Celebrations for Pokémon's 30th anniversary will make up the biggest line-up of Pokémon events ever held in the Philippines.

The Pokémon Company is going all out for its 30th anniversary, with celebrations across the world and a grand lineup planned for the Philippines.

During a press conference on Tuesday (7 July), The Pokémon Company revealed plenty of exciting news for the Philippines, including the country's first-ever Pokémon Center Pop-up store, Pokémon celebrations across SM Malls, Pokémon GO updates, PokéXciting! in Manila, and Pokémon RUN 30, a fun run for Pokémon fans.

Representatives of The Pokémon Company and SM Malls pose with Pikachu.

"Over the past decade, the Pokémon fanbase has grown significantly and Pokémon content have been enjoyed by a lot of fans," Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer for The Pokémon Company, said. "To express our gratitude and to create an enjoyable experience to both long-time fans and newcomers, we are planning Pokémon events here in Manila," he added. Fukunaga said the company wanted to "honour our long-standing fans, while welcoming all who will join this journey going forward."

The announcements come as Pokémon celebrates 30 years since Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green first launched in Japan for the Game Boy in 1996. According to The Pokémon Company, the anniversary initiatives represent “the most extensive lineup of official Pokémon experiences ever brought to the Philippines.”

When will the first Pokémon Center Pop-up store open in the Philippines?

The first-ever Pokémon Pop-up store will be in SM Mall of Asia.

The first-ever limited-time Pokémon Center Pop-up store in the Philippines will open at SM Mall of Asia from October 2026 to January 2027. The store is part of an official partnership between Pokémon and SM Supermalls for the 30th anniversary, which will also bring six months of Pokémon celebrations to malls across the Philippines.

Pokémon Center Pop-up store will sell original merchandise, trading cards and more

Fans visiting the Pokémon Center Pop-up store can expect a wide range of products, including Pokémon Center Original merchandise, popular items such as trading cards and plushies, and more. Special merchandise commemorating Pokémon's 30th anniversary is also scheduled to go on sale. The celebrations will not be limited to shopping, with Pokémon Trading Card Game tutorial sessions and a gaming experience booth also set to be available inside the Pop-up store.

Where will the Pokémon 30th anniversary SM Malls events be held?

Beyond the Pokémon Center Pop-up store, the celebrations will spread across the country through "Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls", a six-month mall caravan running from October 2026 to March 2027.

The participating malls are:

  • SM Mall of Asia: 1 to 15 October 202t6
  • SM East Ortigas: 23 October to 8 November 2026
  • SM Southmall: 20 to 30 November 2026
  • SM North EDSA: 10 December 2026 to 3 January 2027
  • SM Marikina: 15 to 31 January 2027
  • SM Seaside Cebu: 5 to 14 February 2027 
  • SM Davao: 20 February to 7 March 2027
  • SM CDO Downtown 13 to 28 March 2027

Pokémon 30th anniversary activities at SM Malls include games, TCG tutorials and Meet and Greets

Fans will be able to shop for licensed Pokémon merchandise and collectibles, while those looking to learn the Pokémon Trading Card Game can join free tutorials through the New Trainer Journey.

Players can also experience Pokémon Pokopia and Pokémon Champions on the latest Nintendo Switch 2, as well as try out Pokémon Mezastar. Freebies including Pokémon paper sun visors and stickers will also be available. Fans can meet and take photos with Pokémon during Meet and Greet sessions, while Pokémon decorations and inflatables will appear across participating SM Supermalls. A limited-edition Pokémon 30th Anniversary tote bag will also be available with a minimum single-receipt purchase of PHP 3,500.

More details about the six-month celebration will be announced at a later date. Fans can visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media for more news.

When and where is Pokémon RUN 30 in the Philippines?

Pokémon fans can also lace up their running shoes and set off on an adventure of their own when Pokémon RUN 30: Philippines Edition takes over SM Mall of Asia on 3 and 4 October 2026.

Pokémon Run 30 is coming to the Philippines.

This is not just a 5km run with Pokémon branding. Participants will step into the role of a Pokémon Trainer, choose their first partner Pokémon and take on an interactive, themed course filled with collecting and challenges inspired by the Pokémon world. Held under the theme "Run into the Future with Pokémon!", Pokémon RUN 30 is returning on an unprecedented scale across multiple regions in Asia for the 30th anniversary. The approximately 5km Philippines edition is open to everyone, from casual runners and enthusiasts to Pokémon fans, families and children.

