Pokémon's 30th anniversary: When is it and what to expect
Good riddance, skinny Pikachu.
2026 marks 30 years since Pokémon first graced our screens, and The Pokémon Company is not holding back when it comes to celebrating.
This year is going to see all sorts of collaborations, crossovers and more to mark the occasion, so whether you love the game, TCG or anime, there's something for you.
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.
This date marks the anniversary of Pokémon Red and Green first releasing for the Game Boy back in 1996.
Since then, Pokémon has gone on to become one of, if not the biggest franchise in gaming, spawning endless spinoffs into film and TV, a card game and much more.
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What to expect from Pokémon's 30th anniversary
On New Year's Day 2026, official Pokémon social media channels posted a teaser for this year's Pokémon Day, featuring Pikachu's original, chubbier design.
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The caption, translated from Japanese, teases that "this year is going to be the best one yet," confirming that there's plenty in store.
The first major expectation players have, is that Generation 10 games will finally be announced, following a huge leak in October that alluded to 'Pokémon Winds and Waves'.
Aside from that, we do at least have one confirmed Pokémon game on the way, with Animal Crossing-like Pokémon Pokopia arriving in March.
Beyond that, Pokémon has already confirmed collaborations with several major companies, including clothing brands like Adidas and Uniqlo, new Pokémon LEGO sets, and limited-edition Pokémon TCG cards available in McDonald's Happy Meals.
There's sure to be plenty more where that came from, but for now, it looks like we're going to have to wait for Pokémon Day 2026 to find out the rest.
Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
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