attendees at this year’s Pokémon World Championships got far more than they bargained for during the closing ceremony, as global pop superstar Ed Sheeran took the stage for a surprise performance that sent shockwaves through the arena.
A Shock Opening for the Closing Ceremony
The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter appeared unannounced at the weekend’s closing festivities, treating fans to a live rendition of his Pokémon-inspired single Celestial. But the biggest crowd-pleaser came when Sheeran picked up his guitar and delivered a stripped-back, acoustic cover of the original Pokémon anime’s iconic theme tune — instantly transporting longtime fans back to the late 1990s when the franchise first conquered television screens worldwide.
The intimate, unplugged take on the beloved theme was met with roaring applause, with many attendees taking to social media to share clips of the once-in-a-lifetime moment. For a franchise built on nostalgia as much as new discoveries, the performance struck exactly the right emotional chord.
Ed Sheeran’s Long-Standing Love for Pokémon
While the appearance may have been a surprise, Sheeran’s connection to the Pokémon franchise is anything but new. The British musician has been open about his lifelong fandom, frequently discussing his love for the games in interviews and on social media.
How “Celestial” Became a Pokémon Collaboration
Released in 2022, Celestial was born directly from Sheeran’s passion for the series. The song was created in partnership with The Pokémon Company and even made its way into Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, playing at key moments in the Switch RPGs. An accompanying music video featured animated sequences of Sheeran alongside Pokémon, blending his music career with the franchise he grew up adoring.
Previous Pokémon Crossovers
Long before his World Championships appearance, Sheeran had already embedded himself in Pokémon culture. He partnered with Pokémon GO for a special in-game concert event in 2022, which turned in-game landscapes into concert venues and gave players exclusive encounter opportunities timed to his music. His genuine enthusiasm — rather than a simple corporate tie-in — has made him one of the most authentic celebrity ambassadors the franchise has ever had.
Why the Performance Mattered to Fans
The Pokémon World Championships represent the pinnacle of competitive play, drawing trainers from around the globe to battle across titles like the trading card game, Pokémon GO, Pokémon Unite, and the mainline video game series. Closing ceremonies are typically celebratory but predictable affairs — which makes Sheeran’s unannounced set a genuinely memorable break from tradition.
For a fanbase that spans multiple generations, hearing the original anime theme performed live by one of the world’s biggest recording artists served as a powerful reminder of how far Pokémon has come — and how deeply its roots still resonate. It’s the kind of crossover moment that bridges casual nostalgia lovers and hardcore competitive players alike.
If the performance has you itching to revisit the world of Pokémon yourself — whether that’s the anime-inspired adventures or the latest mainline titles — you can pick up Pokémon Scarlet, Pokémon Violet, or Nintendo eShop gift cards at discounted prices on TURGAME.com and jump straight back into catching ’em all.
Source: Eurogamer