Pokémon World Championships bring closures and drone shows to San Francisco

San Francisco is hosting the 2026 Pokémon World Championships from Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 30, bringing tournament traffic and temporary access changes to downtown, SoMa and Mission Bay.

The main venues are Moscone Center and Chase Center. Drivers should expect slower trips and limited curb access near Moscone, while Chase Center controls will operate around scheduled arena events rather than continuously throughout the weekend.

Moscone-area street closures

Howard Street is fully closed between Third and Fourth streets from 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, through 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1. Minna Street is fully closed between Fourth Street and a point 500 feet west of Fourth Street from Tuesday, Aug. 25, through Sunday, Aug. 30, daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Partial closures are also scheduled near Moscone Center. From 6 a.m. Aug. 19 through 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1, they affect Howard Street between Hawthorne and Third streets, Third Street between Folsom and Mission streets, Folsom Street between Third and Fifth streets, and Fourth Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Howard Street between Fourth Street and a point 500 feet west of Fourth Street has an additional partial closure from 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 26, through 4 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31.

Drivers should follow posted detours and avoid using the affected blocks for through travel. SFMTA lists Mission Street or Harrison Street as vehicle detour options around the Howard Street closure.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors separately authorized temporary sidewalk closures on both sides of Howard Street between Third and Fourth streets from Aug. 25 through Aug. 31. The resolution, adopted April 21, is subject to the Interdepartmental Staff Committee on Traffic and Transportation issuing an event permit. That sidewalk authorization is distinct from SFMTA’s roadway-closure schedule.

Muni remains available, with possible delays

SFMTA says Muni routes and stops will remain in place and will not require event-related reroutes. Riders may still experience minor delays around the championship footprint because of traffic and pedestrian activity.

For Moscone Center, the T Third Street line provides access to Yerba Buena-Moscone Station. SFMTA identifies transit as the preferred way to reach the venue. Nearby parking garages remain open, but drivers should allow extra time because street closures and event traffic may affect approaches and curb access.

Chase Center controls depend on arena events

Visitors going to Chase Center should expect traffic controls around scheduled events. From two hours before until one hour after each event, controls include closures on 16th Street between Third Street and Terry Francois Boulevard and on Warriors Way between Third Street and Terry Francois Boulevard. Northbound Illinois Street between Mariposa and 16th streets will be limited to local access.

An additional closure of northbound Third Street between 16th Street and Warriors Way will run from 30 minutes before until 45 minutes after each event. SFMTA lists the T Third Street line, the S Shuttle Mission Bay and the 78X 16th Street Arena Express among transit options for Chase Center.

BART will use longer evening trains

BART will run longer evening trains on multiple lines from Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 30, to add capacity for riders traveling to the championships and the related public drone shows. The change does not mean every train will be longer or that BART is adding a separate late-night service pattern.

Powell Station is the closest BART station to Moscone Center. Riders can continue by Muni or walk, depending on their route and destination. BART advises riders to check schedules and transfers because trains will not be held for late-arriving event passengers.

Free drone shows near the Ferry Building

A free Pokémon-themed drone show is scheduled above the Ferry Building each night during the championships. The displays will be publicly viewable from the plazas in front of and behind the Ferry Building and nearby park spaces such as Sue Bierman Park.

The scheduled start times are 9:35 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, and 9:20 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29-30. SFMTA says each show will last approximately eight to 10 minutes, so the listed times should be treated as scheduled starts rather than a guarantee of an exact duration.

SFMTA says no street closures are planned for the Ferry Building show area. Even so, spectators should expect crowds and use transit where practical.

Sources

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