Pokémon UNITE to Be Removed from Pokémon World Championships Beginning in 2027
The Pokémon Company has officially announced a major change to the competitive Pokémon scene, confirming that Pokémon UNITE will no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon World Championships starting with the 2027 Championship Series.
Since its debut in 2021, Pokémon UNITE has been one of the featured competitive titles alongside the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Pokémon GO, and Pokémon VGC. However, beginning in 2027, the popular MOBA will move away from the World Championships and instead receive its own standalone international competition.
End of an Era
Pokémon UNITE made its World Championships debut shortly after the game’s launch and quickly became a regular fixture of the annual Play! Pokémon Championship Series.
Teams from around the world competed throughout each season, earning Championship Points and qualifying for the World Championships through regional events and international qualifiers.
Now, after several successful seasons, The Pokémon Company has confirmed that the game will leave the main World Championships lineup.
Official Statement
In its announcement regarding the 2027 Championship Series, The Pokémon Company said:
“The Pokémon UNITE Championship Series will no longer be a part of the Championship Series in the 2027 season.”
The company also thanked the Pokémon UNITE community for its passion and commitment over the past several years.
A New Standalone Championship
Although Pokémon UNITE is leaving the Play! Pokémon World Championships, competitive play isn’t ending.
Instead, The Pokémon Company has announced that Pokémon UNITE will receive its own dedicated international event.
According to the official announcement:
- A standalone in-person Pokémon UNITE tournament will be held in Japan.
- Qualified teams will receive paid travel support to attend.
- Qualification details, tournament format, and travel information will be announced at a later date through the official Pokémon UNITE website.
This means competitive UNITE will continue to receive global support—just outside of the traditional Pokémon World Championships.
No Reason Has Been Given
One notable aspect of the announcement is that The Pokémon Company did not explain why Pokémon UNITE is being removed from the World Championships.
No official reason has been provided regarding the decision, leaving many fans speculating about what prompted the change.
At this stage, any suggestions about declining player numbers, viewership, scheduling, or other factors remain purely speculative.
The Rest of the Championship Series Continues
While Pokémon UNITE is leaving, the rest of the Play! Pokémon Championship Series will continue.
The 2027 season will still feature competition in:
- Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Video Game Championships (VGC)
- Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)
- Pokémon GO
These games will continue to culminate in the annual Pokémon World Championships.
A New Chapter for Pokémon UNITE
Although many fans will be disappointed to see Pokémon UNITE leave the World Championships stage, the announcement also opens the door for the game to develop its own identity as an esport.
A dedicated standalone international championship could allow for:
- A tournament format built specifically for UNITE.
- More teams competing at the highest level.
- Greater focus on the MOBA community.
- Expanded broadcast opportunities.
We’ll have to wait for future announcements to see exactly what The Pokémon Company has planned.
