Celebrate the New Year with Exclusive Pokémon Encounters and Bonuses in Pokémon Go!
Premium Research: Unlocking Exclusive Rewards and Raid Opportunities
For those seeking an enriched event experience, a premium research ticket is available for purchase at $1.99, valid throughout the event's duration. This ticket not only offers additional rewards but also grants an extra free raid pass daily, significantly boosting your chances to participate in more raids. This premium option is particularly valuable if your goal is to acquire numerous costumed Pikachu encounters or engage in a high volume of raid battles. The research progression involves a series of capture and throw challenges, each rewarding players with themed Pikachu encounters. Completing all steps culminates in a grand prize of an additional costumed Pikachu, two Premium Battle Passes, and 3,000 Stardust, making it a worthwhile investment for dedicated trainers.
Collection Challenges: Gathering Unique Event Pokémon
The 'New Year's 2026' event introduces a special Collection Challenge, tasking trainers with capturing a specific set of festive Pokémon. To successfully complete this challenge, you must secure a Pikachu adorned with a party top hat, a Bulbasaur wearing a party hat, a Charmander with its own party hat, and a Squirtle also sporting a party hat. Successfully gathering all these themed creatures will yield impressive rewards: 2,026 Stardust, 2,026 XP, and 26 Ultra Balls, providing a significant boost to your in-game resources and progress.
Field Research: Daily Tasks and Valuable Item Rewards
Engaging with PokéStops during the event period offers opportunities to undertake exclusive Field Research tasks. These tasks include catching 26 Pokémon or winning a raid, each rewarding trainers with 2,026 Stardust. Furthermore, daily login bonuses provide additional Field Research quests that grant premium items such, as Lucky Eggs or Incense. These daily tasks encompass catching 15 Pokémon, spinning 5 PokéStops or Gyms, sending 5 gifts to friends, transferring 15 Pokémon, or powering up Pokémon 10 times, ensuring a steady supply of beneficial items for active players.
Boosted Spawns: Encountering Festive Pokémon More Frequently
During the 'New Year's 2026' celebration, certain Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild, as confirmed by Niantic's official announcements. Trainers can anticipate an increased presence of Bulbasaur (party hat), Pikachu (party top hat), Jigglypuff (ribbon), and Hoothoot (New Year's outfit). Additionally, observant players have reported encountering Charmander (party hat), Squirtle (party hat), and Wurmple (party hat) with greater frequency. Notably, the party top hat Pikachu has an elevated chance of appearing in its shiny form, offering a thrilling hunt for collectors.
Raid Targets: Challenging Powerful Pokémon for Exclusive Rewards
The event also brings exciting alterations to the raid schedule, introducing new and powerful Pokémon to challenge. One-star raids will feature Pikachu (party top hat) and Wurmple (party hat). Three-star raids will include Raticate (party hat), Nidorino (party hat), Gengar (party hat), and Wobbuffet (party hat). The most anticipated addition is Blacephalon, appearing in five-star raids, capable of using its signature move "Mind Blown" when captured. Both party top hat Pikachu and party hat Wurmple also have an increased likelihood of being shiny when encountered in raids, providing an extra incentive for trainers to participate actively.