Pokémon Fossil Museum Coming to Chicago's Field Museum in 2026

Exhibit pairs Pokémon models with real-life fossils, debuting May 22, 2026

Pokémon Fossil Museum Makes North American Debut

The beloved Pokémon franchise has announced an exciting collaboration: the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition will open at Chicago's Field Museum on May 22, 2026. This marks the first time the unique exhibit will appear in North America.

What is the Pokémon Fossil Museum?

The exhibit compares fossil Pokémon—such as Omastar and Aerodactyl—with the real-life prehistoric creatures that inspired them.
It showcases detailed Pokémon models alongside genuine fossils, creating a bridge between science and pop culture.

What to Expect at the Exhibit

Visitors can look forward to seeing:

Sue the T. rex on display alongside Pokémon’s Tyrantrum
The Chicago Archaeopteryx paired up with Archeops
More displays comparing extinct creatures to their Pokémon counterparts

How to Stay Updated

If you’re a Pokémon trainer, paleontology enthusiast, or simply a fan, you can sign up for updates directly through the Field Museum.

Partners in Exhibit Creation

This exhibit is a collaboration between:

The Field Museum (Chicago)
The National Museum of Nature and Science (Tokyo)
The Pokémon Company International

A Brief History of the Pokémon Fossil Museum

The inaugural Pokémon Fossil Museum opened at Mikasa City Museum in Hokkaido, Japan, in July 2021.
Since then, it has appeared at several locations, including a recent stint at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in March 2025.

Sources: Pokémon franchise website, Field Museum