Pokémon to team up with the European Space Agency for World Space Week 2026

The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has announced a new collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) for World Space Week, which will run from October 4th to October 10th this year. Details for exactly what the collab will entail have not yet been revealed, but both organizations express a shared “desire to build bridges between space, science and storytelling, and to spark excitement among young audiences and fans around the world.”

ESA is a collaborative organization made up of 23 member countries across Europe. They work with the European Union (EU) on the Galileo and Copernicus programs, and currently support French astronaut Sophie Adenot aboard the International Space Station.

Anne‑Sophie Bradelle, Head of ESA Communication Department, said:
Working with Pokémon, a brand with such a rich and imaginative world, represents a unique opportunity for ESA to connect broad audiences with space through creative storytelling. Rooted in shared values of curiosity and imagination, this collaboration supports ESA’s ambition, as set out in Strategy 2040, to inspire Europe, especially young people and future generations.

TCPi and ESA describe the partnership as a “unique, limited-time collaboration [that] brings together two worlds united by curiosity, exploration and imagination.” New art for the collab features Pikachu among the stars, wearing an astronaut's jumpsuit. Further details for World Space Week 2026 are coming soon.

In similar news, The Pokémon Company is currently working with The National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) for a space-themed collab; the traveling educational exhibit features Astronomer Pikachu and plenty of merchandise.