Pokémon’s 30th anniversary: When is it and what to expect

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In 2026, it will be 30 years since Pokémon first appeared, and The Pokémon Company is planning a big celebration to mark the milestone.

To celebrate this special year, expect lots of exciting partnerships and combined events. There will be something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of the video game, trading card game, or anime!

Here’s what you need to know about when Pokémon’s 30th anniversary takes place and what’s in store.

When is Pokémon’s 30th anniversary?

Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary on 27th February 2026, otherwise known as Pokémon Day.

Today marks the anniversary of the original Pokémon Red and Green games, which were first released for the Game Boy in 1996.

Wow, Pokémon has really blown up since it first came out! It’s become one of the biggest names in gaming, and it’s amazing how much it’s expanded – with movies, TV shows, the trading card game, and just so many other things! It’s incredible to see how far it’s come.

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What to expect from Pokémon’s 30th anniversary

To kick off Pokémon Day 2026, the official Pokémon social media accounts shared a sneak peek. The teaser showed an early version of Pikachu—a bit rounder and chubbier than the Pikachu we know today.

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The caption, originally written in Japanese, hints that exciting things are coming this year, promising it will be the best one yet.

Many players are eagerly anticipating the announcement of Generation 10 Pokémon games. This expectation stems from a significant leak in October which hinted at titles potentially called ‘Pokémon Winds and Waves’.

Good news! We know at least one Pokémon game is coming soon: Pokémon Pokopia, which plays a bit like Animal Crossing, is scheduled to be released in March.

In addition to all of this, Pokémon is partnering with big names like Adidas and Uniqlo for clothing lines. New Pokémon LEGO sets are also coming soon, and you’ll be able to find special Pokémon trading cards in McDonald’s Happy Meals for a limited time.

We can expect more announcements in the future, but it seems we’ll have to wait until Pokémon Day 2026 to learn all the details.

Authors

Alex RaisbeckGaming writer
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2026-01-07 16:07