News Archive

Pokémon Champions, the official Pokémon battle app for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, is now available

POKÉMON CHAMPIONS

• Pokémon Champions was released on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 8th, 2026, with a free graphics update also available for players on Switch 2. Pokémon can be recruited in Champions through in-game rentals, or by registering Pokémon stored within the player’s Pokémon HOME account. Pokémon can also be recruited using Quick Coupons, Teammate Tickets, or Victory Points (VP), with VP also being used to assign moves, abilities, and natures to each Pokémon.

Source: Champions

• 187 Pokémon species and 59 Mega Evolutions are available in Regular Roster M-A for the game's first season, which runs until June 16th, 2026. Many Mega Evolutions that debuted in Pokémon Legends: Z-A have received abilities for the first time, and many moves and abilities have been rebalanced from previous games. As with the Pokémon roster, a limited selection of items is available for the initial season, with more to be added in the future. Battle Bond Greninja cannot transfer into Champions, and Mega Floette is only available in Champions by transferring it from Legends: Z-A.

• A Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons are available in the in-game mailbox as an Early-Download Bonus, and a Machamp is available from Mystery Gift by using code CHAMP1ON, both until August 31st, 2026.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON HOME

• Beginning on April 27th, 2026, a Shiny Volcanion with the moves Steam Eruption, Flare Blitz, Hydro Pump, and Heavy Slam, is rewarded to players who complete their Lumiose Pokédex, Hyperspace Pokédex and Mega Pokédex in Pokémon HOME. This is the first time Shiny Volcanion has been released to the public.

Source: Pokémon

• HOME Update 4.0.0 released on April 2nd, 2026, allowing Pokémon HOME to deposit Pokémon to and withdraw Pokémon from Legends: Z-A. It also allows users to send Pokémon to visit Pokémon Champions, where they can be used for battles instead of rental Pokémon. When Trainers move a Pokémon from Legends: Z-A into the Switch version of Pokémon HOME for the first time, they will receive an alpha Chikorita, alpha Tepig, and alpha Totodile as Mystery Gifts in the mobile version. Due to Legends: Z-A gaining compatibility with HOME, Original Color Mega Magearna, as well as Shiny versions of Mega Darkrai, Mega Zygarde, Mega Magearna, and Mega Zeraora, can be obtained in Legends: Z-A for the first time by transferring these Pokémon from HOME.

Source: HOME Connectivity and Alpha Starters

POKÉMON POKOPIA

• Pokémon Pokopia Version 1.0.3 was released on April 8th, 2026 and Version 1.0.4 was released on April 22th, 2026. Both updates addressed bugs and issues in the game to provide a smoother experience.

• Additional Dream Islands have been released: IKEA Island is available by using code 0SJ8 5TRX until May 10th, 2026, and Color Peach Island is available indefinitely by using code OXGP 4N31. The code POK0P1AGARDENS can be used to receive a Chansey Plant until October 7th, 2026.

Source: Version 1.0.3, IKEA Island, Color Peach Island, Chansey Plant

• A new limited-time event, Jump Rope with Bulbasaur, was available in Pokopia from April 19th, 2026, until April 26th, 2026, for players who had completed the "Yawn up a storm!" request in Withered Wasteland. Players could play jump rope with Bulbasaur to receive prizes based on the number of consecutive jumps performed. Multiplayer contests were also available when visiting players in their worlds or on Cloud Islands.

Source: Jump Rope with Bulbasaur

• The next Pokopia event, Sableye's Gem Hunt, launched on April 29th, 2026 and runs until May 14th, 2026. Sableye will appear in towns with a rebuilt Pokémon Center and players can collect red crystal fragments from Dream Islands to exchange with Sableye for themed items. Sableye will also remain in town after being encountered.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON TCG

• The fifth main expansion of the Mega Evolution block Abyss Eye, will be released in Japan on May 22nd, 2026. Abyss Eye will have a base set of 81 cards with a currently-unknown amount of secret rares and has revealed several Darkness-type Pokémon cards, including Inkay, Malamar, Zarude, and Chi-Yu, as well as new Trainer cards such as Dark Bell and Shadow Energy. Mega Darkrai ex is the headlining Pokémon.

Source: Pokémon JP

• LEGO has announced a Pokémon TCG collaboration challenge: "We're inviting builders from around the world to craft their own Pokémon TCG card using LEGO bricks, elements, and pieces. [...] Your Mission: Build a dynamic card, featuring your chosen Pokémon." Players can choose one of thirty different Pokémon specified in the rules and create an original Full Art card depicting that Pokémon using between 400 and 2,500 LEGO pieces, with the Grand Prize winner seeing their build turned into a LEGO set.

