Pokémon NAIC Moves to Chicago's McCormick Place From 2027

The Pokémon Company has announced that the North American International Championship will relocate to Chicago beginning in 2027 after three consecutive years in New Orleans.

Chicago selected for superior accessibility and growth capacity. The move was revealed during the 2026 NAIC closing ceremony over the weekend. Chicago is described as a world-class city that checks all the boxes for the event's needs.

Chris Brown, The Pokémon Company's Director of Global Esports and Events Producer, cited accessibility as a key factor. He noted that the 2026 event in New Orleans drew participants from 48 countries and regions. Brown highlighted Chicago's flight connections to 281 airports in 49 countries compared with New Orleans' 55 airports in four countries, per IGN.

Event attendance has surged beyond initial targets. NAIC attendance is reported to be up more than 150 percent and has surpassed its three-year growth goal in just two years. Every type of badge for the New Orleans weekend, including all spectator passes, sold out.

The growth has created space constraints that prevent further expansion of competitions and fan experiences. Organizers aim to balance the needs of competitors with those of fans and families, according to Collider. The three-year contract in New Orleans is expected to be matched or exceeded in Chicago, though the exact length of the stint has not been revealed.

Annual venue changes create logistical challenges. Moving the event each year, as occurs with the Pokémon World Championships, presents difficulties. Chicago is therefore expected to host NAIC for the next few years at minimum. The city already hosts Pokémon GO Fest, adding to its suitability.

Attention shifts to upcoming World Championships. Following the conclusion of the 2026 NAIC, focus turns to the World Championships scheduled for August 28-30 in San Francisco. Three new World Championship cards were revealed, including a Paradise Resort card awarded to competitors, a Worlds Pikachu promo for participants in Celebration Tournaments at Play! Pokémon Stores from August 21 to 30, and a stamped Rayquaza distributed to all attendees at Worlds and the PokémonXP event. Dates for the 2027 NAIC remain to be announced.