Registration costs PHP 2,450 for the 5KM Standard category and PHP 3,450 for the 5KM Premium category, with the latter including a Pikachu Shoulder Plushie. 7-ELEVEN and UNIQLO are the regional sponsors for Pokémon RUN 30.

Registration for the Philippines event opens on 7 July at 5:00 PM Philippine Time.

Fans can check RUNRIO's official Facebook page for details on how to register. More information is also available on the official Pokémon RUN 30 Philippines page.
 

Pokémon RUN 30 course will feature Pokémon Gyms, Pokédex Tasks and more

This will not be a simple dash to the finish line. Participants will choose their first partner Pokémon at the starting line before setting off on an interactive, themed course filled with challenges inspired by the Pokémon world.

The Pokémon Gym will feature interactive obstacles designed to test a Trainer's spirit, while Pokémon Center refreshment stations will give participants a place to hydrate and recover their energy. Trainers will also take on Pokédex Tasks, meeting different Pokémon along the route and collecting special stickers to fill their Pokédex. Upon crossing the finish line, participants will watch their partner Pokémon evolve right alongside them.

What is included in the Pokémon RUN 30 Runner's Kit?

Every Trainer who registers for Pokémon RUN 30 will receive a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner's Kit containing:

  • Pokémon RUN 30 T-Shirt
  • Pokémon RUN 30 Drawstring Bag
  • Type Themed Bib
  • Poké Ball Themed Arm Band
  • Pokémon RUN 30 Pokédex Search Sheet
  • First Partner Pokémon Lenticular Card featuring Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle
  • Pokémon Trading Card Game Booster Pack
  • Each participant can choose a Grass, Fire or Water Type Themed Bib. The First Partner Pokémon Lenticular Card they receive will correspond with their chosen Type Themed Bib.

Those who register for the 5KM Premium category will also receive a Pokémon RUN 30 Pikachu Shoulder Plushie.

Pokémon RUN 30 Festival Zone activities include parades, Meet and Greets and more

Fans will not need to join the 5km run to take part in the celebrations, as Pokémon RUN 30 will also feature a Pokémon Festival Zone open to the general public for free.

The Festival Zone will include a Pokémon Center Pop-up store offering special 30th anniversary items and a Pokémon Time Tunnel, a retrospective journey exploring the Pokémon games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the anime and other initiatives.

A Pokémon Experience Zone will also offer hands-on gaming activities featuring the Pokémon TCG, mobile apps and more.

The Pokemon Festival Zone.

The Festival Zone will feature Pikachu parades and Meet and Greet sessions, alongside themed photo spots and sponsor booths, giving fans plenty of ways to join the anniversary celebrations even if they are not taking part in the run.

When and where is PokéXciting! in Manila?

The celebrations will continue into 2027 with PokéXciting! in Manila, a large-scale party-style Pokémon event coming to SM Mall of Asia on 23 and 24 January 2027.

PokéXciting! in Manila will feature a Pokémon parade, exclusive merchandise and live shows

PokéXciting! in Manila will feature a special appearance by PokéXciting! Pikachu, who is set to join the live stage show and a series of performances lined up for fans.

PokéXciting! Pikachu is a unique Pikachu bringing vibrant party vibes to each of the five cities. Each location will get a different-coloured costume, with Manila's PokéXciting! Pikachu making its debut in vibrant red. Fans will be able to meet Pokémon during special Meet and Greet sessions and shop for exclusive PokéXciting! merchandise, including Manila edition items featuring the red-costumed PokéXciting! Pikachu.

The event will also feature a parade bringing together a wide variety of Pokémon in a lively musical procession. As the celebrations continue into the evening, fans can head to the High-Voltage Night Stage, featuring PokéXciting! Pikachu alongside energetic performances, danceable music and spectacular stage production.

PokéXciting! Pikachu is also coming to Pokémon GO

What do you think of Pikachu Philippine Edition? (Image: The Pokemon Company).

The PokéXciting! celebrations will also extend into Pokémon GO. A special PokéXciting!-related event will take place in the mobile game, where PokéXciting! Pikachu will appear.

Between the country's first Pokémon Center Pop-up store, six months of celebrations across SM Malls, a 5km adventure with Pokémon RUN 30 and the free PokéXciting! party, Filipino fans will have plenty of ways to mark 30 years of Pokémon from October 2026 well into 2027.