Source: Pokémon

TCG POCKET

• The newest expansion in TCG Pocket, Pulsing Aura, was released on April 27th, 2026, featuring Pokémon such as Mega Lucario ex, Mega Sceptile ex, Vaporeon, Kubfu, Rapid Strike Urshifu, Single Strike Urshifu, and more, as well as new Trainer cards such as Korrina and Arena of Antiquity. Gold frames are now available as a type of flair for lower rarity cards in every series.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON GO

• Pokémon GO has revealed that a new Caterpie wearing a Poké Ball hat event costume will debut during GO Fest 2026 events. GO Fest 2026, which celebrates ten years of Pokémon GO, will occur on May 29th-June 1st, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan; June 5-7, 2026, in Chicago, USA; and June 12-14th, 2026, in Copenhagen, Denmark, with tickets for all three in-person events available now. The global event will be held July 11-12th, 2026, with merchandise spotlighting Mewtwo available through the GO Fest 2026 Collection.

Source: GO Fest, Instagram

ANIME

• The next arc of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, titled Wonder Voyage, will begin in Japan on May 22nd, 2026. A new poster has been revealed showing Liko, Roy, their Pokémon, and several other Pokémon debuting in the series. Newcomers include Ditto, Wo-Chien, Chien-Pao, Ting-Lu, Chi-Yu, Okidogi, Munkidori, Fezandipiti, Ogerpon, Koraidon, and Miraidon, as well as new Mega Evolution Pokémon such as Mega Falinks and Mega Lucario Z. A new character in Wonder Voyage, Navi, has been revealed.

Source: Oricon News JP

• Apple Music has released a new playlist featuring many English vocal songs from various soundtracks of the anime dub on April 1st, 2026.

Source: Playlist

GENERAL

• Pokémon Night Out has been revealed as a "first-of-its-kind celebration that brings together the worlds of Pokémon and electronic dance music (EDM) for a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Tickets are now available for shows in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California on October 24th, 2026, as well as the O2 arena in London on November 10th, 2026. EDM artists Marshmello and Alison Wonderland have been announced as the guests. Pokemon.com has released wallpaper images for mobile devices and desktop computers to commemorate the events.

Source: Pokémon, Night Out Tickets and Wallpaper

• Masayoshi Oishi has released the first part of his project "Pokémon All Stars 1025" to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise. 213 of 1025 Pokémon are named in the first song of the release, with the goal being to name every Pokémon within the project.

Source: Pokémon All Stars 213/1025

• To celebrate 30 million downloads since launch, Pokémon Sleep has released a Special Gift to players consisting of two Main Skill Seeds, two Dream Cluster Ms, two Handy Candy Ms, and 500 Sleep Points, available until June 27th, 2026.

Source: In-game news

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, originally released in 2005 on the GameCube, is now available to play on Nintendo Switch 2, for Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pass subscribers

POKÉMON POKOPIA

Pokémon Pokopia version 1.0.2 launched on March 17th, 2026, correcting multiple bugs and gameplay issues. The Pokémon Company Japan also released an official Cloud Island created by Sashihara Shima, who starred in commercials promoting Pokémon Pokopia in Japan. Sashihara's Cloud Island is accessible using the code MGL4 83P4.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON CHAMPIONS

The Pokémon Company have confirmed that Pokémon Champions, a title focused on the core Pokémon battling experience, will launch on April 8th for Nintendo Switch. Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack will be available from the same day, including the base game and additional in-game bonuses which support early progression. Nintendo Switch 2 owners will get an enhanced visual performance through a free update. It was also announced that returning Mega-Evolved Pokémon which debuted in Pokémon Legends: Z-A will be available in the game, with new abilities.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON TCG

The fourth main Mega Evolution block set, Chaos Rising, will be released on May 22th, 2026. Chaos Rising primarily consists of the Japanese Ninja Spinner expansion and features 86 cards in its base set, including Beedrill ex, Mega Pyroar ex, and Mega Floette ex, with Mega Greninja ex as the headlining Pokémon.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON TCG POCKET

The newest expansion in TCG Pocket, Mega Shine, was released on March 25th, 2026, featuring Shiny and Mega Pokémon such as Mega Charizard X ex, Mega Gengar ex, and more.

