For thePokémonfandom, February brings one of the biggest events of the year: Pokémon Day. The annual event celebrates the birthday of the iconic IP, and has also historically been a huge day for reveals - most recently, last year’s presentation saw theannouncement ofPokémon Legends: Z-A. As always, the Pokémon Company is keeping things close to the chest when it comes to what viewers can expect from the Pokémon Presents, but that hasn’t stopped fan speculation.
This last weekend saw thousands of fans, media, and creators gather forthe Pokémon European Championships in Londonto see three days of intense competition across thePokémon Trading Card Game,GO,Unite, andScarlet & Violet. The winners across the four categories will go to Worlds later this year in Anaheim, California to compete for ultimate champion status.ScreenRantchatted with a myriad of creators at the event about the upcoming holiday- these were their predictions for the big day.
Hopes For Potential Pokémon Legends: Z-A News
Pokémon Day Could Bring More Footage Or A Release Date For The Elusive Game
Since the initial announcement, fans have gotten absolutelyno follow-up information when it comes toPokémon Legends: Z-A. The next in theLegendsseries following 2022’sArceus, basically all that’s known about the title is its setting, the Paris-inspired Lumiose City, which is a part of the Kalos region. Players aren’t even sure ifZ-Atakes place in the pastor future, though the initial trailer did take a futuristic slant in its aesthetic.
However, considering that last year’s Pokémon Presents was where players saw the game first announced, chances are high that 2025 could offer more insight. This was a common sentiment among the creators I spoke to at EUIC, with bothalcremiesundaeandjustinjacobzechoing the same idea:
alcremiesundae: It has to be a release date forZ-A. It’s been a year, I’m fiending for news on Z-A.
justinjacobz: Pokémon Z-A, I think they’re going to announce it and I can’t wait.
Just how much will be shared - if anything - about the new title is unclear, but having a better picture of when fans can expect the game, and how its release will work when it comes to the Nintendo Switch 2 would be a great addition to the Presents.
Many Think A New Eeveelution Is In The Works
A New Generation Of Pokémon Could Finally Expand Eevee’s Line
Outside ofPokémon Legendspredictions, the other most prevalent thought regarding the Pokémon Presents wasthe reveal of a new Eeveelution. Fans have long been speculating that either Gen 10 orZ-Acould bring a new Eeveelution, the first instance of an addition to the line since Sylveon. The rumors regarding this are multifaceted in their reasoning, from past leaks that have suggested a flying-type Eevee was supposedly planned for Gen 7, to the Pokémon Day giveaway being a Flying Tera Type Eevee, to the fact it’s simply been a while.
Why A Poison-Type Eeveelution Should Be Introduced In Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Pokémon Legends: Z-A should add one more eeveelution, and the Poison-type is certainly the best option to go with.
Historically, Eeveelutions have only come in mainline games, which has made some fans dubiousZ-Acould be where a new one arrives. However, a reveal of one in some capacity certainly isn’t off the table for this year’s Pokémon Presents, either for the newLegendsgame or in relation to the next mainline generation. Creatorsheyitsnicola_andpokegirlrachcertainly think there’s a possibility fans will see it this Thursday:
heyitsnicola_: I really, really hope that it’s a new Eeveelution. It’s about time. I’ve seen the teasers. We’re thinking there might be one, but not sure - hopefully. That’s my prediction.
pokegirlrach: I think we’re going to get a new Eeveelution this year; well, that’s what I’m hoping for at the very least.
A Previously-Leaked Pokémon Set May Be Officially Announced
While many predictions at EUIC focused on the video games, creatornuke_popoffered up a guess regarding thePokémon Trading Card Gameand its new set,Scarlet & Violet: Destined Rivals:
nuke_pop: I think, hopefully, we’ll see Destined Rivals, the TCG set. I’m really hoping to see more of that, because I want to see the Giovanni’s Mewtwo ex Illustration Rare. I’m assuming that exists, and I’m so excited for that card. I know it’s going to be incredible visually. I just can’t wait.
There are some things fans alreadyknow aboutDestined Rivals, but none of it has officially come from the Pokémon Company. Instead, it’s been cobbled together from a combination of rumors, leaks, and accidental reveals, like the recent badge art from gamescom latam, which showed members of Team Rocket alongside Pokémon.It’s thought that the new set will release some time this May, and will draw inspiration from Japanese setsHeat Wave ArenaandThe Glory of Team Rocket, but the Pokémon Presents could finally offer fans more definitive information.
Some Creators Have Loftier Dreams For Pokémon Day
Higher Hopes For Bigger News On Nintendo’s Plans For The Future
When it came to predictions, a few of the people I spoke to had bigger hopes for what fans would see during the Pokémon Presents. For creatorrina0saki, this meant news about Nintendo’s upcoming console:
rina0saki: I want to say - probably holding up too much hope - the Nintendo Switch 2 perhaps?
Whilethere’s a Nintendo Direct planned for April 2 dedicated entirely to the Nintendo Switch 2, it’s not necessarily out of the question that some small glimpse could be given ahead of that. If Nintendo does indeed plan on revealing more details about upcoming games during the Pokémon Presents, it could mean that fans will learn if they’ll be coming to the current or next generation of console - or both.VGCjournalist Jordan Middler (jordanmiddler) also had big hopes for the event, but instead of the Switch 2, he was focused on Generation 10:
Jordan Middler: I think it’s about time to see something from Gen 10. Maybe next year will be the big year for it, but in my heart I think we’re getting a slight tease at the next generation.
There have been a lot ofrumors aboutPokémonGen 10, but nothing concrete has been revealed to players yet. From ideas about potential locales like Italy and Australia, to whether it will be tied to the Switch or Switch 2, to a shake up from typical starter selection, there has been a massive amount of speculation from fans. As Middler says, with next year bringing the 30th anniversary, it’s possible bigger reveals and releases are being saved for 2026, but this year’s Pokémon Presents would still be a great opportunity to tease a bit of what’s to come.
Off-The-Wall Pokémon Day Predictions
When You Don’t Know What To Expect, Take A Random Guess
One thing that has always been true about the Pokémon Presents that takes place on Pokémon Day is that there’s generally going to be at least one reveal out of leftfield that fans haven’t been expecting. In line with this, some interviewees took the approach of completely random, jokier guesses. Joe Merrick (serebii_joe), the webmaster of Pokémon website Serebii, threw out an idea that honestly sounds like a lot of fun:
Joe Merrick: Well, I just want to be surprised, so I’m going to say some sort of Pokémon theme park simulator.
Creatorduragdragontook an even more humorous approach, instead giving an answer that would, undoubtedly, be quite the surprise:
duragdragon: I’m thinking Pokémon Cafe ReMix 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out, so we need something with better graphics, and hopefully that’s the game to do it. I don’t know why you’re laughing.
Even though these answers - especially the latter - are largely pulled out of thin air and are meant more as amusing conjecture, there’s really no way to predict just what kind of announcements this year will hold. While some theories, like news onLegends: Z-AorDestined Rivals, are arguably more likely, what the Pokémon Company has in store is currently still a complete mystery. Thankfully, fans only have a bit more time to wait until this year’sPokémoncelebration gets underway.
The Pokémon Presents will air February 27 at 6:00 AM PST, and can be streamed on theofficial Pokémon YouTube channel.
