Every year, the Pokémon World Championships deliver some of the most sought-after TCG promo cards on the planet, and 2026 is no different. Revealed during the closing ceremony of the North America International Championships in New Orleans, this year’s lineup of promos covers everyone from competitive players to casual fans attending the event. Here is a full breakdown of every card, how to get each one, and what else is coming to San Francisco this August.
When and Where Is the 2026 Pokémon World Championships?
The 2026 Pokémon World Championships takes place in San Francisco, California, from August 28 to 30, 2026. Running alongside it for the first time ever is PokémonXP, an official fan convention hosted by The Pokémon Company that focuses on panels, signings, and fan activities rather than competitive play.
All Four 2026 Worlds Promo Cards at a Glance
| Promo Card | How to Get It | Who Is Eligible |
| Paradise Resort | Included in the Worlds Welcome Kit | Competitors only |
| Pikachu (standard) | Worlds Celebration Tournaments at local Play! Pokémon Stores (Aug 21-30) | Tournament participants |
| Pikachu (Winner stamp) | Top finishers at Worlds Celebration Tournaments | Tournament winners per age bracket |
| Rayquaza (PXP stamped) | Given to all badged attendees | All Worlds and PokémonXP attendees |
The Paradise Resort Promo Card
The Paradise Resort promo card returns for 2026 and remains exclusive to players who compete at the World Championships. It features a gold World Championships 2026 stamp and showcases Pikachu, Sylveon, Archaludon, Klawf, and more set against the Paradise Resort backdrop.
This card has been produced for Worlds competitors every year since 2022, and its predecessors have consistently held significant resale value. The 2023 version currently sits at around $600 at its lowest on the secondary market, while the 2024 version sits at around $400 and last year’s at around $250. Expect this year’s edition to follow a similar trajectory.
The Worlds Pikachu Promo Card
The Pikachu promo card for 2026 features Gardevoir and a city skyline with what appears to be San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge in the background, alongside a World Championships 2026 stamp. The art draws a direct connection to the event’s host city and references Gardevoir as the Masters Division winner from the previous year’s Worlds.
You can pick up this card by attending a Worlds Celebration Tournament at a local Play! Pokémon Store between August 21 and August 30. Players who cannot travel to San Francisco can still get their hands on this promo through these local events. The card may also become available at the Pokémon Center online using a special code, similar to how the 2025 Worlds Pikachu promo was distributed.
However, top finishers at those Celebration Tournaments across all three age brackets (Junior, Senior, and Masters) will receive a special variant of the card with a “WINNER” gold stamp, alongside a microfiber cloth, deck box, and card sleeves.
The PokémonXP Rayquaza Promo Card
All badged attendees of both the Pokémon World Championships and PokémonXP will receive a stamped Rayquaza card. This is a version of the Ascended Heroes Rayquaza card featuring a PXP stamp, making it the most accessible of the four promos given the large number of attendees expected across both events.
The 2026 Worlds Welcome Kit
Competitors who register for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships will receive an exclusive Welcome Kit containing a backpack, playmat, card sleeves, a deck box, a T-shirt, a hat, and additional themed merchandise. The Champions line, awarded exclusively to World Champions across each division, was also previewed during the closing ceremony.
Two Pikachu Plush Are Also Coming
Two exclusive Pikachu plush figures are heading to the event. The World Championships Pikachu features Pikachu dressed in a crown and cape, while the PokémonXP Pikachu puts the mascot in a space suit with Cosmog motifs. The PokémonXP Pikachu plush will be available to purchase at the Pokémon Center on-site and marks the first-ever PokémonXP celebratory plush.
What Else Is at PokémonXP?
PokémonXP is the first fan convention of its kind from The Pokémon Company, running concurrently with the World Championships but focused entirely on community activities. Confirmed exhibitors and partners attending include LEGO, Crocs, Funko, Santa Cruz, Stern Pinball, Build-A-Bear, Jazwares, Bandai, Spirits, and Sideshow, among others.
One More Thing: NAIC Is Moving
Alongside the Worlds reveals, The Pokémon Company confirmed that the North America International Championships will leave New Orleans after three consecutive years and move to Chicago, Illinois for the 2027 season.
For anyone who cannot make it to San Francisco this August, the local Worlds Celebration Tournaments at Play! Pokémon Stores remain your best shot at the Pikachu promo. For everyone else, the Paradise Resort card is going to be the one to watch on the secondary market.
Source: Pokemon Official Press Release June 14, 2026
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