Source: Pokémon

GENERAL

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness was added to the GameCube Classics app for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members with a Nintendo Switch 2 on March 18th, 2026. The game is available in Japan, North America and PAL regions, with its predecessor Pokémon Colosseum to be added to the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics app in the future. At the time of this writing, XD: Gale of Darkness is not compatible with Pokémon Home.

Source: Pokémon

Pokémon announced that a new Pokémon Center Satellite store will open on the second floor of the JOINUS building at Yokohama Station on April 9th, 2026.

Source: Pokémon JP

Pokémon Pokopia, the relaxing life simulation game is out now on Nintendo Switch 2

POKÉMON POKOPIA

Pokémon Pokopia was released last week on March 5th, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2. The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced today in a joint statement that the game has surpassed 2.2 million copies sold in its first four days on sale. One million of these sales were in Japan.

Source: Nintendo

The first special limited-time in-game event "More Spores for Hoppip" is currently taking place and runs until March 24th, 2026. During this time, players can befriend Hoppip and gather special cotton spores, which can be exchanged for picnic-themed furniture items. If players then use these items to create habitats, they have the chance to befriend Skiploom and Jumpluff too. The Pokémon Company have confirmed that these Pokémon can't be encountered outside of this event and are only available in towns with a rebuilt Pokémon Center. They won't be available on Cloud Islands either.

All players are currently able to receive a Ditto rug as a bonus for obtaining the game early. This can be obtained by navigating to the Mystery Gifts menu and choosing "Get via Internet," and is available until January 31st, 2027.

Players may also wish to check out the developer's Cloud Island to gather some inspiration, using the code PXQC G03S. In order to gain access to this, players will need to complete challenges until they reach Environment Level 3 in the Withered Wasteland, the area in which you start the game. They can purchase the Mysterious Goggles item from the Pokémon Center PC, and then equip it to their character. There will then be an option to enter the code. A second official Cloud Island code was also shared today QBRK 7FVM, made by Hidetaka Kano, one of the stars of the Pokémon Pokopia commercials in Japan. Players can even make copies of items in these cloud islands by taking photographs of them in “Object Mode” and 3D print them inside Pokémon Centers.

Source: Pokémon

Special icon elements are currently available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers for anyone wishing to customise their profile picture. The first wave of icons were initially available between March 4th and March 11th, with subsequent waves of icons made available each week until April 1st, 2026.

Source: Nintendo Switch Online

GENERAL

The next Pokémon TCG expansion "Chaos Rising" will be released on May 22nd, 2026. The set more mega evolved Pokémon, such as Mega Floette, and Mega Greninja.

Source: Pokémon

The Pokémon Company and Bandai have revealed that a new version of Plakoro, a Pokémon model kit dice construction game from 1997, will launch in July of this year in Japan. No confirmation has been made for a Western release at the time of writing.

Source: Bandai

NHK Symphony Orchestra are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, with special concerts at four different venues, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Pocket Monsters Red & Green. It will take place in August 2026. It will feature a performance of the main theme for Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, games which were revealed last month to release worldwide in 2027.

Source: NHK Symphony Orchestra, PocketMonsters.net

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will release in 2027 on Nintendo Switch 2

POKÉMON PRESENTS

• The latest Pokémon Presents video presentation aired today, giving fans an opportunity to see what the company has in store for the future. Most notably, the newest entries in the Pokémon RPG series were announced as Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves, scheduled to be released in 2027 for the Nintendo Switch 2. They will feature an open world to explore, across several islands and a vast ocean. These games will also feature Brazilian Portuguese as a selectable language. Three brand-new Pokémon were also revealed for players to start their journeys with! Browt, the Bean Chick Pokémon, Pombon, the Puppy Pokémon, and Gecqua, the Water Gecko Pokémon, will be yours to choose from when the game launches worldwide next year.

Source: Pokémon

• A new product called Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue Game Music Collection: Game Boy Jukebox, was announced today for sale in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, modelled after the original Game Boy system, and comes with 45 cartridges which play familiar melodies from these original titles.

Source: Pokémon

• Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness will be re-released on Nintendo Switch Online in March! Originally released on the GameCube in 2005, it is the successor to Pokémon Colosseum, which was previously confirmed to release on the NSO service. Players will need to have a Nintendo Account and active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership in order to access the game.

