Celebrating 30 Years of Pokémon in Manila

Manila joins the Pokémon 30th Anniversary celebrations with “PokéXciting!” and a lineup of exciting experiences

Manila, Philippines – To mark 30 years since the original Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Green were released in Japan in 1996 for the Game Boy. On July 7, 2026, The Pokémon Company held a highly anticipated press conference and preview in Manila, featuring major milestone announcements. These included the debut of the first series of events and activities in the Philippines to celebrate the Pokémon 30th Anniversary.

Celebrating 30 Years of Pokémon in Manila

During the press conference, several key highlights were announced: Pokémon RUN 30, a celebration of 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls; the limited-time Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE at SM Mall of Asia; and PokéXciting! in Manila.

These anniversary initiatives collectively comprise the most comprehensive lineup of official Pokémon experiences ever offered in the Philippines, providing Filipino fans with an unprecedented chance to celebrate the Pokémon 30th Anniversary.

Representatives from The Pokémon Company and its official partner, SM Supermalls, attended the preview. Guests at the press conference also enjoyed a special Pikachu dance performance and received a sneak peek of the upcoming PokéXciting! Activities scheduled for Manila.

More detailed information on the key announcements follows:

Pokémon RUN 30: Run into the Future with Pokémon!
“Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” event and the First limited-time Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE in the Philippines
PokéXciting! in Manila: Details Revealed!

On-site Photos from the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Press Conference in Manila

Pokémon RUN 30: Run into the Future with Pokémon!

Pokémon RUN is an interactive themed running event where participants become Pokémon Trainers and enter an immersive Pokémon universe. It offers a fun experience that combines adventure, collecting, and engaging challenges. To mark Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, Pokémon RUN will return on an expanded scale across several regions in Asia, inviting fans to celebrate Pokémon’s history, current milestones, and future developments.

Under the theme “Run into the Future with Pokémon!”, Pokémon RUN 30: Philippines Edition will be held on October 3 – 4, 2026, at SM Mall of Asia.

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 welcome too!
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

The running route is designed as an interactive, themed course. After choosing your first partner Pokémon at the starting line, participants will set off to tackle fun, Pokémon-world-inspired challenges along the way, including:

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.

A Memorable Finish: When participants cross the finish line, they will see their partner Pokémon evolve right there with them!

In addition to the running portion, the event will feature a Pokémon Festival Zone, open to the general public at no cost. The festival area boasts a rich lineup of attractions, including:

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.

The Festival Zone will include Pikachu parades and Meet and Greets, themed photo stations, and sponsor booths, allowing fans to celebrate the 30th anniversary in their own special way.

Every trainer who registers for Pokémon RUN 30 will receive a special Pokémon RUN 30 Runner’s Kit.

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 Philippines event opens on July 7 at 5:00 PM (Philippines Time).

Check RUNRIO’s official Facebook page to get details on how to register. https://www.facebook.com/runrioinc.

Interested members of the public can visit the official Pokémon RUN 30 Philippines page for more information about the event. https://ph.portal-pokemon.com/30th/topics/20260603_02/

“Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” event and the First limited-time Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE in the Philippines

SM Supermalls has announced an official partnership with Pokémon for the upcoming 30th Anniversary Celebrations. As a key feature of this special collaboration, the Philippines will introduce its first limited-time Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE at SM Mall of Asia. To mark the milestone, SM Supermalls will host a six-month celebration titled “Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls,” highlighting Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.

*Subject to change. For illustrative purposes only.

Philippines’ first limited-time Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE

Pokémon is set to launch its first-ever Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE in the Philippines at SM Mall of Asia, available for a limited period from October 2026 to January 2027. The store will showcase a variety of products, including Pokémon Center Original items, popular collectibles like trading cards and plushies, and more. There will also be exclusive merchandise to celebrate the 30th anniversary. The POP-UP STORE will host Pokémon Trading Card Game tutorial sessions and feature a gaming experience booth.

“Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon at SM Malls” event

Alongside the Pokémon Center POP-UP STORE, a six-month mall caravan will take place at SM Supermalls from October 2026 to March 2027. The participating locations include SM Mall of Asia, SM East Ortigas, SM Southmall, SM North EDSA, SM Marikina, SM Seaside Cebu, SM Davao, and SM CDO Downtown.

Get ready to collect your favorite licensed Pokémon merchandise and collectibles, and participate in free Pokémon Trading Card Game tutorials via the New Trainer Journey. You can also explore Pokémon Pokopia and Pokémon Champions on the newest Nintendo Switch 2, plus enjoy exciting freebies like Pokémon paper sun visors and stickers. Don’t miss the opportunity to try Pokémon Mezastar too!

