Pokémon Balloon Race

The Pokémon Balloon Race (Japanese: ポケモンききゅうだいレース The Big Pokémon Balloon Race) is an anime-exclusive competition held in Johto. It was featured in The Big Balloon Blow-Up.

The setting for the competition

Trainers ride in hot-air balloons shaped like various Pokémon. They can use Flying-type Pokémon to steer, and Fire-type Pokémon for hot-air. The balloons must first ascend to 1,000 feet up in the air and race towards a target on the ground. They then must drop a weight and try to land as close to the X on the target as possible.

In one race, Brock, Misty, and Ash tied for first place with Skyler and Tenma. Because there was only one prize of a new balloon engine available, Ash and his friends decided that Skyler should have it as participating and learning about ballooning was enough of a prize for them. Team Rocket also competed in this race but failed to finish.

Known competitors

Participant Place
Ash, Misty, and Brock Winners (tie)
Skyler and Tenma Winners (tie)
Team Rocket DNF


Pokémon used in the Pokémon Balloon Race

Ash, Misty, and Brock

 
Noctowl  
 
Cyndaquil

Team Rocket

 
Meowth

Skyler and Tenma

 
Fearow

Other competitors

 
Hoppip (×9)
 
Magmar
 
Azumarill
 
Heracross (×2)

In other languages

Language Title
  German Heißluftballon-Wettbewerb
  Italian Gara di Mongolfiere Pokémon
  Polish Wielkie Zawody Balonów
  Portuguese Corrida de Balões Pokémon
  Spanish Competición de globos aerostáticos Pokémon


Anime-exclusive Pokémon competitions
Multiregional Grand FestivalPokémon Baccer World CupPokémon League ConferencePokéRingerWallace Cup
World Coronation Series (Masters Eight Tournament)
Kanto Aura Guardian FestivalBeach Beauty and Pokémon Costume ContestBig P Pokémon RaceIndigo Plateau Conference
Kanto Grand FestivalMagikarp High Jump CompetitionP1 Grand PrixPokémon Grand Eating ContestPokémon Orienteering
Queen of the Princess Festival
Johto Extreme Pokémon RaceFire and Rescue Grand PrixGrass TournamentMareep FestivalPokémon Balloon Race
Pokémon Beauty ContestRock and Tumble One-on-One Tauros CompetitionRunning of the Tauros
Seaking Catching CompetitionSilver ConferenceSumo ConferenceSunflora FestivalTour de Alto MareWhirl Cup
Hoenn Battle Frontier Flute CupCrossgate PokéRingerEver Grande ConferenceFriendship FestivalHoenn Grand Festival
Marine Athletic RaceTrick House Contest
Sinnoh Croagunk FestivalFestival Battle ChallengeHearthome City Tag Battle CompetitionHearthome Collection
Lily of the Valley ConferencePokémon Dress-Up ContestPokémon Iceberg RacePokémon Ping Pong Tournament
Pokémon Summer AcademyPokémon TriathlonSinnoh Grand FestivalSinnoh Pokémon HustleSquallville PokéRinger
Unova Club BattleClubsplosionEindoak Harvest FestivalPokémon Performance CompetitionPokémon World Tournament Junior Cup
Pokéstar Studios Film CompetitionSubway Bosses' Stamp RallyVertress ConferenceWishing Bell Festival
Decolore Marine Cup TournamentPokémon Sumo TournamentScalchop King Competition
Kalos Lumiose ConferencePoké Puff ContestPokémon ShowcasePokémon Sky RelayPokémon Summer Camp
Alola Alola Bread FestivalCharjabug raceManalo Conference‎‎Pokémon Catch Adventure RacePokémon Pancake Race
Pokémon Ping-Pong tournamentPokémon Sled Jump GamesVikavolt race
Galar All-Alcremie Decoration Challenge
Unknown Pigton Town Tag BattlePokémon Catch Race


  This article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.