Pokémon Day 2026: Everything We've Learned from the 30th Anniversary Pokémon Direct
Today is Pokémon Day and Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. Like all major anniversary events since 2016, the Pokémon Company started off the day by hosting a Pokémon Direct livestream that covered all of the franchise’s upcoming TCG sets, video games and other announcements. So far, we’ve gotten an official announcement for Generation 10, more information about several new video game releases, a new Pokémon convention and so much more. Here’s everything we’ve learned today from the 30th anniversary Pokémon Direct.
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Pokémon Trading Card Game Announcements
Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Pokémon Company dropped a teaser for what we believe is the upcoming Pokémon 30th anniversary set. The Pokémon Direct showed off a compilation of heavy-hitting cards that have been released over the years, including the likes of Base Set Charizard, Lugia from Aquapolis, Pikachu and Zekrom from Tag Team and more. The trailer ends with artwork of Mew and Mewtwo in a glossy style, stating “the future awaits.”
It is likely that this set will be our 30th anniversary “Celebration Collection,” which was trademarked by The Pokémon Company earlier this year. Past anniversary collections have released in October to coincide with the true anniversary of the Pokémon TCG, so we will likely know more around that time. Additionally, this is one of the first Pokémon TCG sets to be released simultaneously around the world. The Pokémon Company has confirmed that this is a special case and future sets will not be released simultaneously in the future.
All Major Pokémon Video Game Announcements
Pokémon Winds and Waves
The newest generation of Pokémon has been officially revealed! Generation 10 will be dubbed Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves and features a tropical region full of sandy beaches and coastal cities. Unlike Alola, the new region seems to lean into an aesthetic similar to Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, with a waterfront town similar to Pacifidlog Town confirmed.
The region’s three starters were revealed during the presentation: the Grass-type Browt, the Fire-type Pombon and the Water-type Gecqua. All three of them are adorable, and we can’t wait to see what their evolutions look like in the future. In addition to the starters, Pokémon from previous regions are set to return in the new region, including many from Generation 3. Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves are set to release worldwide in 2027.
Pokémon Champions
The highly anticipated strategy battle game, Pokémon Champions, finally has a release date! Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 players will have access to the game as early as April 26, 2026. Mobile players will have to wait a little longer, but hopefully not long — the game will release for them later this year.
Developed by The Pokémon Works (Pokémon HOME, Pokémon Sleep, Pokémon Friends), Pokémon Champions is a game focused on pure battling. Players can choose to battle in Casual and Ranked modes, or privately with family and friends. Battles use the same mechanics as the core series games, including abilities, types and moves. Additionally, mechanics like Mega Evolution and Z-moves are returning in Pokémon Champions, so there’s plenty of teambuilding potential.
The game can also link with Pokémon HOME to allow players to use their teams from other games, though Pokémon obtained in Pokémon Champions cannot be deposited into Pokémon HOME.
Pokémon Pokopia
Pokémon Pokopia has some updates, showing off more of the game’s world, characters and mechanics a week before its launch on March 5, 2026. Here’s what we’ve learned about the game during the Pokémon Presents presentation:
- Ditto’s human form can be customized, including hair, skin color and clothing
- Ditto can transform into objects and other Pokémon
- A new Rotom Form (Stereo Rotom, or DJ Rotom) has been discovered and can play music around town
- Greedent (Chef Dente) acts as your chef in the game and teaches you recipes to feed yourself and the Pokémon visiting your town. Eating food enhances Ditto’s abilities and makes moves stronger.
- Pokémon Pokopia can be played with up to four players in Multiplayer Mode. Players can build towns together, visit each other’s towns, play minigames and go on “far away adventures” in “Outings.”
- Legendary Pokémon are confirmed to appear in Pokémon Pokopia, starting with Raikou.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A – Mega Dimension DLC
A new Pokémon has been discovered in the Mega Dimension DLC: Mega Garchomp Z! Players can encounter Mega Garchomp Z in Hyperspace Lumiose after receiving the event through Mystery Gift. After encountering and defeating Mega Garchomp Z in Hyperspace Lumiose, players will receive a Garchompite Z mega stone.
Additionally, Pokémon HOME compatibility is now confirmed for Pokémon Legends: Z-A and will be implemented later this year. Pokémon transferred from Pokémon Legends: Z-A cannot be transferred to other Pokémon games. Players who transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch will receive an alpha Chikorita, alpha Tepig and alpha Totodile as gifts for using the service.
