The closing ceremony for the North America International Championships in New Orleans turned into a preview stage for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, with new plush, a fresh batch of promo cards, and a look at the playmat and accessories headed to competitors. The capstone event lands in San Francisco, California, in August, and a separate fan convention called PokémonXP runs alongside it.
Quick answer: If you can’t attend Worlds or PokémonXP, you can still get this year’s Worlds Pikachu card by going to a Worlds Celebration at a participating Play! Pokémon Store.
Worlds 2026 promo cards and competitor items
The 2026 World Championships keeps the tradition of a commemorative promo card for players who earn their place at the event. This year it’s a Paradise Resort promo card, handed to competitors at the tournament in San Francisco.
Players also got a sneak peek at the contents of this year’s Worlds Welcome Kit. The kit includes a deck box, card sleeves, and a playmat, along with several other items bundled in for competitors. On top of that, the ceremony showed off the Champions line, a set of items awarded to the players who win their World Championship title.
| Item | Who receives it |
|---|---|
| Paradise Resort promo card | Worlds competitors |
| Worlds Welcome Kit (deck box, card sleeves, playmat, and more) | Worlds competitors |
| Champions line items | World Champions |
PokémonXP Pikachu plush and Rayquaza card
Worlds weekend also marks the debut of PokémonXP, the first event of its kind, running at the same time as the Championships. Attendees got an early look at the exhibitors and partners taking part, including LEGO among others.
The standout collectible is a celebratory Pikachu plush tied to PokémonXP, sold at Pokémon Center. People attending PokémonXP and Worlds are also set to receive a Rayquaza card carrying a PokémonXP stamp, which is exclusive to those two events.
How to get the Worlds Pikachu card without attending
Not everyone can travel to San Francisco, so there’s a route for fans staying home. The Worlds Pikachu card is being distributed at Worlds Celebration events held at local stores, so you don’t need a Worlds badge to add it to your collection.
Note: Exact dates, store participation, and any per-person limits can vary by location, so check the event listing before you go.
NAIC moves to Chicago in 2027
Beyond the Worlds reveals, the closing ceremony confirmed a venue change for the next North America International Championships. After three straight years in New Orleans, NAIC moves to Chicago, Illinois, for the 2027 season.
For now, the focus stays on San Francisco. The plush, promo cards, and competitor kits shown off at the ceremony are the headline items, and full details on timing and availability are expected closer to the event. You can track updates through the official Pokémon World Championships hub.
