Overview
- The Pokémon Company announced Sunday that the North America International Championships will relocate from New Orleans to McCormick Place in Chicago for the 2027 event.
- Organizers said the move responds to rapid growth — attendance has risen more than 150% since NAIC moved to New Orleans — and sold-out competitions that outgrew the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
- McCormick Place was chosen for its size and travel connections, with officials noting Chicago's existing Pokémon presence and direct international flight routes make the city a practical fit.
- Exact dates and registration details for NAIC 2027 have not been released, and Pokémon said it will share logistical information in the coming months.
- The change aims to let the event expand multi-game brackets and fan experiences while keeping the tournament accessible as part of the broader run-up to PokémonXP and the 2026 World Championships in San Francisco.