​Thousands of Pokémon fans are descending on San Francisco this weekend — and the resulting cultural exchange is getting plenty of attention. More than 54,000 fans are expected to visit the Bay Area for the Pokémon World Championships, up from roughly 30,000 who attended last year’s competition in Anaheim.Pokemon players and enthusiasts gather for the Pokemon World Championships at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA / SplashNews.comWorkers prepare the grounds around the Moscone Convention Center for the Pokemon World Championships on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA / SplashNews.comHomeless replaced with Pokemon Scalpers in San Francisco #PokemonXPpic.twitter.com/Td4JizScXZ— Peak Hobby (@PeakHobby) August 28, 2026Thousands of Pokémon fans are descending on San Francisco this weekend. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA / SplashNews.comThe Aug. 28-30 tournament is taking over Moscone Center and Chase Center, with competitions for the Pokémon video games, trading cards, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.About 2,500 competitors from around the world will compete for a piece of a $2 million prize pool and the title of “World Champion.”And in-between rounds some out-of-state trainers are finding ways to keep their energy up.“Hey, I went to the Chipotle in San Francisco. I really wish they had this restaurant in Japan too,” one visitor posted on X. “It’s right in front of the Pokémon Center, so if you’re here for Worlds, you should definitely check it out.”And in-between rounds some out-of-state trainers are finding ways to keep their energy up. X/@elm_motochikaThe city is going full Pokémon.Workers prepare the grounds around the Moscone Convention Center for the Pokemon World Championships on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA / SplashNews.comThere will be pop-up events at places including Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.A Pokémon Worlds Night drone show took place after the Giants game at Oracle Park Thursday night.Free drone shows are also scheduled at the Ferry Building at 9:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9:20 p.m. Sunday.Pokemon Drone Show in San Francisco #PokemonXP#Pokemon#PokemonWorldspic.twitter.com/Snm0enTy0D— xacantha (@itsacantha) August 28, 2026Pokemon players and enthusiasts gather at the Moscone Convention Center for the Pokemon World Championships on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in San Francisco, California. Mark Hertzberg/ZUMA / SplashNews.comEven BART has been recruited.The Powell Street station, the closest BART stop to Moscone Center, has been decorated with Pokémon and Team Rocket.BART is expecting strong ridership as the championships collide with students returning to school and a Giants home series.BART spokesperson Chis Filippi had some advice for anyone considering driving into the Pokémon madness.One visitor taking BART for the first time apparently found the