The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) announced a limited-time collaboration to celebrate World Space Week, planned for 4–10 October 2026, according to a statement published on 4 August 2026.

Anne-Sophie Bradelle, head of ESA's communication department, described working with Pokémon as an opportunity to connect broad audiences with space through creative storytelling, saying the partnership draws on shared values of curiosity and imagination and supports ESA's Strategy 2040 goal of inspiring Europe, particularly young people and future generations. The announcement said both organizations aim to build links between space, science and storytelling and to interest younger audiences and fans worldwide.

ESA said further details of the collaboration will be revealed soon. It described itself as an intergovernmental organization created in 1975 with 23 Member States, and said TPCi manages the Pokémon property outside Asia.