Pokemon Is Celebrating Space Week With Cool Merch, And You Just Know Scalpers Will Ruin It
The Pokémon Company has partnered with the European Space Agency (ESA) to celebrate World Space Week, running October 4-10, 2026. As part of the collaboration, a special Pikachu plush toy traveled to the International Space Station, spending 67 days in orbit from April 11 to June 27, 2026, and completing 1,040 orbits around Earth. French astronaut Sophie Adenot transported the commemorative plush, capturing images to document the historic journey.
To commemorate the event, exhibitions featuring the space-traveling Pikachu will be displayed at ESA facilities during ESA Open Days and at museums throughout World Space Week across France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The collaboration aims to inspire public interest in space exploration through the iconic Pokémon character. The partnership also includes special merchandise tied to the event, though reports indicate scalper activity may complicate availability for fans.