BELLEVUE, Wash., June 14 — After an electric weekend in New Orleans 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 in August in San Francisco. Next year’s host for the 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships, Chicago, was also announced.
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.
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 here.
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 here, including how to collect these cards at local stores for those who aren’t able to join their fellow Trainers in San Francisco.
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 this weekend:
Video Game Junior Division:
1st place: Damon Zhu (NZ)
2nd place: Asher Garrett (US)
Video Game Senior Division:
1st place: Conner Pietrusinski (US)
2nd place: Matteo Boschmans (BE)
Video Game Masters Division:
1st place: Francisco Pio Pero (IT)
2nd place: Eric Rios (ES)
Trading Card Game Junior Division:
1st place: Luke Giffen (US)
2nd place: Annabelle Oono (US)
Trading Card Game Senior Division:
1st place: David Boehmler (US)
2nd place: Hikaru Handa (AU)
Trading Card Game Masters Division:
1st place: James Kowalski (US)
2nd place: Neddy Kosek (CZ)
Pokémon GO:
1st place: Ryan "PsyRhino" Shoushi (US)
2nd place: Sameep "TheTaurian22" Grover (CA)
Pokémon UNITE:
1st place: Dignitas (NA)
2nd place: Evil Geniuses (NA)
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/us/play-pokemon.
Press Release
