Interview: Pokemon Company Esports Director Talks NAIC's Future, Chicago Move, and Competitive Growth

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Pokémon NAIC moves to Chicago in 2027 as event grows; esports director details competitive expansion plans

   The Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) will relocate to Chicago in 2027 after outgrowing New Orleans, where it drew 16,000 attendees in 2026. The Pokémon Company International’s esports director has emphasized accessibility and growth in competitive play, while the 2026 event featured formats including JCC, VGC, GO, and UNITE. The move aligns with efforts to expand the event’s scale and infrastructure. Sources confirm the Chicago announcement but differ on specific growth metrics or long-term plans.

   What's confirmed:

   • The Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) will move to Chicago in 2027 after hosting events in New Orleans for the past three years.
   • The 2026 NAIC in New Orleans attracted 16,000 attendees, marking the event’s largest turnout to date.
   • The 2026 NAIC included competitive formats such as Junior Championship Circuit (JCC), Video Game Championship (VGC), Pokémon GO, and UNITE.
   • The Pokémon Company International has stated its commitment to keeping Play! Pokémon open and accessible as competitive events expand globally.
   • The 2027 NAIC will be held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.

   Still unconfirmed:

   • The Pokémon Company’s esports director hinted at unspecified ‘competitive growth’ initiatives, though no concrete details were provided in public statements.
   • New promotional materials for the 2026 Pokémon World Championship were teased alongside the Chicago announcement, but no direct link to NAIC formats was confirmed.
   • Sources suggest the NAIC’s move to Chicago is partly driven by New Orleans’ venue limitations, though no official capacity constraints were disclosed.
   confidence 95%