Source: YouTube

• Details on PokémonXP, a series of events which run alongside the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, were also expanded upon. This all-new fan convention will take place on August 28–30, 2026 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California. It will offer a variety of activities, and events, allowing fans to come together to celebrate their love of Pokémon.

Source: Pokémon

• The upcoming battle-focused game Pokémon Champions will be available on Nintendo Switch in April 2026, and later this year on mobile devices. It will allow players to assemble their ideal team by bringing their Pokémon into the game from Pokémon HOME, and allow them to recruit Pokémon from within the game itself.

Source: Pokémon

• More details about Pokémon Pokopia were also announced, introducing new characters. DJ Rotom is a Rotom which inhabits a mini stereo, which if given some CDs, will allow you to listen to specific tracks from across the Pokémon series, while Chef Dente is a Greedent that teaches players how to cook different meals, which can then be consumed to improve certain moves, or fed to other Pokémon. Multiplayer details were also explained, confirming that Pokémon Pokopia will support up to four players in online multiplayer, and that players can play hide and seek together, as Ditto can transform into different objects. Pokémon Pokopia launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on March 5th, 2026.

Source: Pokémon

• A new Pokémon TCG expansion will release in 2026 to celebrate thirty years of Pokémon, and will release on the same day all around the world. The short trailer during Pokémon Presents showed many classic cards, which may be part of the new celebratory set. Pokémon have confirmed that more details will be shared in the future, and that fans can stay tuned to the latest Pokémon TCG news by visiting the official website.

Source: Pokémon, YouTube

• Mega Garchomp Z was revealed for Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension, which is available to all players who own Pokémon Legends: Z-A, as a Mystery Gift. Players do not need to purchase the Mega Dimension DLC to claim this gift, but the DLC is required to detect this special hyperspace distortion.

Source: Pokémon

Many other updates were announced for games and apps, including Pokémon GO, Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon UNITE, Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon Café ReMix. You can check out all of these announcements, and more, by watching the Pokémon Presents video presentation here.

POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A

• Season 7 of Legends: Z-A's Online Ranked Battles began on February 19th, 2026, rewarding Blazikenite for Rank S so that Mega Blaziken can be used for the first time in Legends: Z-A. As usual, previous Mega Stones that debuted as rewards from Online Ranked Battles (Greninjite, Delphoxite, Chesnaughtite, Baxcalibrite, Sceptilite, and Swampertite) are available as prizes for achieving lower ranks.

Source: Pokémon

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A + Mega Dimension Super Music Complete, a 5-CD, 150-song soundtrack for Legends: Z-A and its DLC expansion will be released in Japan on April 17th, 2026. The set will come with a 36-page booklet, 5 CDs with art of major characters from Z-A with their Mega Evolved Pokémon, and a bonus key ring with 3 acrylic charms for 5,300 yen.

Source: Overlap

• According to Nintendo's quarterly sales report, Legends: Z-A sold 12.3 million copies through December 31st, 2025, with 8.41 million sales on the original Switch and 3.89 million on the Switch 2. Updated sales figures also place Scarlet & Violet at 28.08 million and Sword & Shield at 27.08 million through the end of 2025.

Source: Nintendo

POKÉMON TCG

• The fourth main set of the Mega Evolution block, Ninja Spinner, will be released in Japan on March 13th, 2026. Ninja Spinner will have a base set of 83 cards with a currently-unknown amount of secret rares, and will feature Beedrill ex, Chesnaught, Delphox, and a new AZ Trainer card, with Mega Greninja ex as the headlining Pokémon.

Source: Pokémon JP

POKÉMON TCG POCKET

• The newest expansion in TCG Pocket, Paldean Wonders, released on February 26th, 2026, focusing on Generation 9 Pokémon such as Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Maushold, Meowscarada ex, and Gholdengo ex, as well as Trainers Nemona and Arven, and Stadium Mesagoza. For the first time since Pocket launched in October 2024, Double Rare and Illustration Rare artwork will be reused from the physical TCG for cards in the app.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON GO

• To celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Pokémon Go has introduced a new photo feature, accessed through the main menu of the app, called "What's Your Favorite?" Pokémon Go will reward the player with a small Special Research task and provide multiple ways to share and decorate photos of their chosen favorite Pokémon with their Pokémon Go username.

Source: Pokémon GO

• The Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos event saw the debuts of Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel using the new Super Mega Raid feature. Super Mega Raids require at least eight players and the use of the new Link Charge currency to enter. As part of the update, Mega Evolved Pokémon can reach a new fourth Mega Level, known as Super Max, that grants greatly enhanced CP and increases the chances to receive Catch Candy, Catch XP, and Candy XL when catching Pokémon that share a type with the Mega Evolution.

