Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research—complete the challenge on a high note!

Trainers,

What a journey it’s been! Congratulations to all the diligent Trainers who have successfully completed the Kanto- and Johto-themed Timed Research and are on their way to completing the Hoenn-themed one. In just a couple days, the Throwback Challenge 2020: Sinnoh Timed Research will begin, bringing you one step closer to accessing the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research.

If you missed completing any of the four Timed Research lines—required to unlock the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research—you can still access the same tasks and rewards the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research provides by purchasing a ticket in the shop for the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research! If you already have access to the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research, you can purchase a ticket to receive a version of the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research with slightly different rewards. Read on for more details on what you can expect from these Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research lines!

Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research

Join Professor Willow as you rediscover Pokémon originally found in the Unova region and meet Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region as they make their Pokémon GO debut. Unlike the previous sets of Timed Research, this Special Research can be completed at any time.

Features

If you earn the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research or purchase a ticket for the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research, you’ll receive the following.

• Encounters with Galarian Meowth and Galarian Stunfisk! This will be their first appearance in Pokémon GO.
• Research tasks that lead to encounters with Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, such as Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Blitzle, Audino, Darumaka, Gothita, and Genesect.
• A chance to earn exciting rewards, including Professor Willow’s glasses as an exclusive avatar item!

If you already have access to the Throwback Challenge Champion 2020 Special Research and purchase a ticket for the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research in the shop, you’ll also receive a version of the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research with the following changes: each time you would’ve earned a reward encounter with a Pokémon, you instead will earn 10 Candies for that specific Pokémon, and you’ll earn Stardust instead of Professor Willow’s glasses.

Ticket details

• To purchase the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research, you must open Pokémon GO during the event from Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in your local time zone. After you’ve received the Special Research, you can complete it at any time.
• The ticket is US$7.99 plus taxes or fees (or the equivalent in your local currency) and can be purchased in the shop. The ticket cannot be purchased with PokéCoins.
• Tickets can be purchased from when they go live until Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in your local time zone. Stay tuned for when tickets are available to purchase!
• The ticket for this Special Research is nonrefundable. (Subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service.)

How to purchase and access the Special Research

Here’s how you can purchase a ticket for the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research when it becomes available in the in-app shop. Stay tuned for when it’s available.

1. Open the Pokémon GO app.
2. Tap the Poké Ball icon, and then tap Shop.
3. Tap the Learn More button in the shop.
4. Tap the Buy button.
5. You’ll then receive a pop-up indicating that you’ve received a ticket for the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research.
6. After you tap OK, you can find the ticket in your Item Bag.
7. When you open the app during the event from Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, you’ll receive access to the Throwback Challenge Celebration 2020 Special Research.
8. Once you receive the Special Research, you’ll be able to finish it later if you don’t complete it by the end of the event. However, for an optimal gameplay experience, we recommend trying your best to complete the research during the event.

From Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers can look forward to the following features, even if they don’t have access to any version of the Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research.

• Galarian Stunfisk will be making its Pokémon GO debut! Find it in the wild, in raids, and as a Throwback Challenge 2020 Special Research reward encounter.
• The following Pokémon will also be making their Pokémon GO debut and hatching from 7 km Eggs along with their usual forms: Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Darumaka, and Galarian Stunfisk. Try evolving Galarian Meowth, Galarian Zigzagoon, and Galarian Darumaka!
• Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region will be appearing more frequently in the wild.

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidance 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. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.

—The Pokémon GO team