The Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition will make its North American debut at Chicago’s Field Museum on May 22, 2026! The Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition has been incredibly popular in Japan, giving a unique experience of bringing together the worlds of Pokémon and paleontology, inviting comparisons between Fossil Pokémon and fossils from our world.
This exhibition runs from May 22nd, 2026 until April 11th, 2027, meaning if you are heading to Chicago for Pokémon GO Fest 2026 you can add in a trip to the Fossil Museum exhibition too!
Pokémon GO Mini Event
From Friday, May 22, 2026, to Sunday, April 11, 2027, the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition at the Field Museum in Chicago will offer content for Pokémon GO during museum hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CDT (with the last entry at 4:00 p.m.) The following will be available to Trainers near the Field Museum at no cost*:
Encounter Excavator Pikachu from collaboration-themed Timed Research and Field Research
In-person raids with Excavator Pikachu and Mega Aerodactyl
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Fossil Pokémon will appear in the wild
Spin PokéStops to obtain event-themed stickers
Themed Collection Challenge
Take a few snapshots for a surprise
*Pokémon GO Fossil Museum gameplay and bonuses will be available within the museum area during active event hours. This content will replace all other Pokémon GO gameplay and bonuses, and similar bonuses will not stack.
Tickets
You can purchase a timed entry ticket to the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition as an add-on to your General Admission ticket to the Field Museum. Tickets may be purchased onsite, but it is strongly recommended that visitors buy tickets online in advance to ensure availability. The Field Museum cannot guarantee tickets will be available for the exhibition on the day of your visit.
Tickets for the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition will have timed entry. It is recommended that you arrive at the Museum at least 30 minutes before your scheduled entry time. Visitors will not be allowed into the exhibition before their scheduled time. You may join the queue approximately 10 minutes before your scheduled entry time. If you miss your entry time the museum cannot guarantee you will be allowed late entry.
The Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibition is a self-guided experience, but you can plan to spend approximately 30 to 45 minutes in the space.
Merchandise
Pokémon Fossil Museum ticket holders will be able to shop for themed merchandise at the Pokémon Fossil Museum Exhibition Store across the hall from the exhibition on the Field Museum’s main floor, while supplies last and with purchase limits in effect.
Inspired by the exhibition’s celebration of scientific discovery, the new merchandise lineup features Pokémon Fossil Museum artwork showcasing Pokémon such as the adorable “Excavator Pikachu,” Aerodactyl, Archeops, and Tyrantrum on keychains, tote bags, Pokémon Trading Card Game accessories, stickers, clothing, and more.
Don’t worry if you can’t visit the Field Museum in person. Many of these products are currently available in the Fossil Museum collection at the Pokémon Center.
The Excavator Pikachu plush is the highlight of this special collection. Armed with a pickaxe and a cute outfit, this Pikachu is ready to unearth some fossil Pokémon of their own.
The collection also includes an array of Fossil Pokémon on a variety of items from tote bags and pins, to caps, T-shirts, home goods, and more.
The Sitting Cuties line of Pokémon plushies is also back in stock with all the Fossil Pokémon featured, including Omanyte, Bastiodon, and Tyrantrum. This plushie range is a cute miniature size making it the ideal size for any collection.
Purchase Limits
Please note that a Field Museum general admission ticket and an add-on Pokémon Fossil Museum ticket are required to participate in Pokémon Fossil Museum activities. Visitors will need to present their valid Pokémon Fossil Museum ticket to receive a voucher that will be distributed at the end of the exhibition and can be used to access the Pokémon Fossil Museum Exhibition Store.
Visitors will need to present their valid Pokémon Fossil Museum ticket to receive a voucher that will be distributed at the end of the exhibition and can be used to access the Pokémon Fossil Museum Exhibition Store. To provide a smooth experience for visitors, Pokémon Fossil Museum merchandise purchases will be limited to a maximum of five total items, including a maximum of one Excavator Pikachu Plush, per voucher.
Select items from the Pokémon Fossil Museum merchandise range are expected to be restocked periodically during the exhibition. However, all items will be subject to purchase limits and available while supplies last.
