Ring in 2026 with Pokémon GO’s New Year’s event!

Updates

New Year’s 2026

Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time

Event Bonuses

2× XP from Raid Battles.
2× Stardust from Raid Battles.
Increased chance to encounter Shiny Pikachu wearing a party top hat in the wild and in raids.

Explore with Decor

During this event, festive fireworks will light up the skies. We hope you enjoy the colorful decor!

Wild Encounters

May encounter event-themed Pokémon in the wild, including Bulbasaur wearing a party hat*, Jigglypuff wearing a ribbon*, Hoothoot wearing a New Year’s outfit* and more! You might even encounter Pikachu wearing a party top hat*!

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one.

Raids

The following Pokémon will appear in raids.

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*
Wobbuffet wearing a party hat*

*If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one.

Field Research Task Encounters

Event-themed Field Research tasks will be available.

Complete Field Research tasks to earn Stardust.

Daily Field Research

During the event, Trainers will receive one bonus daily Field Research task each day they log in that awards either one Lucky Egg or one Incense.*

*To obtain bonus Field Research tasks, you must have three or fewer active Field Research tasks when you log in for the first time each day.

A Lucky Exchange!

The number of guaranteed Lucky Pokémon a Trainer can receive in a trade has been increased from 35 to 45! Beginning with this event, if you trade a Pokémon that has been in a Trainer’s Pokémon storage since 2020, it is guaranteed to become a Lucky Pokémon until the limit is reached! This change is permanent.

Paid Timed Research

For US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access event-exclusive Timed Research. Purchasing this ticket will also grant the following bonus during the New Year’s 2026 event.

One additional Raid Pass per day from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms (for a daily total of two).

Timed Research rewards include the following.

Two Premium Battle Passes
3,000 Stardust
Encounters with Pikachu wearing a party top hat

Trainers will be able to purchase and gift tickets to any of their Pokémon GO friends that they have achieved a Friendship level of Great Friends or higher with. Please note that purchases—including those made for other Trainers—are non-refundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins.

Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.

New Avatar Item

The following avatar item will be available to purchase in the in-game shop during this event and will continue to be available after the event ends!

Blacephalon Boots

Pokémon GO Web Store – New Year’s 2026 Ultra Ticket Box

The New Year’s 2026 Ultra Ticket Box will be available for US$1.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency) and includes an event ticket and one Lucky Egg!

Check it out in the Pokémon GO Web Store!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated.

—The Pokémon GO team