Pokémon EUIC 2026: A Celebration of Competition and Community in London
The Pokémon European International Championships (EUIC) 2026 unfolded this weekend at London's ExCeL, marking a pivotal event in the competitive Pokémon calendar. As the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, the tournament attracted over 5,000 competitors from more than 50 countries, making it the largest Pokémon tournament outside of Asia. Whether participants emerged victorious or faced defeat, the overwhelming sentiment was one of joy and camaraderie, highlighting the deep bonds within the Pokémon community.
Thrilling Finals Across Multiple Disciplines
The weekend was packed with high-stakes action across various Pokémon games. In the Pokémon Unite Aeos Cup, Team Peps from France secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Evil Geniuses from North America in a best-of-five final, overcoming heavyweights like Dignitas and reigning world champions Peru Unite. The Pokémon Go Championship saw Spanish trainer P4T0M4N achieve back-to-back EUIC champion status, leveraging a buffed Seaking with the Fast Attack Peck to counter prevalent bug types in the meta.
For the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), the Masters final was a marathon of strategy, with Edwyn Mesman from the Netherlands defeating UK favorite Drew Stephenson in a Gardevoir versus Gholdengo deck showdown. Meanwhile, the video game Masters final closed the event, as Paul Chua of North America won 2-0 with a team centered around Raging Bolt, Ogerpon, and Urshifu, earning $15,000 and a guaranteed invite to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco.
Insights from Pokémon Legends and Attendees
I spoke with Reuben Davidson about the TCG meta, who noted, "This season, Gholdengo ex feels like the strongest deck due to its versatility and card-drawing power." Pokémon TCG legend Tord Reklev, a five-time international champion, shared his experience: "Finishing top 16 out of 4,000 players is respectable. I played my own Absol deck, which became a major meta deck this weekend, and it's rewarding to see it perform so well." Reklev also discussed the pressures of fame and his excitement for the 30th anniversary, adding, "Pokémon has shaped who I am, and I'm thrilled to be part of this milestone."
Content creator Dev, known as @alcremiesundae, encapsulated the weekend's spirit: "This community means everything to me. I wouldn't change any of it."
Event Highlights and Future Prospects
Beyond the competitions, the EUIC featured a pop-up Pokémon Center with exclusive merchandise themed around mega Charizard evolutions from Pokémon Legends: Z-A, drawing over 13,000 attendees. A Pin Trading booth was a hub of activity, while demos for the upcoming game Pokémon Pokopia and a Play Lab for TCG basics attracted long queues. An exhibition showcased artwork from renowned TCG illustrators like Asako Ito, with artists available for autographs.
With a total prize pool exceeding $500,000, prizes ranged from $500 for smaller tournaments to $25,000 for TCG Masters winners. The EUIC serves as a crucial step for players aiming to qualify for the World Championships by earning Championship Points through high placements. The spotlight now shifts to regional competitions and the North American International Championships in New Orleans this June, leading up to the World Championships in San Francisco in August 2026.
As the event concluded, the lack of new announcements during the closing ceremony was unsurprising, given the proximity to Pokémon Day on February 27. Yet, the excitement and dedication displayed by trainers underscored the enduring appeal of Pokémon, blending competitive rigor with heartfelt community connections.
