Pokémon World Championships 2025: all the announcements
During the closing ceremonies of the Pokémon World Championships 2025 (which were held last weekend in Anaheim, California), The Pokémon Company made several announcements regarding current and upcoming Pokémon game and other projects. And in this post, you will find all the details about said announcements, complete with trailers!
New Fan Experience, PokémonXP, Coming to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in the Heart of San Francisco
On Aug. 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, 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 Sept. 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 Oct. 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
This weekend, 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 Sept. 19, 2025, with Dhelmise and Vaporeon coming soon.
Source: The Pokémon Company PR (18/08/2025)
