When & What to Expect From Pokemon Day 2026

Pokémon Day is a major annual event for fans, celebrating the original Japanese release of Pokémon Red and Green on February 27, 1996. The 2026 celebration is particularly important, as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Pokémon franchise, and fans are eagerly awaiting announcements about the future of the series, beyond the usual Pokémon Presents broadcast.

When and What to Expect from Pokemon Presents 2026 — The Main Event

Pokemon Day 2026 will once again be celebrated with a Pokemon Presents livestream. Based on past events, it will probably start in the early afternoon in Europe, meaning viewers on the East Coast of the US will need to wake up very early, and those on the West Coast even earlier. The presentation usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and features trailers, exciting announcements, and the latest news directly from The Pokemon Company.

Expect the following:

Official release dates on upcoming titles (i.e., Pokemon Champions)
World premiere gameplay trailers (i.e., new releases in Pokemon Unite)
Teases for brand-new projects (i.e., Pokemon Wind and Wave)
Updates across mobile and console Pokemon experiences (i.e., a Pokemon TCG Pocket expansion)

Pokémon Presents events have always given us a look at what’s coming for the franchise each year, and with a major anniversary coming up in 2026, we can expect even bigger announcements than usual.

Big Game Announcements and Pokemon Gen 10

Pokemon Gen 10 Reveal on Pokemon Day 2026

Considering how Nintendo announced Pokemon Legends: Arceus as a surprise at the end of the franchise’s 25th anniversary celebration, and revealed Pokemon Scarlet and Violet at the conclusion of the Pokemon Day presentation in 2022, it’s likely we’ll see the next generation of Pokemon games announced this February. This follows a pattern of major Pokemon announcements. A late 2026 release would perfectly coincide with the 30th anniversary of Pokemon. While this announcement will be huge, expect only a basic reveal – the game’s title, a few hints about the story and characters, and a first look at the new starter Pokemon.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A — What’s Next?

Following the launch of Pokemon Legends: Z-A and its Mega Dimension DLC in December 2025, players are eagerly anticipating more news in 2026. We might see details about:

An exclusive event to get Mega Garchomp Z
Release timing and details for future ranked seasons for Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Possible event schedule for 2026, including special shiny Pokemon

Pokemon Champions Details

Announced on Pokémon Day 2025, Pokémon Champions is a new strategy game where players battle using Pokémon. It’s planned to launch in 2026 on Nintendo Switch, as well as on iOS and Android devices, and will feature:

Multiplayer and cross-play
Pokemon Home integration
Classic mechanics, like Mega Evolution and Dynamax

Pokémon Day 2026 might be when we finally learn the release date or see a big trailer for the upcoming spin-off game. This could give us a better understanding of what the game is about and how it will work. It’s also possible this game will become the main focus for competitive Pokémon battles (VGC).

Pokemon Pokopia Gameplay

Nintendo has announced that Pokemon Pokopia, a relaxing and creative game similar to Stardew Valley, will be released in early March 2026 for the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s likely we’ll see more details soon, possibly around Pokemon Day, including a new trailer or a closer look at how the building and exploration will work.

Mobile, TCG, GO, and Beyond — Broad Pokemon Franchise Coverage

Past Pokemon Day celebrations demonstrate that the festivities aren’t just for games on consoles. Mobile games usually get a lot of attention too, with special events and new content. For example, previous celebrations have included:

Major Pokemon TCG Pocket expansions and special booster announcements
Free in-game bonuses for Scarlet and Violet
Live events and in-game activities spanning across Pokemon Go, Unite, and more

The 2026 event will likely follow this pattern, featuring commemorative merchandise, extra features, and special collaborations with other games alongside the main show.

LEGO Pokemon Sets in 2026

With the very first LEGO Pokémon sets launching this year – including a popular collector’s set featuring Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise – it’s likely we’ll see more new sets revealed on Pokémon Day. There are rumors of additional sets planned for 2026, and Pokémon Day could be when LEGO officially confirms or denies those leaks.

February 27, 2026, is also when the first Pokemon sets will be released.

30 Years of Pokemon: Anniversary Surprises

With 2026 marking three decades of Pokemon, the celebration could stretch beyond simple game news:

30th Anniversary Merch Announcements — Likely exclusive figurines, apparel, plushies, and collectibles supporting the franchise’s history.
Retro Throwbacks and Nostalgia Moments — Pokemon has already teased nostalgic elements like the classic Pikachu design in 2026 promotions, and a 30th anniversary showcase may lean into more beloved Pokemon memories.
Potential Remakes or Classic Game Remasters — Rumors suggest that Nintendo could surprise fans with updates or remasters of old Pokemon games, which have long been requested by fans and would perfectly fit the bill of the 30th anniversary.

2026-01-31 18:06