Pokémon fans worldwide are marking February 27, 2026, as Pokémon Day, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the franchise's debut with the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan. The milestone is highlighted by a special Pokémon Presents video presentation scheduled for the day, promising a slate of announcements across games, trading cards, merchandise and more.

Motion controls are compulsory to catch Pokémon in 'Let's Go Pikachu' and 'Let's Go Eevee.'
Pokemon

The Pokémon Company announced the event on February 20, inviting Trainers to tune in for what officials describe as the start of a year-long celebration. The 25-minute Pokémon Presents is set to air at 6 a.m. PST (9 a.m. EST, 2 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. CET, 11 p.m. JST), livestreamed on the official Pokémon YouTube, Twitch, Instagram and TikTok channels. A 30-minute countdown begins beforehand in some regions.

"This Pokémon Day marks the beginning of Pokémon's 30-year celebration," The Pokémon Company stated in its press release. "Start the festivities off right by tuning in to a new Pokémon Presents presentation... to get the latest news and updates from the world of Pokémon—then get ready for a year's worth of Pokémon fun!"

Speculation is high for major reveals, particularly regarding Generation 10 mainline games, the first new core series entry since Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launched in 2022. Community discussions on forums like Bulbagarden and Reddit point to a potential late 2026 release window, following the pattern of recent generations. While no official confirmation has surfaced ahead of the stream, fans anticipate at least a teaser trailer or title announcement to launch the anniversary year strongly.

Other rumored highlights include updates on Pokémon Champions, the official competitive game tied to the 2026 Pokémon Video Game World Championships scheduled for August 28-30 in an as-yet-unannounced location, with qualifiers in June. Additional expectations cover mobile titles like Pokémon GO and Pokémon TCG Pocket, ongoing competitive scene developments, animated projects and potential remakes or ports of classic titles.

The company has already dropped related news in the lead-up. Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, the beloved Game Boy Advance remakes of the original games, were confirmed for Nintendo Switch availability around the announcement period, exciting longtime fans eager to revisit Kanto with modern features. This follows a pattern of surprise classic re-releases timed to Pokémon Day.

Merchandise and collectibles are also front and center. The Pokémon TCG: Pokémon Day 2026 Collection launched January 30, featuring a stamped foil Pikachu promo card, a special metallic coin with anniversary branding and three booster packs from various expansions. Limited-edition items, including First Partner Illustration packs, Bulbasaur League promos and collaborations like Santa Cruz skateboards, have surfaced through Pokémon Center and retail partners.

Nintendo is hosting in-store events at Nintendo NEW YORK and Nintendo SAN FRANCISCO, inviting fans to celebrate with themed activities, photo ops and giveaways. eBay and other platforms are running Pokémon Day promotions, including exclusive drops and sales on trading cards and memorabilia.

The 30th anniversary extends beyond the day itself. The Pokémon Company Group has teased broader initiatives, including the first-ever LEGO Pokémon sets debuting starting February 27, allowing builders to construct iconic Pokémon and scenes. New Pokémon Center merchandise waves are expected, with reports of over a dozen items dropping in conjunction with the anniversary.

Fan excitement is palpable across social media, where communities share favorite memories, speculate on announcements and countdown to the stream. In regions like Australia and Japan where February 27 arrives earlier due to time zones, celebrations have already begun, with users posting about rewatching classic anime episodes and preparing viewing parties.

Pokémon Day has grown into a global event since its informal recognition, evolving into an annual showcase for The Pokémon Company to deliver franchise updates. Past presentations have unveiled major titles like Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet expansions, alongside TCG sets, mobile features and animated series.

This year's focus on the 30th milestone positions it as potentially one of the biggest. With the franchise maintaining massive popularity—bolstered by recent successes in games, cards and media—expectations are for substantial content to sustain momentum through 2026 and beyond.

As the livestream approaches, Trainers are advised to check official channels for any last-minute details or pre-show content. Whether the presentation delivers long-awaited Generation 10 news, competitive updates or surprise nostalgia drops, Pokémon Day 2026 promises to launch the anniversary in style.

For fans unable to watch live, replays will be available shortly after on the same platforms. The day serves not only as a reflection on three decades of catching, battling and collecting but also as a launchpad for the next era of Pokémon adventures.