Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Pokémon GO and ESA Bring Astronaut Pikachu to Europe
The European Space Agency and Pokémon are working together for World Space Week in 2026.
They want to help people learn about space in a fun way.
A Pikachu toy went to the International Space Station and stayed there for 67 days.
Museums and ESA locations in Europe will have an exhibition about Pokémon and space.
People visiting participating places can play special Pokémon GO activities.
These include chances to meet Astronaut Pikachu in raids and do research tasks.
Some event activities are available from October 4 to 10, while other gameplay continues until April 30, 2027.
A rare Shiny version might appear, but it is not guaranteed.
The European Space Agency and The Pokémon Company International are partnering for World Space Week 2026, October 4–10.
An Astronaut Pikachu plush spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station from April 11 to June 17, 2026, completing 1,040 orbits of Earth.
Participating European ESA sites and museums will host a co-created exhibition combining space science with Pokémon-inspired storytelling.
From October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027, visitors can access special Pokémon GO gameplay, including Astronaut Pikachu raids and timed research.
Additional event gameplay, including Field Research and increased wild Pokémon appearances at participating venues, runs October 4–10; Shiny Astronaut Pikachu may appear.
- Who
- The European Space Agency and The Pokémon Company International, with Pokémon GO players and participating venues.
- What
- A World Space Week partnership featuring a space-and-Pokémon exhibition and special Pokémon GO gameplay.
- When
- World Space Week is October 4–10, 2026; the museum gameplay period runs October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
- Where
- Participating ESA facilities and science and space museums across Europe.
- Why
- The partners say the collaboration aims to spark curiosity about space exploration and inspire future generations.
ESA and Pokémon
Player guidance
Purpose and participation
ESA and Pokémon
The partners present the collaboration as a way to make space exploration engaging and inspire curiosity, especially among young people.
Player guidance
Players are advised to stay aware of their surroundings and follow local health authority guidelines; the announcement also says events may change.
- World Space Week
- October 4–10, 2026
- Pokémon GO activity period
- October 4, 2026–April 30, 2027, at participating venues
- Astronaut Pikachu's ISS flight
- April 11–June 17, 2026; 67 days in orbit and 1,040 trips around Earth
- In-person gameplay
- One-Star Raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu, Timed Research, and special Pokémon encounters
- Additional gameplay
- Field Research and increased wild Pokémon spawns at participating museum locations, October 4–10
- Participating locations
- Listed ESA facilities and museums in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, and Belgium
- Exhibition focus
- Europe's space activities, including launches, astronaut support on the ISS, solar studies, and exploration of the Solar System and Universe