The Pokémon Fossil Museum Is Bringing Real and Fake Pokémon Fossils to the U.S. Next Year

The Pokémon Company has officially announced that the Pokémon Fossil Museum will make its North American debut in May 2026. If you're curious about what the Pokémon Fossil Museum entails, it's a unique exhibition that juxtaposes fabricated Pokémon "fossils" with real-world ancient lifeforms found in fossils. Following its initial launch in Japan, this fascinating exhibit is set to open at Chicago's Field Museum on May 22, 2026, marking its first venture outside of Japan.

During your visit to the museum, you’ll have the opportunity to explore vibrant Pokémon models displayed alongside extinct lifeforms from the Field Museum’s collection. This includes scientific casts of notable Field Museum dinosaurs such as SUE the T. rex and the Chicago Archaeopteryx, which will be showcased next to Fossil Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops. The experience promises a unique blend of fantasy and science, challenging visitors to spot the differences and similarities between these ancient creatures and their Pokémon counterparts.

Pokémon Fossil Museum Virtual Tour

View 7 Images

For those unable to make the trip to either Japan or Chicago, The Pokémon Company and Toyohashi Museum of Natural History have collaborated to offer a virtual tour of the Pokémon Fossil Museum. This digital experience allows Pokémon enthusiasts to explore the exhibit from the comfort of their homes, featuring a collection of both real and Pokémon fossils, including everything from a tyrannosaurus to a Tyrantrum.

In other Pokémon-related news, a significant incident occurred in the UK where a man was arrested after police discovered he was in possession of stolen Pokémon cards valued at approximately £250,000 ($332,500). The discovery was made during a raid by Greater Manchester Police on a residence in Hyde, Tameside, located on the outskirts of Greater Manchester. A police spokesperson humorously referenced the popular Pokémon slogan, saying, "Gotta catch 'em all."