Additionally, you can capture memorable photos with your favorite Pokémon during the Meet and Greet, while enjoying vibrant Pokémon decorations and inflatables throughout SM Supermalls. Additionally, a limited-edition Pokémon 30th Anniversary tote bag is available with a minimum single-receipt purchase of PHP 3,500*. Join us to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary and make the most of the fun at SM Supermalls!

Celebrate the world of Pokémon to the max in the Philippines at your most loved SM Supermalls. For more news, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.

*Stay tuned for future announcements for more details.

PokéXciting! in Manila: Details Revealed!

The Pokémon Company is launching PokéXciting!, a major party-style event across five Asian cities: Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Singapore, and Bangkok. This celebration will feature entertainment, nostalgia, and interactive experiences for multiple generations, making it one of the most eagerly awaited Pokémon events so far.

PokéXciting! in Manila will take place on 23 – 24 January 2027 at SM Mall of Asia. Visitors can look forward to a vibrant lineup of entertainment, including a special appearance by PokéXciting! Pikachu*, slated to join the live stage show and series of performances lined up for the fans.

Guests can meet their favorite Pokémon during special Meet and Greet sessions and browse exclusive PokéXciting! Merchandise, including Manila edition items with the red-costumed Pikachu. They can also enjoy the popular parade, where various Pokémon march in a lively musical procession, creating memorable moments for fans of all ages. As the event continues into the evening, visitors can experience the High-Voltage Night Stage with energizing performances, dance music, and stunning stage effects, all starring PokéXciting! Pikachu. Admission to PokéXciting! in Manila is free for the public.

* PokéXciting! Pikachu is a distinctive Pikachu bringing lively party energy to every city! To boost the excitement of Pokéxciting!, Pikachu will appear not only in Manila but also at events across various cities. Each city will showcase the PokéXciting! Pikachu in a different-colored costume, with Manila debuting in a bright red! Additionally, a special PokéXciting! event will be held in Pokémon GO, featuring Pikachu in-game.

Mr. Susumu Fukunaga, Corporate Officer of The Pokémon Company, stated,

“PokéXciting! is more than just an event – it is our way of expressing gratitude to Pokémon fans across Asia who have supported us over the past three decades, while creating unforgettable moments that bring fans together through their shared love of Pokémon. We are thrilled to bring PokéXciting! to Manila and share this special celebration with Filipino fans, whose passion and enthusiasm for Pokémon continue to inspire us. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to our partner, SM Supermalls, for helping us make this exciting experience possible, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to join the fun.”

PokéXciting! in Manila event details are as follows:

Event Location: SM Mall of Asia
Event Dates: 23 – 24 January, 2027
Admission: Free (Open to everyone!)

For more information, visit the official web page:

https://ph.portal-pokemon.com/30th/topics/pokexciting_news0/

Copyright Information

TM, ®, and character names are trademarks of Nintendo.
Pokémon and Nintendo Switch are trademarks of Nintendo.

The Pokémon Company

The Pokémon Company was established to manage the Pokémon brand. Currently, the company develops and produces video games, which is where Pokémon originates, as well as trading card games, animated TV series and movies, merchandise, tie-up promotions, events, and the Pokémon Center, a chain of directly managed Pokémon shops.

What’s Pokémon?

Pokémon are intriguing creatures filled with mysteries. They first appeared in the 1996 release of Pokémon Red and Green video games in Japan for the Game Boy. The franchise’s success stems from the enjoyment of capturing, raising, and collecting Pokémon, as well as the social aspects of trading and battling with other players. Today, Pokémon’s popularity has grown globally, thanks to its expansion into trading card games, TV anime, movies, apps, merchandise, and more.

SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls is transforming to suit a new era influenced by modern lifestyles, connections, and experiences. It’s more than just a shopping center; it’s the nation’s favorite mall and a daily hub tailored to the lifestyles, interests, and needs of Filipino communities. Offering new discoveries, innovative concepts, and meaningful experiences — All For You.

SM Supermalls, a leading mall developer and operator in Southeast Asia with 89 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China, continuously enhances its spaces, experiences, and collaborations. It aims to create destinations that develop alongside communities and stay trusted, relevant, and cherished across generations. Your Most Loved Supermall, SM — All For You.

#GalaToTheMax

For more news, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on social media.

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Read: Pokémon Asia 30th Anniversary: Join the Ultimate Fan Festival

Celebrating 30 Years of Pokémon in Manila

Melo Villareal

Out of Town Blog

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