Key highlights:
- Event runs from 16th to 20th August 2024.
- New costumed Pikachu and shiny Mienfoo debut.
- Special bonuses for GO Battle League.
Quick Links:
Pokémon trainers worldwide are in for a treat as Niantic announces a special in-game event to celebrate the 2024 Pokémon World Championships.
The championships, set to take place in Honolulu, Hawaii, from the 16th to 18th of August 2024, will see top players compete across various of the franchises games, including Pokémon GO.
Event Details
The Pokémon GO World Championships event will run from Friday, 16th August, at 10:00 a.m. until Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 8:00 p.m. local time. This free event brings a host of exciting features and bonuses for all players to enjoy.
New Pokémon Debuts
- World Championships 2024 Pikachu: A new costumed Pikachu wearing a diving uniform and snorkel will make its first appearance. Lucky trainers might even encounter a shiny version!
- Shiny Mienfoo: The fighting-type Pokémon Mienfoo will be more readily available during the event, with its shiny form debuting for the first time in Pokémon GO.
Event Bonuses
- Up to five Special Trades can be made each day
- Charged TMs can be used to help Shadow Pokémon forget the Charged Attack Frustration
- Some creatures can learn special moves when caught or evolved during the event
Wild Encounters
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild:
- Mankey
- Lickitung
- Marill
- Paldean Wooper
- Swablu
- Fletchling
- Carbink
- Grubbin
- Mareanie
- Skarmory (rare spawn)
Field Research Tasks
Completing Field Research tasks during the event will reward encounters with:
- World Championships 2024 Pikachu
- Swablu
- Mienfoo
- Mareanie
Raid Battles
One-Star Raids
- World Championships 2024 Pikachu
- Mienfoo
Three-Star Raids
- Lickitung
- Galarian Stunfisk
- Diggersby
Shadow Raids
One-Star Shadow Raids:
- Shadow Magnemite
- Shadow Dratini
- Shadow Wooper
- Shadow Gligar
Three-Star Shadow Raids:
- Shadow Wobbuffet
- Shadow Kirlia
- Shadow Sableye
Certain Pokémon caught or evolved during the event will know special moves:
Featured Attacks
| Pokémon | Move | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Lickitung | Body Slam | Charged |
| Mienfoo | High Jump Kick | Charged |
| Quagsire | Aqua Tail | Charged |
| Altaria | Moonblast | Charged |
| Charjabug | Volt Switch | Charged |
| Talonflame | Incinerate | Fast |
GO Battle Week: Shared Skies
Running alongside the World Championships event is the GO Battle Week: Shared Skies, focusing on the GO Battle League.
This event starts on Friday, 16th August, at 12:00 a.m. and ends on Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
GO Battle Week Bonuses
- 4× Stardust from win rewards (excluding end-of-set rewards)
- Increased daily battle sets from 5 to 20 (total of 100 battles per day)
- Free battle-themed Timed Research with rewards including a wig avatar item inspired by Lana
- Pokémon encountered via GO Battle League rewards will have a wider variance of Attack, Defence, and HP stats
Active Leagues
During the event, the following leagues will be available:
- Great League
- Ultra League
- Master League
- Catch Cup: Great League Edition
Paid Timed Research
For those looking for extra challenges, a paid Timed Research will be available for $5.00 (or local equivalent). This research includes:
- One Premium Battle Pass
- 25,000 Stardust
- Encounters with event-themed Pokémon such as Azumarill, Vigoroth, and Cresselia
Remember, this Timed Research must be completed and rewards claimed by Tuesday, 20th August 2024, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
PokéStop Showcases
Keep an eye out for special Showcases at various PokéStops where you can enter event-themed Pokémon!
The World Championships
The 2024 Pokémon World Championships will bring together the top qualifying players from around the globe to compete for the title of 2024 Pokémon GO World Champion.
The champion will receive, among other prizes, an exclusive in-game World Champion 2024 outfit and pose.
This exciting event comes at an interesting time for fans. Recent leaks suggest that Dynamax raids, a feature from the Generation 8 Pokémon games, might be coming to Pokémon GO soon.
While Niantic has previously hinted at this feature, they have yet to confirm any details about how it will work in the mobile title or when it will be available.
Tips for Trainers
- Plan your battles: With increased GO Battle League sets, plan your time to make the most of the 4× Stardust bonus.
- Hunt for shinies: Keep an eye out for the new shiny Mienfoo and the costumed Pikachu.
- Evolve strategically: Don’t forget to evolve certain Pokémon during the event to get special moves.
- Manage your Shadow Pokémon: Use this opportunity to TM away Frustration from your Shadow Pokémon.
- Participate in Showcases: Show off your best event-themed catches at PokéStop Showcases.
- Consider the paid research: If you’re after rare Pokémon like Cresselia, the paid Timed Research might be worth it.
The 2024 Pokémon GO World Championships event promises to be an exciting time for trainers worldwide. Whether you’re a competitive battler or a casual player, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.