of competition in New Orleans, and to the 2026 North America International Champions who were crowned last June 12-14, 2026.
Video Game Junior Division
1st place: Damon Zhu, New Zealand
2nd place: Asher Garrett, USA
Video Game Senior Division
1st place: Conner Pietrusinski, USA
2nd place: Matteo Boschmans, Belgium
Video Game Masters Division
1st place: Francisco Pio Pero, Italy
2nd place: Eric Rios, Spain
Trading Card Game Junior Division
1st place: Luke Giffen, USA
2nd place: Annabelle Oono, USA
Trading Card Game Senior Division
1st place: David Boehmler, USA
2nd place: Hikaru Handa, Australia
Trading Card Game Masters Division
1st place: James Kowalski, USA
2nd place: Neddy Kosek, Czechia/Czech Republic
Pokémon GO
1st place: Ryan “PsyRhino” Shoushi, USA
2nd place: Sameep “TheTaurian22” Grover, Canada
Pokémon UNITE
1st place: Dignitas, North America
2nd place: Evil Geniuses, North America
Stay up to date with the latest news on PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, and to find out more about the Play! Pokémon program, be sure to visit Pokemon.com/uk/play-pokemon.
