Pokémon XP makes its debut in SF as over 50,000 fans converge at Moscone Center

Pokémon history is happening right now in San Francisco.

More than 50,000 Pokémon fans are in the city for the 2026 World Championships.

But there's also a brand-new event to kick off the globally anticipated competition: Pokémon XP.

Fans from all over the world have been pouring into the city long before Day 1 of this big weekend.

They've even had some events leading up to it -- but many said there was nothing like finally walking through the gates Friday morning.

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At 7 a.m. sharp, thousands of people from all over the world rushed through the gates at 4th and Howard streets.

"I'm just so starstruck. And honest, I'm a little emotional with being here," said one fan.

All of this for the first day of the annual Pokémon World Championships, where players face off in games like Pokémon Go and the official trading card game.

It's also the first-ever XP fan convention: a type of "Comic-Con" for Pokémon fans.

Pokémon officials say that it was 10 years ago, that the championships were last held in San Franciso. Back then, there were about a few 1,000 fans in a ballroom.

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This time around, there are tens of thousands of fans who have taken over Moscone Center and an entire block of the city.

"San Francisco is, you know, continued to evolve with us. It's such a special city in our hearts. So, there was reason we came back 10 years later. It's really just got something for everyone," said Nick Salazar, spokesperson for the Pokémon Company International.

Many visitors we spoke with made a point to spend time, not just at the convention, but also taking in what the city has to offer.

"It's nice out here, seeing all the stores, seeing everything. It's nice. The beach views are amazing," said Samuel, who was visiting from Santa Clarita.

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Bailey Fuentes was visiting all the way from Dallas, Texas.

"We've already been down to the pier and the Ghirardelli Square. Just a chance to look at San Francisco as a whole and Pokémon," she said. "I feel like it's the best of both worlds."

Now, with both the championships and fan convention underway, organizers say visitors have even more to look forward to at what's called "Championship Sunday at Chase Center."

"We're expecting over, I want to say, it's about 16,000 fans, if not more. I can't give away too much as to what it looks like, but that main stage is going to look amazing," Salazar said.

Even with so much excitement planned, many say what they're looking forward to most this weekend is connection.

"It's just so cool how everyone can just come together around this one thing. I love the community that Pokémon creates," Fuentes said.