The Pokémon Company, in partnership with SM Supermalls, recently held a Pokémon 30th Anniversary press conference, highlighting the various events happening in the Philippines this year.
As 2026 marks a major milestone for the franchise, The Pokémon Company will hold lots of exciting events and activities in the PH, a country with plenty of Pokémon fans. These include a Pokémon fun run, a special pop-up store, and the first-ever PokéXciting event in Manila.
Pokémon RUN 30: Run into the Future with Pokémon!
One of the highlight announcements from the press conference is the Pokémon RUN 30: Philippines Edition. This fun run will happen on October 3-4, 2026 at SM Mall of Asia, and it will feature a course with special Pokémon themes. There will also be a special Festival Zone for more themed activities, with fun run participants also getting a Runner’s Kit with special goodies.
For starters, here are the key details of the fun run, including the dates and participation fees:
- Dates: October 3 – 4, 2026
- Venue: SM Mall of Asia
- Course: Fun Run (Approx. 5km) Great for everyone, from casual runners to enthusiasts and Pokémon fans. Families and kids are also welcome.
- Participation Fee (Includes a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner’s Kit!)
- PHP 2,450 – 5KM Standard
- PHP 3,450 – 5KM Premium (includes a Pikachu Shoulder Plushie)
- Regional Sponsors: 7-ELEVEN, UNIQLO
Meanwhile, here’s a rundown of the special challenges that runners can participate in at the course:
- Pokémon Gym: Interactive obstacles designed to test a Trainer’s spirit.
- Pokémon Center: Refreshment stations where Trainers can hydrate to recover their energy.
- Pokédex Tasks: Fill your Pokédex by meeting different Pokémon along the route and collecting special stickers.
As for the Pokémon Festival Zone, both participants and the general public can visit these at SM Mall of Asia:
- Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE: Offering special 30th anniversary merchandise.
- Pokémon Time Tunnel: A retrospective journey exploring the history of Pokémon video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), the animated series, and local licensing initiatives.
- Pokémon Experience Zone: A hands-on gaming area featuring Nintendo Switch 2 titles, the Pokémon TCG, mobile apps, and more.
- Pikachu parades, Meet-and-Greets, and themed photo spots
Finally, the Pokémon RUN 30 Runner’s Kit will include the following:
- Pokémon RUN 30 T-Shirt
- Pokémon RUN 30 Drawstring Bag
- Type Themed Bib – Grass/Fire/Water *each participant can choose and receive one Type Themed Bib
- Poké Ball Themed Arm Band
- Pokémon RUN 30 Pokédex Search Sheet
- First Partner Pokémon Lenticular Card – Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle *each participant to receive one First Partner Pokémon Lenticular Card (must correlate with the Type Themed Bib)
- Pokémon RUN 30 Pikachu Shoulder Plushie *only included in 5KM Premium
- Pokémon Trading Card Game Booster Pack
Registration for the run is open now via RUNRIO’s official Facebook page. More details about the event can also be found at the official website.
‘Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls’ event and the first-ever Pokémon Center Pop-up store in the Philippines
Also announced at the press conference is the “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” series of events. This is a six-month mall caravan happening from October 2026 to March 2027 across eight SM Malls: SM Mall of Asia, SM East Ortigas, SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, SM Marikina, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Davao, and SM CDO Downtown.
At each venue, fans can buy licensed Pokémon merch, join free Pokémon Trading Card Game tutorials, try out Pokémon games via Switch 2 demo booths, and grab freebies like Pokémon paper sun visors and stickers. These events will also host Meet-and-Greets with special guests, including Pikachu.
The schedule of this mall caravan is as follows:
- SM Mall of Asia – October 1-15, 2026
- SM East Ortigas – October 23-November 8, 2026
- SM Southmall – November 20-30, 2026
- SM North EDSA – December 10, 2026-January 3, 2027
- SM Marikina – January 15-31, 2027
- SM Seaside Cebu – February 5-14, 2027
- SM Davao – February 20-March 7, 2027
- SM CDO Downtown – March 13-28, 2027
At SM Mall of Asia, the first-ever Pokémon Center Pop-up store in the Philippines will open, featuring a wide array of original merch. Note that this will be a limited-time pop-up, and it will be open from October 2026 to January 2027.
PokéXciting! in Manila: Happening in January
Finally, The Pokémon Company is launching PokéXciting! in Asia, with stops in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, and Bangkok. This is a large-scale party event where visitors can enjoy live stage shows with Pokémon performances, along with Meet-and-Greet sessions, a Pokémon parade, and exclusive merch featuring the red-costumed PokéXciting! Pikachu.
This special version of Pikachu is described as:
PokéXciting! Pikachu is a unique Pikachu, bringing vibrant party vibes to every city! To enhance the excitement of Pokéxciting!, Pokéxciting! Pikachu will appear not only in Manila but at events in each city. Pokéxciting! Pikachu will be featured in a different-colored costume unique to each city. For Manila, it will debut in a vibrant red! A special PokéXciting!-related event will also take place in Pokémon GO, where PokéXciting! Pikachu will appear in the game.
Best of all, admission to PokéXciting! in Manila will be free!
The event is happening at SM Mall of Asia on January 23 and 24, 2027. More details about the event will be shared soon.