The Pokémon Company has confirmed exclusive merchandise for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships: a limited Pokémon Center pop-up at San Francisco’s Moscone Center will sell four event-only plush — two Pikachu variants, plus Charizard and Kirlia — during the combined Pokémon World Championships and PokémonXP events running August 28–30, 2026.
The pop-up is open only to individuals registered for the events, and reservation invitations are scheduled to go out in early August.
Event-only plush details
The company describes the two Pikachu plush as celebratory designs tied to the pair of events.
One male Pikachu is themed as a reigning champion, outfitted with a cape and a decorative crown to mark the World Championships, while the female Pikachu wears a space jacket and a star-filled helmet designed with room for her ears, reflecting the PokémonXP branding.
Charizard’s plush is detailed with protective goggles and a backpack fashioned to resemble a flame-spewing rocket, matching the travel-and-exploration motif for PokémonXP.
The Kirlia plush is posable and accessorized for travel with a wide-brim hat sporting a Butterfree charm and a trunk-style bag that features a Butterfree silhouette.
Availability and access
The Pokémon Center pop-up will operate inside the Moscone Center from August 28 to August 30, 2026.
Purchases at the pop-up are restricted to registered attendees of the World Championships and PokémonXP; The Pokémon Company has stated that reservation invites will be distributed in early August to those registered for either event.
No online or eShop listings have been announced for these plush as of the company’s statement, confirming their event-exclusive status.
Context and relevance
The Pokémon franchise has long been a staple on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, and physical event merchandising remains a core part of the competitive and fan-event experience.
While core Pokémon game announcements often appear on Nintendo Direct or surface via the Nintendo eShop, The Pokémon Company continues to use in-person events to offer limited-run collectibles and experiential merchandise to attendees.
For collectors and attendees, the Moscone Center pop-up represents a rare opportunity to acquire officially licensed, event-exclusive plush tied to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships and PokémonXP.
The pop-up is open only to individuals registered for the events, and reservation invitations are scheduled to go out in early August.
Event-only plush details
The company describes the two Pikachu plush as celebratory designs tied to the pair of events.
One male Pikachu is themed as a reigning champion, outfitted with a cape and a decorative crown to mark the World Championships, while the female Pikachu wears a space jacket and a star-filled helmet designed with room for her ears, reflecting the PokémonXP branding.
Charizard’s plush is detailed with protective goggles and a backpack fashioned to resemble a flame-spewing rocket, matching the travel-and-exploration motif for PokémonXP.
The Kirlia plush is posable and accessorized for travel with a wide-brim hat sporting a Butterfree charm and a trunk-style bag that features a Butterfree silhouette.
Availability and access
The Pokémon Center pop-up will operate inside the Moscone Center from August 28 to August 30, 2026.
Purchases at the pop-up are restricted to registered attendees of the World Championships and PokémonXP; The Pokémon Company has stated that reservation invites will be distributed in early August to those registered for either event.
No online or eShop listings have been announced for these plush as of the company’s statement, confirming their event-exclusive status.
Context and relevance
The Pokémon franchise has long been a staple on Nintendo platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, and physical event merchandising remains a core part of the competitive and fan-event experience.
While core Pokémon game announcements often appear on Nintendo Direct or surface via the Nintendo eShop, The Pokémon Company continues to use in-person events to offer limited-run collectibles and experiential merchandise to attendees.
For collectors and attendees, the Moscone Center pop-up represents a rare opportunity to acquire officially licensed, event-exclusive plush tied to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships and PokémonXP.