Source: Pokémon GO

GENERAL

• To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the franchise, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions are available to download from the Nintendo Switch eShop starting today, February 27th, 2026, for 19.99 USD or 16.99 GBP each. The games are sold separately from the Game Boy Advance Nintendo Classics app on Nintendo Switch Online.

Source: Pokémon

• A commercial to promote the 30th anniversary aired during Super Bowl LX on February 8th, 2026. In this commercial, celebrities such as singer/actress Lady Gaga, comedian Trevor Noah, F1 driver Charles Leclerc, actress Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, footballer Lamine Yamal, and singer Jisoo from BLACKPINK shared their favorite Pokémon.

Source: Pokémon

• Pokémon has announced Day Out and Night Out events for fans to connect with each other in real life: "Day Out events will feature family-friendly activities and programming, while Night Out events will have fun surprises in store for longtime fans who grew up with Pokémon. More details on both Day Out and Night Out will be announced in the future."

Source: Pokémon

• The first permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction, PokéPark Kanto, opened in Yomiuriland on February 5th, 2026. PokéPark Kanto features large statues of many Pokémon, attractions such as Pokémon Forest and Sedge Town, Pikachu and Eevee-themed rides, and the Pokémon Daisuki Shop to buy merchandise. Pokemon.com also wrote an English feature that included an interview with Junichi Masuda to promote the park.

Source: Pokémon

• Stern Pinball has released a new Pokémon Pinball machine with three different editions: Pro, Premium, and Limited. The machines include features such as elemental biomes, Gym Battles, and a face-off against Team Rocket's boss, Giovanni.

Source: Pokémon

• The next batch of episodes for Pokémon Horizons: Season 3, subtitled Rising Hope Part 2, will be released on Netflix on March 20th, 2026 in the United States.

Source: Rising Hope Part 2

• Pokémon Cafe Tokyo announced on February 9th, 2026 that it will be temporarily closed for renovations beginning on March 23th, 2026, with a planned reopening in late June 2026.

Source: Pokémon Cafe

Pokémon will mark its 30th anniversary next month

POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A

• Pokémon Legends: Z-A's DLC expansion, Mega Dimension, was released on December 10th, 2025, debuting 18 new Mega Evolutions. The expansion included the previously revealed Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Chimecho, Mega Baxcalibur, and Mega Zeraora, as well as the newly revealed Mega Lucario Z and several others. The official Pokédex was also updated with official artwork for all of the new Mega Evolutions that debuted in Legends: Z-A.

Source: Mega Dimension, Mega Lucario Z debut, Pokédex

• On December 2nd, 2025, alongside Mega Lucario Z being revealed, the Project M side mission was added to Legends: Z-A's base game. To start the mission, the player must first receive a new Mystery Gift, containing both Mewtwonite X and Mewtwonite Y. After receiving Mewtwo's Mega Stones, a mission to battle and capture a Level 70 Mewtwo in the depths of Lysandre Labs becomes available to the player.

Source: Pokémon

• Seasons of Legends: Z-A's Online Ranked Battles have continued regularly since the game's release, with Baxcalibrite debuting in Season 4 and Sceptilite debuting in Season 5, making Mega Baxcalibur and Mega Sceptile available for the first time in Legends: Z-A. Season 6 begins tomorrow (January 30th, 2026) and features the debut of the Swampertite, with Blazikenite set to debut in the following season. To date, all Mega Stones that debuted as rewards for Online Ranked Battles (Greninjite, Delphoxite, Chesnaughtite, Baxcalibrite, and Sceptilite) have remained available as prizes for achieving lower Z-A ranks in the following seasons.

Source: Pokémon, Season 4 rewards, Season 5 rewards

• New icons of Mega Evolutions and characters from Legends: Z-A for use on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 were added to the Nintendo Switch Online app on January 25th, 2026, for 10 Platinum Coins, including the male and female player characters, Canari, Taragon, AZ, Mega Charizard X, Mega Charizard Y, Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Eelektross. Several Legends: Z-A backgrounds were also added for 5 Platinum Coins.

