Overview
- The Pokémon Company International announced Sunday at the NAIC closing ceremony that the North America International Championships will move from New Orleans to Chicago’s McCormick Place for 2027.
- TPCi reported attendance rose roughly 150% and said New Orleans' venue no longer offered the space needed to add tournament brackets and fan-focused activities.
- McCormick Place is the largest convention center in North America and was chosen for its extra floor space and strong transport links that help international competitors reach the event.
- The announcement also included operational details for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco and a PokémonXP partners list that names LEGO, Funko, Crocs and others.
- The 2026 NAIC concluded with champions crowned across Pokémon Champions, the TCG, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE, and TPCi said moving to Chicago aims to preserve competitive integrity while growing casual and family experiences.