Every year, LEGO releases tons of sets themed around the popular IPs they work with, from Harry Potter to Marvel to DC. But this year is different. In 2026, LEGO is set to launch its biggest partnership yet.
For gamers, LEGO's latest partnership is one for the long haul, and the brick-building company isn't skimping on this first outing either. LEGO has big plans for this latest collaboration, and the first sets should start rolling out very soon.
LEGO Pokemon Sets Hit in 2026 with Massive Rollout
2026 marks the start of LEGO's big partnership with Pokemon, easily one of the biggest collaborations for the company. While LEGO has Nintendo IPs 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, it will probably be one of the biggest partnerships ever. Pokemon has been a massive revenue generating machine for anything and everything from trading card game, plushies, mobile experiences and more. I feel like any Pokémon partnership is a slam dunk and I expect LEGO to be no different.
LEGO and Pokemon aren't testing the waters in 2026; a massive rollout is reportedly planned for this first year. It makes sense given that 2026 is Pokemon's 30th anniversary, and LEGO and Nintendo likely want to take full advantage of all the conversations that will center around the Pocket Monsters brand.
Things are said to 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 containing three original Pokemon Red/Blue starters and their evolutions will set the tone for how expensive this collaboration can be. Finally, a number of kits will be released in the summer, including some interactive ones that work similar to Mario kits that include a connection to the mobile app.
I know LEGO has another Legend of Zelda set planned for this year that may or 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 was playing it safe with Pikachu and Charizard, I wasn't surprised. Subsequent leaks then showed that LEGO and Pokemon wanted to offer fans different 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 fantastic and I'm curious to see how LEGO iterates on the concept with Pokemon. More than that, I've been extremely impressed with the detail and variety of LEGO sets lately, from the LEGO Game Boy set, which has lots of clever features you can't even see, to the Stranger Things Creel House, which breaks down into a really fun bit of interactivity. LEGO Pokemon has a lot of potential 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 its collaboration with Pokemon may not be as exciting as it seems.
While this partnership is huge for LEGO fans, it's not the only thing Pokémon fans can look forward to this year. As mentioned, this is Pokemon's 30th anniversary and there are many 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 is preparing sneakers with a Mewtwo motif. 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 excited to see these sets. There seems to be a little something planned for everyone, and while my wallet is nervous about the potential price tags, my excitement is sky high.
