Shall We Go to Busan with Pikachu? Busan Transportation Corporation to Launch 'Pokémon Mega Festa' in July

A Major Event Combining Urban Rail, Tourism, and Interactive Experiences

Five Key Stations from Busan Station to Centum City Station at the Core

Busan Transportation Corporation, in partnership with Pokémon Korea Inc., will host the 'Pokémon Mega Festa 2026 in Busan' from July 17 to August 9.

This event is a follow-up project to last year’s 'Pokémon Subway Stamp Rally in Busan,' which was the first of its kind among national railway organizations. The citywide festival expands on the popular subway-linked content from last year, evolving it into an interactive celebration across Busan.

The impact of last year's event was also evident in the numbers. During the event period, approximately 210,000 limited-edition Pokémon QR tickets were sold, while the number of passengers on the Busan Metro increased by 4.2% and transport revenue rose by 2.8% compared to the same period the previous year. Usage at major event stations such as Busan Station, Jeonpo Station, and Gwangan Station also increased by more than 10% on average.

Particularly notable was the excitement on social media over innovative ideas such as QR tickets with unique designs for each station and ticket gates featuring Pokémon voices, which combined subway infrastructure with character content and attracted nationwide attention.

This year’s event will be centered around five stations: Busan Station, Beomnaegol Station, Jeonpo Station, Gwangan Station, and Centum City Station. Visitors will be able to purchase limited-edition QR tickets with Pokémon designs and participate in a stamp rally coordinated with the Lotte Department Store Busan Main Branch pop-up store.

The Pokémon-themed trains operating during the event period are also set to attract attention. The trains and stations will be decorated with various Pokémon character displays and interactive elements, offering a unique and enjoyable experience for passengers.

Programs for families have also been enhanced. Debuting this year, 'Pokémon School' is an interactive program where children can learn the basic rules and how to play the Pokémon card game. This program will be available to pre-registered participants at Jeonpo Station, Gwangan Station, and Centum City Station.

The event is more than just a character-themed gathering; it also serves as a regional co-existence project. Jointly organized by Busan Transportation Corporation and Pokémon Korea Inc., the initiative involves local organizations such as BEXCO, the Busan Facilities Corporation, and the Busan Bus Transportation Business Association.

Prior to the main event, BEXCO is accepting submissions for the 'Pokémon Drawing Contest' until the 28th of this month. In addition, on August 1, during the event, BEXCO will host the 'Pokémon Card Game Busan Transportation Corporation Battle Tournament,' which is expected to draw the attention of Pokémon fans from across the country.

Lee Byungjin, President of Busan Transportation Corporation, said, "This year, we have expanded the scale of the event by collaborating with various organizations in the Busan region and have enriched the content to capture the unique character of Busan. We hope visitors will discover new aspects of Busan’s charm by riding the city’s subway with Pokémon."

Pokémon Mega Festa Guide.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.