The Pokémon World Championships 2026 are taking place this weekend in San Francisco from August 28 through August 30.
This year’s event will see tournaments in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokémon Go, Pokémon Unite, and Pokémon Champions.
This will be the first-ever world championship featuring Pokémon Champions as the battle simulator hosts the VGC tournament.
And across the three events, there will be a combined prize pool of $2 million.
How to Watch Pokémon VGC World Championships?
Schedule
- Friday, Aug 28 – 9:00 am to 7:00 pm PDT (12:00-10:00 pm EDT)
- Saturday, Aug 29 – 9:00 am to 6:30 pm PDT (12:00-9:30 pm EDT)
- Sunday, Aug 30 – Starting around 4:00 pm PDT (7:00 pm EDT)
Streaming Platforms:
The VGC tournament will see the best Pokémon battlers in the world, like YouTuber Wolfe Glick and three-time international champion Marco Silva.
The Pokémon Champions World Championship Twitch drops will include Quick Coupons and an Incineroar.
How to Watch Pokémon TCG World Championships?
Schedule
- Friday, Aug 28 – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PDT (12:00-10:30 pm EDT)
- Saturday, Aug 29 – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PDT(12:00-10:30 pm EDT)
- Sunday, Aug 30 – Starting around 12:30 am PDT (3:30 pm EDT)
Streaming Platforms:
While only the top 16 VGC players will earn cash prizes, 32 TCG players will receive payouts with the winner earning $50k.
There will be various Pokémon TCG World Championship Twitch drops available for viewers, which can be redeemed on Pokémon TCG Live.
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How to Watch Pokémon Go World Championships?
Schedule
- Friday, Aug 28 – 9:00 am to 7:00 pm PDT (12:00-10:00 pm EDT)
- Saturday, Aug 29 – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PDT (12:00-10:30 pm EDT)
- Sunday, Aug 30 – Starting around 10:30 am PDT (1:30 pm EDT)
Streaming Platforms:
Players from around the world will travel to compete in the Pokémon Go finals, with the eventual winner receiving the exclusive World Champion 2026 outfit for their avatar.
Viewers can also earn a costumed Pikachu and an encounter with Beelzeboy’s World Championships–winning Tinkaton in the Pokémon Go World Championshionship Twitch drops.
How to Watch Pokémon Unite World Championships?
Schedule
- Friday, Aug 28 – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PDT (12:00-10:30 pm EDT)
- Saturday, Aug 29 – 9:00 am to 7:30 pm PDT (12:00-10:30 pm EDT)
- Sunday, Aug 30 – Starting around 9:00 am PDT (12:00 am EDT)
Streaming Platforms:
This will potentially be the last time Pokémon Unite is played at the Pokémon World Championships as it has been removed from next year’s event.
Still, viewers will be rewarded with Pokémon Unite World Championship Twitch drops, including a license to obtain Leafeon, Psyduck, Zacian, Inteleon, or Crustle.
Which tournament are you most excited for? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
Meanwhile, Mega Rayquaza has returned to the Pokémon TCG for the first time in a decade. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
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