Pokemon 2026 Worlds Spectator Passes Still Delayed

General
1

Something I’ve been keeping an eye on for several months now, is the site for the Pokemon World Championship https://worlds.pokemon.com/en-us Specifically on spectator passes.

They have had spectator passes on “delayed” for a good 5ish months now and I’m quite curious what everyone thinks they hold up is.

My girlfriend @clarinetgirl36 had an interesting theory: What if Pokemon is holding off on sales to move venue(s)? Primarily due to the current political climate and the difficulty now added for international travelers attempting to come into the US.

My goal for this thread is to NOT make it political, but to play into some theory here- What is causing the hold up? Moving venues? Keeping it US based or out of the country? Are you guys still purchasing flights/hotels in the area? General thoughts welcome!

3 Likes
2

Past few years they did not start let alone announce the lotteries until a few months before the actual event.

Edit: huh you’re right last year was feb my mistake!

1 Like
3

Typically it’s Feb when they made announcements. However this year at the very end of 2025, they said it would be up pretty much immediately. Then issued a statement to delay. I’m curious what the motive is here.

1 Like
4

I have no idea what’s causing the delay, but they haven’t even announced a release date for Champions, the game they’re supposed to play on at Worlds, so I can imagine there are just a lot of loose ends. While I have booked a hotel, I’m very unlikely to attend.

I don’t see them moving venues, especially at this stage.

1 Like