The impending closure of Pokémon Unite will come just two days after the most lucrative Pokémon esports event ever. Earlier today, the Pokémon Company confirmed that Pokémon Unite will permanently cease operations next year. The Pokémon MOBA will be taken offline, with players only able to open the game to look at cosmetic items they previously purchased. The game will end on March 23, 2027, two days after the $1 million Pokémon Unite Aeos Crown 2027 tournament concludes. Pokémon Unite Aeos Crown 2027 On the same day that the end of Pokémon Unite was announced, registration opened for the Aeos Crown 2027 tournament. After being removed from the Pokémon World Championships, Aeos Crown has been confirmed as the last-ever Pokémon Unite esports event. This tournament’s offline finals will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from March 20 to March 21, 2027. And it will double any past Pokémon World Championship event’s prize pool with a $1m haul, the highest of any Pokémon esports event ever. Fancy yourself an esports expert? Start trading with a $20 deposit at Polymarket and receive a $50 bonus! The winning team will earn a physical crown, as the event’s name suggests, while the substantial prize pool will be divided as follows: 1st – $100k 2nd – $70k 3rd-4th – $50k 5th-8th – $30k 9th-16th – $10k 17th-24th – $3000 25th-32nd – $750 Online regional qualifiers will take place between December 2026 and February 2027 to decide the final 32 teams. Pokémon Unite World Championships 2026 winners, ZETA DIVISION, have been directly invited to the Aeos Crown finals. Meanwhile, the remaining slots will be divided across regions based on previous results: Japan – 4 slots (Including ZETA DIVISION) Korea – 2 slots Taiwan/Hong Kong – 1 slot Philippines – 1 slot Malaysia/Singapore – 1 slot Thailand – 1 slot Indonesia – 2 slots India – 1 slot Last Chance Qualifier APAC West – 1 slot Last Chance Qualifier APAC East – 1 slot North America – 4 slots Latin America North – 3 slots Latin America South – 2 slots Brazil – 3 slots Europe – 3 slots Oceania – 1 slot What are your thoughts on Pokémon Unite shutting down altogether? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord. Meanwhile, former League of Legends World Champion Lauri ‘Cyanide’ Happonen has passed away aged 31. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter. An esports journalist for nine years with a focus on LoL Jack has written for national newspapers, interviewed major names, and driven people mad with puns. He's most proud of… MOBILE APP Level Up Your Gaming News Real-time news, exclusive podcasts, push alerts, and a better reading experience. Available on iOS & Android