Source: Nintendo Switch Online app

POKÉMON TCG

• The third Mega Evolution expansion, the special set Ascended Heroes, will be released tomorrow (January 30th, 2026)! Ascended Heroes includes over 290 cards and will consist of cards from the 2025 Japanese High Class Set, MEGA Dream ex, and the Japanese Start Deck 100 Battle Collection releases.

Source: Pokémon

• The expansion after that, Perfect Order, will be released on March 27th, 2026. Perfect Order includes over 120 cards, which primarily originate from the Japanese Munikis Zero expansion. It is the first expansion fully dedicated to Legends: Z-A's characters, setting, and Pokémon after MEGA Dream ex had introduced some of the new Mega Evolutions among many reprints. Perfect Order's spotlight Pokémon is Mega Zygarde ex, with Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex, Meowth ex, Naveen, and Jacinthe also appearing.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON TCG POCKET

• The most recent expansion in TCG Pocket, Fantastical Parade, was released on January 29th, 2026, featuring Mega Gardevoir ex, Mega Mawile ex, Teal Mask Ogerpon ex, and more, as well as adding new Stadium cards to the game.

Source: Pokémon

• Crimson Blaze, was released on December 16th, 2025, focusing on Mega Venusaur ex, Mega Charizard Y ex, and Mega Blastoise ex, and consists of 69 cards in the base set with 103 cards total, including secret rares. Crimson Blaze-themed Mega Charizard Y covers and backdrops are available throughout January 2026. Booster packs from the limited special Deluxe Pack ex expansion were also available to open between January 15th and January 28th, 2026.

Source: Pokémon

POKÉMON GO

• On December 8th, 2025, Pokémon GO announced the addition of the long-awaited Remote Trade feature. To unlock the Remote Trade ability, players must achieve the newest level of Friendship added to the game, Forever Friends, which requires 180 total points of Friendship (double the amount of points required to become Best Friends). One Remote Trade can be unlocked at a time between a pair of Forever Friends, at which point the players can select and finalize a Pokémon they are willing to trade, with no distance restriction placed on the trade. After completing a Remote Trade, the function will have to be unlocked again by accumulating additional points of Friendship between a pair of Forever Friends.

Source: Pokémon GO

GENERAL

• Pokémon commemorated the start of 2026 as the year of the franchise’s 30th anniversary by posting a short animation with Pikachu on Twitter to promote Pokémon Day 2026. The logo for Pokémon 30 was also revealed in the clip.

Source: @Pokemon_cojp on Twitter

• Universal Studios Japan has announced a partnership with The Pokémon Company “on a global collaboration rooted in storytelling.” They stated that “by drawing from its expansive worlds and beloved characters, we’re working together to develop new innovative experiences that resonate with fans worldwide.”

Source: Universal Creative

• The first-ever LEGO Pokémon sets were revealed on January 12th, 2026, with pre-orders through LEGO and Pokémon Center's storefronts starting upon reveal. The LEGO sets will be released on February 27th, 2026, and include a 587-piece set of Eevee, a 2,050-piece set of Pikachu with a Pokéball, and a 6,838-piece set featuring Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise. The LEGO Pokémon Kanto Region Badge Collection is also available as a bonus for pre-ordering the Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise set.

Source: Pokémon

• The book Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology, released in Japan in May 2025, will be translated into English and released in the United States and Canada on April 21st, 2026 and in the United Kingdom on April 23rd, 2026. It was written by Yoshinari Yonehara, a researcher of Agricultural and Life Sciences from the University of Tokyo, and illustrated by Chihiro Kinoshita, a Marine Biologist also from the University of Tokyo. The 208-page guide examines "the similarities, differences, generalities, and relationships between Pokémon ecologies."

Source: Pokémon

• A Pokécology exhibit will launch in the United Kingdom's Natural History Museum to celebrate the release of Pokécology: An Illustrated Guide to Pokémon Ecology. A pop-up shop in Cranbourne Boutique will be open from January 26th, 2026, until April 19th, 2026, and a special Pikachu at the Museum oversize promo card will be available as a gift with purchases from the shop beginning January 30th.

Source: Pokémon

• The first batch of episodes for Pokémon Horizons: Season 3 were released on Netflix on January 6th, 2026 under the name Rising Hope Part 1. Part 3 of Season 2 – The Search for Laqua, was also released on January 14th on Amazon, Apple TV, and YouTube.

Source: Season 3 Part 1, Season 2 Part 3

• The companion app that teaches players the basic mechanics of the Pokémon GOITA board game was released on iOS and Android in Japan on December 17th, 2025.

Source: Google Play, iOS