The Big Easy just hosted one of the most intense, high-stakes weekends in esports history. The 2026 Pokémon North America International Championships (NAIC) have officially wrapped up at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Centre in New Orleans, Louisiana.

As the final International Championships event of the 2026 Championship Series season, the energy in NOLA was absolutely electric. Thousands of Trainers from around the globe gathered to secure their last major chance at qualifying for the 2026 World Championships in San Francisco this August. From calculated card plays to split-second mobile taps, new legends have officially etched their names into the history books.

Here is how the action unfolded across all four major divisions:

Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC)

This year marked a historic milestone as Pokémon Champions made its highly anticipated debut as the official tournament software for an International Championship. To match the monumental shift, the tournament floor was dominated by the raw power of Mega-Evolved Pokémon, with Mega Blastoise, Mega Venusaur, and Mega Charizard leading the charge.

The strategy was deeper than ever, but after intense Swiss rounds and a gruelling top-cut bracket on Championship Sunday, the master of the new meta emerged:

• Masters Champion: Francisco Pio Pero (IT)
• Seniors Champion: Conner Pietrusinski (US)
• Juniors Champion: Damon Zhu (NZ)

Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG)

The TCG Masters division was a masterclass in deck-building and nerves of steel. Facing off with the latest Chaos Rising expansion strategies, players had to navigate incredibly tight margins. In an all-out battle of wits on Sunday, James Kowalski claimed the top spot in the Masters division, solidifying his status as a premier global threat ahead of Worlds.

• Masters Champion: James Kowalski (US)
• Seniors Champion: David Boehmler (US)
• Juniors Champion: Luke Giffen (US)

Pokémon GO

The Pokémon GO stage was a rapid-fire showcase of shield baiting, fast attacks, and clutch switches. Coming off the momentum of the European International Championships (EUIC), the competitive field was tighter than ever. In the end, Ryan Shoushi (PsyRhino) out-tapped and out-strategised the competition to secure the ultimate victory in New Orleans.

• Champion: Ryan Shoushi (PsyRhino) (US)

Pokémon UNITE

The Aeos Island action was furious during “The Final Stretch” bracket stage. Teams brought world-class synergy, macro-management, and explosive team fights to the main stage, all vying for a slice of the $16,000 regional grand prize. In a spectacular grand final, powerhouse organisation Dignitas proved their roster’s dominance, taking home the trophy and stamping their ticket to San Francisco.

• Champions: Dignitas (zugrug, ttv・otter, T3・Zelot, Toon, indie, Kidtanz.)

Next Stop: The World Championships

With the 2026 NAIC officially in the books, the road to the World Championships is locked in. The top finishers from this weekend have secured their direct invitations, and all eyes now turn to San Francisco, California, this August, where the absolute best in the world will battle for the ultimate title of World Champion.

Did you tune into the streams this weekend? Which grand final match was your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!

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