Pokémon GO joins the 2025 Pokémon World Championships, bringing Raids and themed items

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Story Highlights

  • The event features wild and Shiny encounters, five Special Trades per day, exclusive Timed Research, and more.
  • Varsity Jacket Pikachu will debut during the event, along with its Shiny version.
  • GO Battle League is also getting a new arena, battle music, 100 daily battles, 4x Stardust, and themed Timed Research.

Niantic has revealed that Pokémon GO will be a part of the 2025 Pokémon Global Championship, happening from August 15 to 17, 2025, in Anaheim, California. To mark the occasion, the game is introducing several events, accessories for your avatar, and other exciting features. The Championships were first announced back in August 2024.

CelebratePokémon World Championships with in-game surprises in Pokémon GO

Pokémon GO is set to participate in the Championships, where players from around the world are preparing to battle it out for the title of the World Champion in Pokémon GO. If you’re eager to watch, the live coverage begins at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time every day, and you can obtain a code for the 2025 Worlds Tee (White) on the initial day.

Trainers! The year is 2025 and #PokemonGO is hosting the Pokémon World Championships as well as the GO Battle League!

Mark your calendars! The celebration takes place from August 15 at 10:00 a.m. to August 17 at 8:00 p.m., in your local time zone.

— Pokémon GO (@PokemonGoApp) August 1, 2025

In the game, a unique Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket will make its first appearance, and if you’re fortunate, you might come across its Shiny variant. You can discover these special Pikachus in One-Star Raids, as well as through Field Research tasks. Additionally, Lapras, Dusclops, and Diggersby will be found in Three-Star Raids.

Starting August 15th, wild encounters will feature Pokémon such as Nidoran♀, Mankey, Marill, Paldean Wooper, Spoink, Inkay, Rookidee, and Fuecoco. You might also come across their shiny counterparts. Additionally, rarer Pokémon like Male Frillish and Vullaby may be found. You can perform five Special Trades each day to find more, and you can discover even more in the GO Battle League track.

Explore Timed Research, GO Battle League upgrades, event-exclusive items, and more

For just $5, you have the opportunity to unlock event-specific research tasks, featuring a Premium Battle Pass, 25,000 Stardust, and battles with Pokemon such as Lickitung, Lapras, Azumarill, Sableye, Swalot, Claydol, Carbink, Guzzlord, and Lokix. An additional benefit is that some captured or evolved Pokemon will learn or know Charged Attacks.

Furthermore, the GO Battle League will undergo a revamp from August 11 to 17, showcasing a brand new battle arena and music for battles. During this period, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in up to 100 battles daily, receive quadruple Stardust for your victories, and complete time-limited research tasks themed around battling during the Go Battle Weekend.

I’m looking forward to acquiring the 2025 Worlds Jersey and Visor from the in-game marketplace, as well as themed stickers from PokéStops, Gifts, and the in-game store. Additionally, you can get different boxes such as the GO Battle Weekend Ultra Ticket Box and the TM Elite Master Box from the Pokemon GO online shop.

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2025-08-04 18:43