The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) have launched an official collaboration to celebrate World Space Week 2026 from 4-10 October 2026.
As a special element of the collaboration, a Pikachu plush travelled to the International Space Station during ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot's mission. It spent 67 days in orbit, from 11 April to 17 June 2026, completing approximately 1040 orbits.
The much-anticipated collaboration will also bring a temporary exhibition centred on Space and Pokémon to ESA sites and major museums across Europe, alongside exclusive merchandise and a special Pokémon GO event. The programme is designed to inspire curiosity about space exploration among audiences of all ages.
"Inspiring future generations is a key part of ESA's mission. Through this collaboration with Pokémon, we are unlocking new ways for people across Europe to connect with space through a unique and engaging experience," says ESA's Director General Josef Aschbacher. "By taking space exploration beyond traditional settings, we hope to ignite curiosity, spark a sense of wonder about our Universe and encourage people of all ages to discover the opportunities that space offers for the future."
"Every Pokémon journey begins with a sense of wonder about what lies beyond the world you know. From distant regions to encounters that reach into outer space, that spirit of discovery has always been part of being a Pokémon Trainer. Collaborating with ESA opens a new frontier for fans, bringing together the world of Pokémon and the wonder of space for visitors at locations across Europe," said Mathieu Galante, senior director of licensing at The Pokémon Company International.
A unique ESA x Pokémon exhibition
The cornerstone of the collaboration is a family-friendly brand-new exhibition, co-created by ESA and Pokémon, blending real scientific content with imaginative visual storytelling.
Through themed panels, visitors will explore key aspects of Europe's space activities, discovering, among other things, how Europe launches missions, supports astronauts aboard the International Space Station, studies the Sun, and explores the Solar System and the wider Universe.
Selected panels incorporate Pokémon characters, adding a playful and engaging dimension to scientific topics.
Launch across ESA sites and museums in Europe
The exhibition will debut during ESA Open Days 2026 across ESA establishments:
- ESA Headquarters, Paris, France: 19-20 September 2026ESRIN, Rome, Italy: 25 September 2026
- ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands: 26-27 September 2026
- ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany: 2 October 2026
- ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain: 3 October 2026
- ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom: 10 October 2026
Following its launch, the exhibition will also be present in different venues and for different events across Europe, where it will be hosted from early October 2026 until April 2027.
- Cité de l'espace, Toulouse, France
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain
- Deutsches Museum, Nuremberg, Germany
- Euro Space Center, Libin, Belgium
- Lucca Comics & Games, Lucca, Italy
- Science Museum, London, United Kingdom
- Space Expo, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Visit the page dedicated to the collaboration on the ESA website to learn more about the exhibition content and related missions.
Exclusive merchandise and collectible content
The collaboration will also introduce exclusive ESA x Pokémon merchandise, a range of apparel, accessories and collectibles will be available through ESA and Pokémon retail channels, as well as in partner museum shops.
Designed as an extension of the visitor experience, the collection will carry the spirit of exploration beyond the exhibition.
Extending the experience with Pokémon GO V2
The collaboration will also extend into the digital world through a Pokémon GO in-game activation inspired by ESA x Pokémon. From 4 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, Trainers visiting participating science and space museums across Europe will be able to discover special Pokémon GO gameplay inspired by the wonders of space, including encounters with Astronaut Pikachu.
Visitors to participating museums will be able to take part in a range of in-game activities, including One-Star Raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu, Timed Research and special Pokémon encounters. Some Pokémon encountered through these activities may feature a special Location Background commemorating their visit.
From 4-10 October 2026, additional event-themed gameplay will be available, including Field Research and increased wild
Pokémon spawns at participating museum locations. All the above gameplay, excluding Location Backgrounds, will be available at ESA locations across Europe from 4 October to 10 October, 2026.
