When & What to Expect From Pokemon Day 2026

Pokemon Day isn’t just another date on the calendar; it’s the most anticipated annual celebration in the monster-catching universe, occurring on the same day the original Pokemon Red and Green launch back in Japan, on February 27, 1996. In 2026, the stakes for Pokemon as a franchise are higher than ever, and not just because of another Pokemon Presents broadcast, but because this year marks Pokemon’s 30th anniversary and the next big chapter in the series has to be announced.

"This Year is Going to Be the Best One Yet" Pokemon Hypes Up 30th Anniversary Plans

Set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, Pokemon teases major plans for fans during the new year by hyping it up as the best one yet.

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By Derek Nichols

When and What to Expect from Pokemon Presents 2026 — The Main Event

Like its predecessors, Pokemon Day 2026 will center around a Pokemon Presents livestream, likely streaming globally in the early afternoon Central European Time, which means very early in the morning for EST time zones in the US, and even earlier for the West Coast (based on historical scheduling). This showcase typically runs between 15 and 30 minutes and is packed with trailers, surprises, and official news straight from The Pokemon Company.

Expect the following:

Official release dates on upcoming titles (i.e., Pokemon Champions)
World premiere gameplay trailers (i.e., new releases in Pokemon Unite)
Teases for brand-new projects (i.e., Pokemon Wind and Wave)
Updates across mobile and console Pokemon experiences (i.e., a Pokemon TCG Pocket expansion)

Pokemon Presents has consistently served as the franchise’s roadmap for the year, and 2026’s anniversary backdrop basically guarantees bigger news than usual.

Big Game Announcements and Pokemon Gen 10

Pokemon Gen 10 Reveal on Pokemon Day 2026

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Seeing how Pokemon Legends: Arceus was the "one more thing" on the 25th anniversary of the franchise, and seeing how Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's reveal came at the end of the Pokemon Presents show on Pokemon Day 2022, it makes sense that Gen 10 games will be revealed this February as the final leg of the presentation. This is in line with previous big announcements and showcases, and it's basically guaranteed that Pokemon Gen 10 will be there, with the best release date being the holiday season of 2026 to celebrate 30 years of Pokemon. This will be the biggest announcement of the year, but don't expect much from it other than a confirmation of the titles, some loose details about characters and setting, and a first look at Pokemon Gen 10 starters.

Pokemon Legends: Z-A — What’s Next?

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After the major release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A last year, including the Mega Dimension DLC from December 2025, many trainers are expecting new details in 2026. This could include:

An exclusive event to get Mega Garchomp Z
Release timing and details for future ranked seasons for Pokemon Legends: Z-A
Possible event schedule for 2026, including special shiny Pokemon

Pokemon Champions Details

Gardevoir uses Moonlight on Hydreigon - Pokemon Champions

First unveiled on Pokemon Day 2025, Pokemon Champions is a strategic, cross-platform battle Pokemon game slated for a 2026 release on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. It’s expected to support:

Multiplayer and cross-play
Pokemon Home integration
Classic mechanics, like Mega Evolution and Dynamax

Pokemon Day 2026 could finally lock in a release date or show a blockbuster launch trailer for this long-anticipated spin-off, revealing more about the scope and purpose of it. It could become the new battle-centric hub for VGC.

Pokemon Pokopia Gameplay

Nintendo recently confirmed that Pokemon Pokopia, a creative, sandbox-style cozy game like Stardew Valley, will launch in early March 2026 for the Nintendo Switch 2, making it a prime candidate for a Pokemon Day spotlight. Fans should expect a fresh gameplay trailer or a deep dive into its unique building and exploration mechanics.

Mobile, TCG, GO, and Beyond — Broad Pokemon Franchise Coverage

Historical Pokemon Day presentations show that the celebration isn’t limited to console titles, as mobile games typically receive significant support through new events and releases. Previous events brought:

Major Pokemon TCG Pocket expansions and special booster announcements
Free in-game bonuses for Scarlet and Violet
Live events and in-game activities spanning across Pokemon Go, Unite, and more

Expect 2026’s edition to continue this trend, with special anniversary items, bonus content, and unique cross-game tie-ins rolling out alongside the main broadcast.

LEGO Pokemon Sets in 2026

Since this year marks the release of the first LEGO Pokemon sets ever, with the first batch including the already popular collector LEGO set for Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, it makes sense for more sets to be revealed on Pokemon Day. There are several other leaked sets for 2026, and Pokemon Day could confirm or debunk them.

February 27, 2026, is also when the first Pokemon sets will be released.

30 Years of Pokemon: Anniversary Surprises

With 2026 marking three decades of Pokemon, the celebration could stretch beyond simple game news:

30th Anniversary Merch Announcements — Likely exclusive figurines, apparel, plushies, and collectibles supporting the franchise’s history.
Retro Throwbacks and Nostalgia Moments — Pokemon has already teased nostalgic elements like the classic Pikachu design in 2026 promotions, and a 30th anniversary showcase may lean into more beloved Pokemon memories.
Potential Remakes or Classic Game Remasters — Rumors suggest that Nintendo could surprise fans with updates or remasters of old Pokemon games, which have long been requested by fans and would perfectly fit the bill of the 30th anniversary.