After an electrifying weekend in New Orleans, the 2026 Pokémon North America International Champions were crowned across Pokémon Champions, Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO, and UNITE. Attendees also received exciting announcements about PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco this August. Chicago was named host for the 2027 North America International Championships.
The 2027 Pokémon North America International Championships moves to Chicago!
After three years in New Orleans, the Pokémon NAIC (North America International Championships) will have a new place to call home, the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois. It will be taking place at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago in 2027.
New PokémonXP and Pokémon World Championships Partners
Trainers who were either in attendance at the NAIC in New Orleans, or watching the livestream at home via on the Official Pokémon channels were treated to a first look at the new partners that will be exhibiting at PokémonXP and the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco later this year. The new partners include LEGO, Santa Cruz, Crocs, Funko, Stern Pinball, Build-A-Bear, Jazwares, Bandai Spirits, Sideshow and more. For more information can be found at PokémonXP’s website.
2026 Pokémon World Championships Paradise Resort Card, Promo Card and Welcome Kit Revealed
A first look at the much-anticipated 2026 Pokémon World Championships welcome kit and champion line is here, straight out of New Orleans consisting of: 2026 Paradise Resort card, 2026 Pokémon World Championships promo cards and the PokémonXP promo card. Giving trainers a tease of what they can expect when they make their way to San Francisco later this year. More information can be found at the Official Pokémon website, including how to collect these cards at local stores for those who aren’t able to join their fellow Trainers in San Francisco.
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The 2026 North America International Champions Crowned
The 2026 North America International Champions were crowned during the weekend, a weekend filled with nonstop thrills, suspense, and breathtaking battles. Congratulations to the competitors who competed in this year’s NAIC and the champions who were crowned during the weekend.
Video Game Junior Division:
- 1st place: Damon Zhu (NZ)
- 2nd place: Asher Garrett (US)
Video Game Senior Division:
- 1st place: Conner Pietrusinski (US)
- 2nd place: Matteo Boschmans (BE)
Video Game Masters Division:
- 1st place: Francisco Pio Pero (IT)
- 2nd place: Eric Rios (ES)
Trading Card Game Junior Division:
- 1st place: Luke Giffen (US)
- 2nd place: Annabelle Oono (US)
Trading Card Game Senior Division:
- 1st place: David Boehmler (US)
- 2nd place: Hikaru Handa (AU)
Trading Card Game Masters Division:
- 1st place: James Kowalski (US)
- 2nd place: Neddy Kosek (CZ)
Pokémon GO:
- 1st place: Ryan “PsyRhino” Shoushi (US)
- 2nd place: Sameep “TheTaurian22” Grover (CA)
Pokémon UNITE:
- 1st place: Dignitas (NA)
- 2nd place: Evil Geniuses (NA)
Source: Press Release
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