Where to stay, how to get to Moscone and Chase Center, and everything to know before San Francisco’s first-ever Pokémon fan fest.
Pokémon XP is brand new for 2026 — a fan convention running alongside the Pokémon World Championships at Moscone Center, August 28-30. Championship Sunday finals move to Chase Center, meaning attendees are navigating two major venues in one weekend. Here’s how to plan around both.
Quick answer: Stay near Union Square or SoMa for easy access to both Moscone Center and Chase Center via Muni. Book hotels now — this is San Francisco’s first event of this kind and demand is expected to be high.
What Is Pokémon XP?
Pokémon XP is the first official fan convention of its kind, running August 28-30, 2026 at Moscone Center — the same weekend and location as the 2026 Pokémon World Championships. Expect panels, workshops, special guests, a pop-up Pokémon Center store, and community experiences. For the first time, Championship Sunday finals will be held separately at Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors.
Dates: August 28–30, 2026
Main venue: Moscone Center, 747 Howard St, San Francisco
Championship Sunday finals: Chase Center
Ticket registration: Opened September 2025 in two waves — check official Pokémon channels for any remaining availability
Where to Stay
Union Square or SoMa — Close to Both Venues
Since attendees need access to both Moscone Center (Thursday-Saturday) and Chase Center (Sunday finals), staying centrally between Union Square and SoMa gives you the easiest access to both via Muni or a short rideshare.
| Hotel | Location | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Marriott Marquis | Attached to Moscone Center | Most convenient possible — walk downstairs to the convention |
| Chancellor Hotel on Union Square | Union Square | Highly rated, walkable to Moscone, near Powell St BART |
| Hilton San Francisco Union Square | Union Square | Central, multiple nearby parking garages |
| Axiom Hotel | Union Square, steps from BART | Modern, walkable to transit and Moscone |
| The Mosser Hotel | 4th Street, near Moscone | Budget-friendly, walkable to the convention |
Book Your Pokémon XP Stay Now
This is San Francisco’s first event of its kind — hotels near Moscone and Union Square will fill up. Book early.
Getting to Moscone Center
Moscone Center sits in SoMa, well-served by BART and Muni. Powell Street and Montgomery Street BART stations are both a short walk away, making transit the easiest option for most attendees — especially given SoMa’s limited and expensive parking.
- From SFO: Take BART directly to Powell Street or Montgomery Street, then walk 8-10 minutes to Moscone. See our BART from SFO guide.
- From your hotel (if staying downtown): Most Union Square hotels are a 10-15 minute walk to Moscone Center.
- Parking: If driving, expect $30-50/day at nearby garages given event demand — book ahead through a parking app.
Book Parking Near Moscone Center
Reserve a spot in advance — event weekends fill garages fast.
Getting to Chase Center for Championship Sunday
Chase Center is in Mission Bay, a different part of the city from Moscone. If you’re attending the Sunday finals, plan your transit separately.
The T-Third Muni line has a direct stop at Chase Center — genuinely the easiest way to get there without dealing with event-day parking or post-event traffic. See our Chase Center parking guide for full details on all options if you’re driving.
Weekend Planning Tips
- Book hotels and any needed parking now — this is a brand-new event with unknown demand levels, and San Francisco hotel availability during major conventions tends to tighten quickly
- Plan your Sunday differently if attending finals at Chase Center — it’s a separate trip from Moscone, not walking distance
- Check official Pokémon XP channels for the most current schedule and any venue-specific updates as the event approaches
- Combine with other SF attractions — Union Square, Chinatown, and the Ferry Building are all walkable from a Moscone-area hotel if you have time between event sessions
Quick Reference: Pokémon XP 2026
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Event dates | August 28–30, 2026 |
| Main venue | Moscone Center, SoMa |
| Championship Sunday finals venue | Chase Center, Mission Bay |
| Best area to stay | Union Square or SoMa — close to both venues |
| Best transit to Moscone | BART to Powell St or Montgomery St, then walk |
| Best transit to Chase Center | T-Third Muni line — direct stop |
| Where to book discount parking | SpotHero San Francisco |
| Full SF neighborhood guide | Best Neighborhoods to Stay in San Francisco |
Pokémon XP is San Francisco’s newest major event, and with two venues in play across one weekend, a little planning goes a long way. Book your hotel centrally, know your transit plan for both Moscone and Chase Center, and you’ll spend the weekend enjoying the event instead of navigating logistics.
Event details change as we get closer to the date. Use our contact page to let us know about any updates we should reflect here.