Pokémon 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Pokémon Company is bringing its biggest Asian 30th Anniversary celebration to Manila, unveiling three headline events that will roll out across SM Mall of Asia and select SM Supermalls from late 2026 to early 2027.
Marking three decades since Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green launched in Japan in 1996, the company announced Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition, the “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” campaign featuring the country’s first Pokémon Center POP‑UP STORE, and PokéXciting! in Manila, a free fan festival set for January 2027.
Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition
Pokémon RUN 30: The Philippines Edition will transform SM Mall of Asia into an immersive, themed fun run on October 3–4, 2026. The approximately 5 km route is designed as a Pokémon world‑inspired course with interactive Gym checkpoints, Pokédex search tasks, and festival‑style zones, inviting both seasoned runners and families to “Run into the Future with Pokémon.”
Registered participants will receive a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner’s Kit, which includes a themed event shirt, drawstring bag, type‑themed bib, Poké Ball arm band, Pokédex search sheet, first partner Pokémon lenticular card, Pikachu shoulder plush for premium tiers, and a Pokémon Trading Card Game booster pack. A free‑to‑enter Pokémon Festival Zone at the venue will add parades, meet‑and‑greets, photo spots, sponsor booths, and exclusive anniversary merchandise for fans who simply want to join the celebration.
Run into the Future with Pokémon Details
| Label | Details |
|---|---|
| Event name | Pokémon RUN 30: Run into the Future with Pokémon – The Philippines Edition |
| Purpose | Immersive fun run celebrating 30 years of Pokémon, highlighting the past, present, and future of the franchise |
| Dates | October 3–4, 2026. |
| Venue | SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Philippines. |
| Course type | Themed fun run, approximately 5 km; designed for casual runners, enthusiasts, families, and kids. |
| Registration | Required for participation in the run; separate from the free‑to‑enter Festival Zone. |
| Participation fee | Paid registration includes a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner’s Kit; specific pricing and festival hours to be announced. |
| Key route features | Choose your first partner Pokémon at the start, tackle interactive Pokémon Gym obstacles, refresh at Pokémon Center hydration stations, and complete Pokédex sticker challenges as you meet different Pokémon along the course. |
| Finish experience | Partner Pokémon “evolves” with the participant by the time they cross the finish line, reinforcing the journey theme. |
| Festival Zone access | Free admission area at the venue open to all fans, even non‑runners. |
| Festival Zone highlights | Special Pokémon Pop‑Up Store with 30th Anniversary merchandise, Pokémon Time Tunnel exhibit, Pikachu parade and meet‑and‑greet, Pokémon Experience Zone with Nintendo Switch titles, TCG and mobile games, photo spots, and sponsor booths. |
| Runner’s Kit contents | Pokémon RUN 30 T‑shirt, drawstring bag, type‑themed bib (Grass/Fire/Water), Poké Ball arm band, Pokédex search sheet, first partner Pokémon lenticular card (Bulbasaur/Charmander/Squirtle), Pikachu shoulder plush for select ticket tiers, and a Pokémon Trading Card Game booster pack. |
| Sponsors | 7‑Eleven and UNIQLO as regional sponsors. |
| Notes | Event details, schedules, and kit contents may be adjusted without prior notice; official channels will share updates closer to the date. |
Pokémon Center POP‑UP STORE in the Philippines
Complementing the run, SM Supermalls and The Pokémon Company are launching the “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” campaign, headlined by the first limited‑time Pokémon Center POP‑UP STORE in the Philippines. The POP‑UP STORE will open at SM Mall of Asia from October 2026 to January 2027, offering Pokémon Center original items, trading card products, plushies, and 30th Anniversary commemorative merchandise.
A dedicated Pokémon Trading Card Game and gaming experience booth will also be set up inside the store, giving fans hands‑on access to TCG tutorials and Nintendo Switch titles tied to the anniversary. Beyond Mall of Asia, a six‑month mall caravan will bring themed activations to major SM malls including SM East Ortigas, SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, SM Marikina, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Davao, and SM CDO Downtown, widening the reach of the anniversary program nationwide.
PokéXciting! in Manila
The celebration culminates with PokéXciting! in Manila, a large‑scale, party‑style fan event scheduled for January 23–24, 2027 at SM Mall of Asia. Part of a five‑city Asian tour that includes Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, and Bangkok, PokéXciting! will combine stage shows, nostalgic exhibits, interactive experiences, and exclusive merchandise into what The Pokémon Company describes as one of its most ambitious fan celebrations in the region.
Manila’s edition will feature a special appearance by PokéXciting! Pikachu—an event‑exclusive version of Pikachu in a vibrant costume—who will lead live performances, parades, high‑energy night‑stage shows, and meet‑and‑greet sessions throughout the two‑day takeover. Admission to PokéXciting! in Manila will be free, inviting fans of all ages to join the 30th Anniversary festivities and experience Pokémon’s past, present, and future through live entertainment, themed zones, and tie‑in activities with Pokémon GO.
With these three announcements, The Pokémon Company and SM Supermalls are positioning Manila as a key hub for the Pokémon Asia 30th Anniversary, giving Filipino Trainers a rare chance to run, shop, and celebrate alongside some of the biggest official Pokémon events ever staged in the country.
Update as of 9:00PM, July 7: Uploaded latest press photos
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
