While the best Pokémon GO players in the world gather for the 2025 Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California from August 15 to 17, the rest of us have an opportunity to celebrate, cheer, and battle during the Pokémon GO World Championships celebration event from August 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to August 17, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. local time. During this event, Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket makes its Pokémon GO debut!
During the event, Trainers can look forward to an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket during this event, additional Pokémon encounters from participating in the GO Battle League, and up to five Special Trades per day. Get ready to battle like a champ against the following Pokémon appearing in raids during the event.
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One-star raids
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Three-star raids
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Lapras
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Dusclops
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Diggersby
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Plus, the following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.
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Nidoran♀
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Mankey
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Marill
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Paldean Wooper
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Spoink
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Frillish
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Vullaby
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Inkay
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Rookidee
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Fuecoco
These Pokémon caught or evolved during the event will know a featured attack
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Lapras caught during the event will know the Charged Attack Ice Beam.
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Evolve Mankey to get a Primeape that knows the Charged Attack Rage Fist.
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Evolve Primeape to get an Annihilape that knows the Charged Attack Rage Fist.
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Evolve Paldean Wooper to get a Clodsire that knows the Charged Attack Megahorn.
Take on Field Research tasks during the event to earn encounters with Pikachu wearing a varsity jacket, Marill, Paldean Wooper, and Honedge. Paid Timed Research is available for US$5.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency) and Trainers who complete this research can earn one Premium Battle Pass, 25,000 Stardust, and encounters with Pokémon including Lickitung, Lapras, Azumarill, Sableye, Swalot, Claydol, Carbink, Guzzlord, and Lokix.
If you’re feeling inspired by the Pokémon World Championships, GO Battle Weekend is the perfect opportunity to get some battles under your belt. From August 15, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. to August 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. local time, Great League, Ultra League, and Master League will all be active in GO Battle League. Enjoy the following battle-themed event bonuses.
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4× Stardust from win rewards (not including end-of-set rewards)
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The maximum number of battle sets per day will increase from 5 to 20 for a maximum of 100 battles per day
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Free battle-themed Timed Research will be available with rewards including avatar shoes inspired by a powerful Battle Tower battler
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Pokémon encountered via GO Battle League rewards will have a wider variance of Attack, Defense, and HP
And if you’re looking for more inspiration for your battles, tune in live to the Pokémon GO Twitch channel to watch the Pokémon GO World Championships starting at 9:00 a.m. PDT on August 15 and 16, 2025. On August 17, 2025, tune in to the Pokémon Twitch channel at 9:00 a.m. PDT for more Pokémon GO World Championship fun!
Play like a champ, Trainers!