2026 is a huge year for the Pokémon franchise, and the first of what could be many new titles arriving in the year ahead is right around the corner with the launch of Pokopia.
First revealed last year, Pokopia certainly captured our attention during a hands-on preview with the game, and thrusts players into a world where humans have mysteriously vanished, leaving Pokémon to fend for themselves.
If you can’t wait for the release of Pokopia, Insider Gaming has all the details on the release date for Pokopia and exactly when you can get your hands on the game.
When Does Pokémon Pokopia Release?
Pokémon Pokopia has an official release date of March 5, 2026, and the countdown to the release of the Pokémon life-sim game is rapidly ticking toward completion.
Pokopia gives fans a new way to explore the world of Pokémon and interact with their favourite characters, in a style that is similar to the Animal Crossing franchise and the Xbox 360 classic Viva Piñata.
The March 5 release has been set in stone since November, and further details about the game are expected to be shared in a Pokémon Presents showcase on February 27. However, a showcase on Pokémon Day is yet to be officially confirmed.
What Are The Pokémon Pokopia Start Times?
Pokémon Pokopia’s official release time is at 12 AM local time, but due to time zone differences, you may be able to play significantly earlier than that release.
Pokopia has a staggered release time, which theoretically means those in Oceania will be the first to play, but Nintendo Switch 2 settings can be tweaked to play when the doors open. However, it is a more complicated process than with Xbox Series X|S, for example.
The start times for Pokémon Pokopia are listed in the table below, along with the corresponding start time in Australia and its equivalents in major time zones worldwide.
If Pokopia isn’t accessible on the dot at these times, it shouldn’t be too much later, so keep an eye on social media for details.
| Time Zone | Pokopia Start Time | Australia Release Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 12 AM – March 5 | 5 AM – March 4 |
| Central Time (CT) | 12 AM – March 5 | 7 AM – March 4 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 12 AM – March 5 | 8 AM – March 4 |
| Greenwhich Mean Time (GMT) | 12 AM – March 5 | 1 PM – March 4 |
| Australian Eastern Time (AET) | 12 AM – March 5 | 12 AM – March 5 |
Are you planning a cheeky trip to New Zealand to play Pokopia early? Share your plans in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Pokémon, take a look at the closest thing to a real-life Pikachu, and find out who bought the most expensive card from Logan Paul.