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Retro Game Re-releases
In addition to new Pokémon games releasing later this year and in 2027, The Pokémon Company has announced the re-release of some Pokémon classics. Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version are now available as digital downloads on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 in several languages. The games are confirmed to be compatible with Pokémon HOME and offer wireless trading and battling.
Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch 2 Expansion Pass holders can look forward to playing Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness on the Nintendo Switch 2 Online’s GameCube library. Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness was originally released for the GameCube in 2005 and is the second in the Orre series (Pokémon Colosseum has not yet been announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 Online).
Considered a classic by older fans, Pokémon XD sets a darker tone for the series by having players snag Shadow Pokémon — Pokémon that have been corrupted and closed the door to their hearts — from an evil organization called Cipher. Pokémon XD is set to release on Nintendo Switch 2’s Online GameCube library in March 2026.
All Mobile Game Announcements
Pokémon has several mobile games running simultaneously with their console games. Here’s what was announced for each title:
Pokémon Go
Pokémon Go celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. The Pokémon Company and Niantic have announced an “All Out” event that will allow trainers to encounter nearly every single Pokémon currently released in the game, not including Mythical Pokémon, Ultra Beasts, costumed Pokémon or certain species of Pokémon not normally found in the wild.
A Pokémon GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe will be available starting March 3. Players will get the GO Pass for free and can upgrade to the GO Pass Deluxe by purchasing it in the app store. The GO Pass lets players earn GO Points during the 30th anniversary event, which can be exchanged for rewards such as encounters with Mewtwo and other Kanto Pokémon, candy and more.
Ditto can be encountered as different Pokémon in the wild during the 30th anniversary event. Meanwhile, many different raids will begin appearing around the world, including Pikachu wearing different trainers’ hats, Legendary, Mythical and Ultra Beast Pokémon and more.
Pokémon TCG Pocket
A new set called Paldean Wonders released on February 25 on Pokémon TCG Pocket. It features Pokémon and trainers from the Paldea region, with cards featuring Arven and the three Paldea starters.
Pokémon Unite
Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno join the fray in Pokémon Unite starting today! In addition, the three Johto starters’ final evolutions — Meganium, Typhlosion and Feraligatr — are confirmed for later this year. Finally, an Electrode Volleyball World Tour was announced for later in 2026.
Pokémon Masters EX
Three new sync pairs have been confirmed for Pokémon Masters EX! These include Red (1996) and Pikachu, Florian and Ogerpon and Juliana and Terapagos. Red (1996) will be available during the just-started “Rumors of a Strange Red” event, while Florian and Juliana will be introduced later this year.
Pokémon Sleep
Blink and you’ll miss it — Mew is appearing in Pokémon Sleep starting February 27 (tonight!). Additionally, Latias and Latios will appear in the game later this year. Make sure to get some good sleep to encounter these Legendary Pokémon.
Pokémon Café ReMix
A starter roundup has been announced for Pokémon Café ReMix. All starters announced up until today will be available to recruit during the event. Meanwhile, The Pokémon Company confirms that more Pokémon will continue to be added during 2026.
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Other Announcements
PokémonXP / Pokémon World Championships San Francisco
A brand-new celebration event has been announced and will take place alongside this year’s Pokémon World Championships event in San Francisco. The event, called PokémonXP, is the first Pokémon fan convention hosted by The Pokémon Company International. It will include activities such as cosplay contests, panels, autograph and special guest meetup opportunities, fan workshops, pin trading and a Pokémon Center pop-up shop.
PokemonXP will run concurrently with the Pokémon World Championships, which is to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, on August 28-30, 2026. The Pokémon World Championships will feature the best talent competing in Pokémon Champions, the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Go and Pokémon Unite.
Pokémon Game Boy Music Player
The Pokémon Company has announced an interesting and nostalgic peripheral: The Pokémon Game Boy Music Player. The music player is shaped like a miniature Game Boy and acts like a cassette player. Players can listen to up to 45 different songs from Pokémon Red and Blue by inserting Game Boy-themed Pokémon cartridges into the Game Boy. Each cartridge holds only one song, so consumers will have to collect all 45 to listen to the full library.
What was your favorite announcement from the Pokémon Direct? If you plan to grab the newest Pokémon TCG 30th Anniversary set, or collect some of the newest Pokémon games, consider sending them to CGC for expert authentication, grading and encapsulation to preserve them for decades to come. Go here to learn how to submit.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.
CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 100 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs and stamps.