The Field Museum will host the North American debut of The Pokémon Fossil Museum, presented by The Pokémon Company International. The exhibition opens on May 22, 2026 and runs through April 11, 2027. Chicago is the only city in North America where fans can experience it.
The exhibition first opened in Japan, created in collaboration with The National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo and The Pokémon Company. Now it makes its way to one of the world’s great natural history museums, right here in our city.
For the uninitiated: in the Pokémon world, the main goal is to become the very best trainer — earning that title by battling other trainers, collecting gym badges, and ultimately qualifying for tournaments to challenge the champion. But the real joy of Pokémon is in the journey of capturing creatures to build your team. You can find Pokémon in tall grass, trees, water, and air. One of the most exciting methods is finding a Pokémon fossil — once you have one, you can revive an ancient Pokémon and add it to your collection.
This special exhibit brings that experience to life with real-world context. The Pokémon Fossil Museum will invite visitors to compare fan-favorite ancient Pokémon like Tyrantrum and Archeops with actual fossils from the Field Museum’s renowned collection — including the world-famous Sue the T. Rex and the Chicago Archaeopteryx. The interactive exhibits showcase beloved Pokémon as a gateway to paleontology, evolution, and natural history.
“Three Field Museum scientists are featured throughout the exhibition: Chief Fossil Preparator Akiko Shinya, Assistant Curator of Early Tetrapods Arjan Mann, and Associate Curator of Fossil Reptiles Jingmai O’Connor. Their research and personal stories are woven into the experience, grounding the fantasy in real careers and real discoveries.” — The Field Museum
The Pokémon Fossil Museum promises to inspire visitors to look at some of their favorite Pokémon in a whole new light — and perhaps spark a lifelong interest in paleontology. This is a must-visit for Pokémon fans new and old, as well as anyone who loves natural history and the wonders of the ancient world.
For more information and tickets, visit fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/pokemon.