Pokémon North America International Championships Relocating to Chicago in 2027
The Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) will move to Chicago, Illinois, in 2027, after three years hosted in New Orleans, Louisiana. The move to McCormick Place Convention Center aims to accommodate the tournament's significant growth, with attendance increasing by over 150%. The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) cited Chicago's enhanced geographical accessibility and capacity for expansion as key factors in the decision.
The Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) will relocate from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Chicago, Illinois, starting in 2027. This decision was announced at the closing ceremonies of the recent Pokémon NAIC event in New Orleans, and the tournament will be held at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center.
Chris Brown, Director and Global Esports and Events Producer for The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), stated that Chicago offers significant advantages despite New Orleans being "fantastic." TPCi considers geographical accessibility, room for growth, and what Brown casually referred to as "vacationability" when planning large-scale events. He noted that Chicago "checks all the boxes."
Regarding geographical accessibility, FlightConnections.com data indicates that Chicago's airport, the largest in the U.S., provides direct flights from 281 airports across 49 countries. This contrasts with New Orleans, which has direct flights from 55 airports in four countries. Brown highlighted the importance of this accessibility, noting that 48 countries and regions were represented at the New Orleans event.
The Pokémon NAIC has experienced substantial growth, exceeding TPCi's three-year attendance goal in just two years with an attendance increase of over 150%. This year, all entry badges for the event sold out. Brown explained that while New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is large, securing enough space simultaneously has become challenging due to its high demand.
TPCi aims to grow both the competition and fan programming for its events, striving to treat both competitors and fans equally. Brown confirmed that Chicago provides the necessary space for this expansion. He also commented on the difficulty of moving the Pokémon World Championships annually, stating that holding the same show in the same location at roughly the same time is an "organizer's dream."
Chicago currently hosts the annual Pokémon GO Fest in May and previously featured the temporary Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at the Field Museum. The closing ceremonies of this year's NAIC also revealed promo cards for the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, along with new merchandise and two Pikachu plush toys.
According to IGN, Brown did not offer an official comment on how long Chicago would serve as the home for the Pokémon North America International Championships.
