Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance at the Pokémon World Championships closing ceremony during the weekend, performing “Celestial” and an acoustic version of the original Pokémon anime theme. According to reports from Eurogamer and VGC, the singer’s set came as the competitive event drew to a close.
“Celestial” has an established connection to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the current-generation Pokémon games. The acoustic treatment of the anime opening reached further back into the series’ history, drawing on the theme song from the franchise’s first animated show.
The set connected Pokémon’s games and animated past
The two song choices placed different parts of Pokémon’s long-running media presence on the same stage. Scarlet and Violet represent the video game side of the franchise, while the original anime theme remains closely associated with the first television series and its opening sequence.
That made the performance a fitting addition to a championship ceremony built around competitive play. The Pokémon World Championships centers on high-level competition, but it also brings together players and fans invested in the games, animation and broader culture surrounding the series.
Sheeran’s involvement also gives “Celestial” a renewed presence alongside Pokémon’s competitive calendar. Rather than being used only in connection with Scarlet and Violet, the track was presented beside a song that has remained recognizable across generations of fans.
A high-profile closing for a competitive gathering
Closing ceremonies often provide a final shared moment after competition ends, and this appearance used two songs with direct franchise links. For attendees, the set tied the modern games to Pokémon’s earliest animated identity in a setting focused on the present-day competitive scene.
The exact date and venue of Sheeran’s appearance remain unconfirmed. It is also unclear who arranged or announced the surprise performance, and available accounts do not establish whether he played any songs beyond “Celestial” and the acoustic anime theme.
