Pokemon NAIC is Heading to Chicago for 2027
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
The Pokemon North America International Championships are moving from New Orleans to Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center for the 2027 event, according to an announcement by The Pokemon Company.
Competitive Pokemon is packing its bags. During the closing ceremonies at this year's tournament, The Pokemon Company announced that the Pokemon North America International Championships are leaving New Orleans and moving to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago for 2027. After a strong three year run in Louisiana, the massive competitive event is trading beignets for deep dish pizza as it looks to accommodate its rapidly growing community of players and spectators.
Chris Brown, who serves as TPCi Director of Global Esports and Events Producer, pointed to Chicago's status as a world class city during the announcement. While New Orleans proved to be a fantastic venue for the community, moving to a larger convention hub in Chicago makes complete sense for a circuit that continues to scale up year after year. For the thousands of competitors grinding the official ladder and fans tuning in across streaming platforms, the new venue promises plenty of space for the main stages, side tournaments, and vendor halls that define a modern esports major.
As competitive gaming continues to cement itself as a premier social and entertainment lifeline, venue logistics play a huge role in the player experience. The shift to Chicago should make travel more accessible for a massive portion of the North American player base, especially with the city acting as a major global transit hub. For original reporting and more details on the upcoming competitive season, you can check out the full story on IGN South Africa.
Tags: Pokemon, Esports, Competitive Gaming, Nintendo, Gaming Events
Original article: IGN South Africa