You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
The 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships will take place at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, The Pokémon Company announced after the conclusion of the 2026 event in New Orleans.
The move will end a three-year run for the North America International Championships in New Orleans. The 2027 event will bring one of Pokémon’s major competitive events to Chicago as players continue the path toward international and world championship qualification.
The announcement came during the 2026 Pokémon North America International Championships, where competitors played across Pokémon Champions, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.
The Pokémon Company also shared new details for PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, which are scheduled to take place in San Francisco in August. Partners listed for the San Francisco events include LEGO, Santa Cruz, Crocs, Funko, Stern Pinball, Build-A-Bear, Jazwares, Bandai Spirits and Sideshow.
Additional items shown during the New Orleans event included the 2026 Pokémon World Championships Welcome Kit, the Champion’s line, the 2026 Paradise Resort card, 2026 Pokémon World Championships promo cards and a PokémonXP promo card. The announcement also said more information would be made available on how fans not attending the San Francisco event can collect some of the cards through local stores.
The 2026 North America International Champions were also crowned in New Orleans. Damon Zhu of New Zealand won the Video Game Junior Division, Conner Pietrusinski of the United States won the Video Game Senior Division and Francisco Pio Pero of Italy won the Video Game Masters Division.
In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Luke Giffen of the United States won the Junior Division, David Boehmler of the United States won the Senior Division and James Kowalski of the United States won the Masters Division.
Ryan “PsyRhino” Shoushi of the United States won the Pokémon GO competition, while Dignitas won Pokémon UNITE.
About the Author
