Ready to blast into 2026 with a Pokémon GO celebration that's sure to be explosive? Get ready, because the New Year's 2026 event is gearing up to make your resolutions a reality, whether you're aiming to be a top Trainer, hone your battle skills, or simply enjoy some dazzling virtual fireworks! From December 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to January 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time, the game will be bursting with festive cheer.
Prepare to spot some seriously stylish Pokémon! Expect to see costumed favorites like Bulbasaur sporting a party hat, Pikachu rocking a party top hat, Jigglypuff with a charming ribbon, and Hoothoot in a fresh New Year's outfit. These special appearances add a fun, celebratory twist to your gameplay.
But here's where it gets interesting: the event also boosts your chances of snagging Lucky Pokémon! The limit for the number of Lucky Pokémon you can get through trades will jump from 35 to 45. This is fantastic news for dedicated traders looking to power up their teams. And, if you trade a Pokémon that's been hanging out in your storage since 2020, it's guaranteed to become a Lucky Pokémon until the limit is reached. This is a great opportunity to dust off those older Pokémon!
Here's a quick rundown of the event bonuses to kickstart your year:
- 2× XP from Raid Battles
- 2× Stardust from Raid Battles
- Increased chance of encountering Shiny Pikachu wearing a party top hat in the wild and in raids
Get ready to battle and catch some festive Pokémon in raids! You can look forward to:
- One-Star Raids: Pikachu wearing a party top hat, Wurmple wearing a party hat
- Three-Star Raids: Raticate wearing a party hat, Nidorino wearing a party hat, Gengar wearing a party hat, and Wobbuffet wearing a party hat
New Year, New Research
Dive into the new year with both Field Research and paid Timed Research. You'll earn Stardust for completing event-themed Field Research tasks. For a price of US$1.99 (or the equivalent in your local currency), you can access the paid Timed Research. Make sure to complete these tasks and claim your rewards before January 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The paid research offers some awesome rewards, including two Premium Battle Passes, 3,000 Stardust, and encounters with Pikachu wearing a party top hat.
This event has a lot to offer, but here's a question for you: Do you think the increased Lucky Pokémon trade limit is a fair advantage for veteran players? Let me know in the comments! Happy New Year, Trainers!
