Pokémon trainers will soon be able to train and battle their favorite pocket monsters in the physical world. LEGOLAND Florida Resort has revealed that LEGO Pokémon will serve as the official headliner for the Play Zone at this year’s LEGO Festival, bringing a brand-new interactive experience to the family summer event.
Beginning July 20, 2026, park guests will be among the first in the world to experience the new LEGO Pokémon SMART Play system in action. The product line is scheduled to hit retail store shelves later this year in August, making the festival an exclusive preview window.
According to park organizers, the technology is designed to make physical play more dynamic, social, and active without relying on smartphone or tablet screens.
Inside the festival’s Play Zone, visitors can step into a Pokémon-inspired environment to bond with, nurture, and train a selection of five different Pokémon. The space includes a specialized Nurture area where guests can assemble brick-built snacks for their creatures.
By placing the creations on a snack table, a system of SMART tags allows the physical Pokémon to visibly react to the food. Guests can also build and display custom LEGO Poké Balls and take photos with a giant LEGO Pikachu model that will be stationed at the Winter Haven park for the duration of the event.
The hands-on training journey culminates at the LEGO Pokémon: Trainer Center. This area is dedicated to teaching guests how to master the mechanics of the SMART Play system, guiding families through the processes of bonding with their chosen characters and pairing them up for brick-built battles.
“LEGO® Pokémon™ brings an exciting new way for families to play together at this year’s LEGO® Festival,” said Brian Bacica, Park President of LEGOLAND Florida Resort. “Whether you’re a lifelong Pokémon fan or discovering it for the first time, families can build and share unforgettable moments together through hands-on experiences.”
The LEGO Festival will transform the resort for a limited four-week run, concluding on August 16, 2026. The park-wide celebration will feature a total of five interactive zones for attendees to explore: Music, Creative, Chill-Out, Thrill, and the newly debuted Play Zone.
The Pokémon experience will not be limited to the Florida theme park. LEGOLAND confirmed that the specialized Play Zone is rolling out globally, appearing at LEGOLAND California, LEGOLAND New York, LEGOLAND Deutschland, and LEGOLAND Windsor. Access to the Pokémon training areas and all other festival zones is fully included in the price of a standard regular admission ticket.
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