The inaugural PokemonXP event and the 2026 Pokemon World Championships wrapped up in San Francisco this past weekend, and among the flood of announcements, Pokemon GO Trainers came away with some of the biggest news of all - Mega-Evolved Pokemon are finally storming the GO Battle League. The Pokemon Company International revealed the update alongside a stacked slate of reveals spanning new movies, LEGO builds, and the Pokemon Trading Card Game.
It was a landmark year for the mobile game, too. Pokemon GO celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since the game first launched in 2016. To mark the occasion, developer Niantic is rolling out some genuinely big battle changes.
What's New for Pokemon GO Battles?
The headline here is that Mega-Evolved Pokemon are getting a power boost and a permanent home in competitive play. Here's what's coming:
For the first time in Pokemon GO, eligible Mega-Evolved Pokemon will gain access to a third Charged Attack, opening up new strategic possibilities and fresh ways to battle friends and rivals.
Starting next season, Trainers will be able to use Mega-Evolved Pokemon at all levels in the GO Battle League.
Armored Mewtwo is making its return to Pokemon GO soon.
A third Charged Attack is a big deal for the meta - it gives Mega Pokemon more coverage and flexibility than ever, and being able to bring them into the GO Battle League at all levels should shake up team-building in a major way.
Where Are the 2027 World Championships?
The next stop on Victory Road takes Trainers to Singapore for the 2027 Pokemon World Championships at Singapore EXPO, with more details promised in the future.
Who Won the 2026 Pokemon World Championships?
Congratulations to all this year's champions across every division. In the Pokemon GO competition, Hiroki "GGs489hiromaru" Yamauchi of Japan took first place, with Maxwell "MEweedle" Ember of Switzerland finishing second. In Pokemon UNITE, Japan's Zeta Division claimed the top spot ahead of Europe's KOMAÏ.
Official Press Release
Quote From The Pokemon Company International London, UK - Aug. 31, 2026 - It was a weekend to remember in San Francisco as Trainers from across the globe descended upon the inaugural PokemonXP event and the 2026 Pokemon World Championships, where this year's champions were crowned while Trainers made new memories that will last a lifetime. Fans were also treated to a variety of new announcements from the closing ceremonies and from panels during the weekend.
2027 Pokemon World Championships Will Journey to Singapore Next Year
The next stop on Victory Road will take Trainers to Singapore for the 2027 Pokemon World Championships at Singapore EXPO. More details will be shared in the future."Pokemon: Wild Card," an All-New Feature-Length Animated Movie, Announced for Release Beginning in 2027
"Pokemon: Wild Card" will be the first release of a Pokemon movie in years. The story follows an aspiring Pokemon Trading Card Game player and Mimikyu, the Disguise Pokemon. In production with STORY inc. and CloverWorks, one of Japan's top animation studios, Trainers can look forward to this animated film adventure coming soon.Z Mega Evolutions Debuting in Pokemon Champions
Pokemon that can undergo Z Mega Evolution will make their debut in Pokemon Champions on Sept. 9, 2026, alongside other Pokemon. Mega Lucario Z, Mega Garchomp Z and Mega Absol Z will be appearing in addition to Baxcalibur and Rillaboom. Trainers can also look forward to more information on Heatran joining battles in the future.Exclusive Teaser Trailer Debuts for "Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu," Coming Exclusively to Disney+ in 2027
Fans enjoyed a special "Behind the Scenes with Aardman - 'Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu'" presentation. Phil Rynda, Pokemon's director of original animation, was joined by key creatives from Aardman, one of Britain's most celebrated animation studios - creators of "Shaun the Sheep" and "Wallace & Gromit." Aardman's Tom Parkinson (director), Nat McKay (creative director, IP development) and James Young (model making creative lead) shared how their team is combining character, comedy and craft to create the brand-new hilarious stop-motion adventure set in Pokemon's Galar region. Disney+ was revealed as the exclusive streaming home for the series, set to debut in 2027. The news led into the session's biggest fan moment: the world premiere of a brand-new teaser trailer giving audiences their best glimpse yet at the misadventures ahead.Five New LEGO Pokemon Creatures Teased for 2027; World's Biggest LEGO Pokemon Builds Showcased
During the on-stage panel "LEGO Pokemon: You're the Trainer Now," fans were treated to an exclusive tease of five new LEGO Pokemon creatures coming in 2027, with launch details to be announced soon. In addition, 10,500 fans contributed to a life-size community build of the Legendary Pokemon Rayquaza, placing more than 400,000 2x4 LEGO bricks over the weekend in a build measuring over 25 feet (7 meters) long, 10 feet (3 meters) tall and weighing more than 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms). Also unveiled were the world's largest-ever LEGO Pokemon builds, bringing Venusaur, Charizard and Blastoise to life with more than 393,000 LEGO bricks. Weighing approximately 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms), the towering models took 1,856 hours (77 days) to complete.New Pokemon GO Battle Features Announced, Bringing Mega-Evolved Pokemon to GO Battle League
This year, Pokemon GO celebrated its 10th anniversary, marking a decade since the mobile game first launched in 2016. For the first time in Pokemon GO, eligible Mega-Evolved Pokemon will gain access to a third Charged Attack, introducing new strategic possibilities and ways for Trainers to battle their friends and rivals. Starting next season, Trainers will also be able to use Mega-Evolved Pokemon at all levels in GO Battle League. Additionally, Armored Mewtwo will be making its return to Pokemon GO soon. For more information about the Pokemon GO mobile game, visit PokemonGO.com.Powerful New Pokemon Cards Revealed Alongside New ex★ Series for the Pokemon Trading Card Game
The Pokemon TCG unveiled powerful new Pokemon cards such as Mega Lucario Z ex, marking the debut of Z Mega Evolution Pokemon in the iconic game. More Mega attack rare cards will also be coming soon to the Pokemon TCG, including Mega Rayquaza ex, Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Greninja ex and Mega Zygarde ex. In addition, fans were treated to an exciting appearance from formidable Legendary Pokemon Raikou, Entei and Suicune, coming soon to the Pokemon TCG in the newly revealed ex★ Series. More details will be shared in the future.Dual-Type Pokemon Coming Soon to Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Beginning October 2026, players will be able to expand their card collections in the globally popular Pokemon TCG Pocket app with the introduction of dual-type Pokemon in the game's next series. More information will be available at a later date.Morpeko, Toxtricity, Jolteon and Flareon Join the Fray in Pokemon UNITE
Morpeko, Toxtricity, Jolteon and Flareon were announced as the latest playable Pokemon coming soon to Pokemon UNITE. Stay tuned for further updates on their unique moves and roles in the game. For more information about Pokemon UNITE, please visit Unite.Pokemon.com.For more information, visit PokemonXP.com and Pokemon.com/Worlds. Learn more about the Play! Pokemon program at Play.Pokemon.com.
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