When it was announced that next year’s Pokemon World Championships were heading to Singapore, it felt like I’d won the lottery.I had just spent five days in San Francisco seeing for myself what happens when thousands of fellow Pokemon fans from around the world take over a city.This year’s championships were held from Aug 28 to 30 at Moscone Center and Chase Center, with players competing in the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG), Pokemon Go, Pokemon Unite and the Video Game Championships (VGC).But the competition was only part of the experience – it took place alongside the PokemonXP convention, where fans could shop, play, trade, attend panels and workshops, and generally immerse themselves in all things Pokemon.
Trainers streamed towards the venue wearing character hats, jerseys, plushies and backpacks. Strangers compared pins and traded merch and cards. Phones came out constantly for Pokemon Go, while inside the venue, competitive players battled for world titles. A few halls away, fans shopped, crafted, traded, posed, played – and queued for yet another collectible.And yes, it's coming to Singapore in 2027. The event will take place from Aug 13 to 15 at the Singapore Expo, before moving to the Indoor Stadium for the finals. So what exactly are we in for? Here’s what I experienced over a few exhilarating days attending the Pokemon World Championships.
