Every year, LEGO releases tons of sets themed after popular IP it's collaborated with, from Harry Potter to Marvel to DC. But this year is different. In 2026, LEGO will start its biggest partnership to date.
For gamers, LEGO's latest partnership has been a long time coming, and the brick-building company isn't skimping on this first outing either. LEGO has huge plans for this latest collaboration, and the first sets should start releasing very soon.
LEGO Pokemon sets are coming in 2026 with massive rollout
2026 marks the kick-off for LEGO's major partnership with Pokemon, which is easily one of the biggest collaborations for the company. While LEGO has featured Nintendo IP like Mario and The Legend of Zelda in its sets, Pokemon is arguably the hottest commodity in the Switch 2 maker's stable.
And for LEGO, this is likely to be one of its biggest partnerships ever. Pokemon has been a huge monetization machine for anything and everything, be it the Trading Card Game, plushies, mobile experiences and more. It feels like every Pokemon partnership is a slam dunk, and I expect LEGO to be no different.
LEGO and Pokemon aren't testing the waters in 2026; There is allegedly a massive rollout planned for this first year. It makes sense given that 2026 is the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, and LEGO and Nintendo will likely want to take full advantage of any conversation that will center around the Pocket Monsters brand.
Things will reportedly kick off with a handful of sets in early 2026, one modestly priced and themed around Pikachu and another featuring Charizard. Then, if rumors are to be believed, a huge set featuring the three original Pokémon Red/Blue starters and their evolutions will set the tone for how expensive this collaboration could be. And finally, a series of sets will be released this summer, including some interactive ones that work in the same way as the Mario sets that have a mobile app connection.
I know LEGO has another Legend of Zelda set planned for this year that may not be Ocarina of Time themed, but as an overall collaboration, this Pokémon partnership is a big deal. When the sets first leaked and it looked like Pokemon played it safe with Pikachu and Charizard, I wasn't surprised. Then subsequent leaks revealed that LEGO and Pokemon wanted to give fans a variety of sets and that an interactive experience was planned.
What to expect from LEGO and Pokemon's collaboration in 2026
While I'm not the biggest fan of the interactive Mario experience, the sets themselves are still pretty awesome, and I'm curious to see how LEGO iterates on that concept with Pokemon. More than that, though, I've been incredibly impressed by the detail and variety in LEGO sets of late, from the LEGO Game Boy set that has lots of clever details you don't even see, to the Stranger Things Creel House that pulls apart in a really fun bit of interactivity. LEGO Pokemon has tons of possibilities, and I can't wait to see what the sets bring to the table.
Official LEGO Pokemon sets are coming in 2026, but so far they're underwhelming and expensive
LEGO is kicking off 2026 with a bang by releasing around 200 new sets, but the partnership with Pokémon may not be as exciting as it seems.
While this partnership is huge for LEGO fans, it's not the only thing Pokemon fans have to look forward to this year. As mentioned, this is the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, and there are tons of events and reveals planned for the next 12 months. New TCG sets are on the horizon, starting with Ascended Heroes this month. McDonald's is teaming up with Pokemon again for Happy Meals. Adidas has a Mewtwo-themed sneaker in the works. And, of course, Pokemon Gen 10 is expected to be revealed this year and could be released before the end of 2026.
It's going to be a big year for Pokemon fans, but I'm most looking forward to seeing these sets. It feels like there's a little something for everyone planned, and while my wallet is nervous about the potential price tags, my enthusiasm is sky high.
