Pokémon GO is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a summer of real-world adventure, bringing players together through major fan experiences, creator-led challenges and new opportunities to explore some of the world’s most exciting locations.
Originally launched in July 2016, Pokémon GO has redefined video games by bringing the magic of encountering Pokémon into the real world. A decade later, it remains one of the world’s most successful and enduring mobile games, generating more than $1 billion in revenue in 2025 alone.
Over the last 10 years, Pokémon GO has inspired more than 800 million people to explore the world together, sustained its status as a top 10 mobile game every year since launch with more than 1 trillion Pokémon caught to date, and reached players in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide. Trainers have collectively explored more than 100 billion kilometres while playing Pokémon GO – equivalent to 334 round trips between the Earth and the Sun.
To mark the 10-year milestone, the celebrations began in New York on 9 July, when Pokémon GO took over Times Square for a special anniversary event.
Pokémon GO transformed one of the world’s most iconic locations into an immersive real-world game board to bring to life the vision first showcased in Pokémon GO’s 2015 launch trailer. More than 1,000 players simultaneously battled in one of the largest in-person Raids in Pokémon GO history, taking on the legendary Mega Mewtwo Y. In addition to gameplay, attendees were treated to a surprise performance by the Los Angeles-based global dance music duo, Loud Luxury, setting the stage for the massive cooperative gaming feat. Since launch, Trainers have completed more than 10 billion Raid Battles worldwide.
“As Pokémon GO celebrates its 10th anniversary, what continues to inspire us is how the community has grown with the game,” said Ed Wu, President, Games at Scopely. “What started as an invitation to explore the world around you has become something that brings players together across cities, countries, and cultures, from neighborhood meetups to celebrations that draw hundreds of thousands of people together. As we look ahead, our commitment remains unchanged: to keep evolving the game in ways that turn everyday places into opportunities for discovery and connection. We’re grateful to every player who has brought Pokémon GO to life in their community, and we’re excited to keep building its future together.”
“When we first dreamt what Pokémon GO might become a decade ago, hosting more than a thousand people in a single, local Raid Battle was just a pipe dream,” said Michael Steranka, Vice President of Product for Pokémon GO at Scopely. “We never stopped asking ourselves, ‘What if?’ and ‘How could we do it?’ Seeing that vision become a reality in Times Square was the perfect way to celebrate 10 years of playing together with our community.”
Pokémon GO Summer Quest brings London players together with YouTube stars
Fans in London will also have the opportunity to take part in Pokémon GO Summer Quest, a creator-led celebration inspired by the spirit of adventure at the heart of the game. Two of the UK’s biggest creators, Beta Squad co-founder Chunkz and Sidemen star Miniminter, will go head-to-head in a live city-wide race, catching Pokémon, completing challenges and unlocking new ways to travel as they battle to reach the finish line first. The challenges will culminate at interactive Pokémon GO Summer Quest events in Shoreditch across the weekends of 1–2 August and 8–9 August, where fans can watch the action unfold live, enjoy opportunities to meet participating creators and take part in exclusive Pokémon GO experiences of their own.
By opening the app within the event area, players can unlock a free Timed Research, offering in-game rewards as well as a free coffee from a Pokémon GO pop-up once the first stage is completed. Trainers who complete the full Timed Research will also have the chance to win a trip for two to Japan. For those unable to attend in person, nationwide Summer Quest experiences will also run across the UK from 1-9 August, giving Trainers the opportunity to unlock rewards and enter a separate prize draw to win a trip for two to Pokémon GO Fest 2027 in Europe.
National Trust partnership encourages players to get outdoors and visit somewhere new for exclusive rewards and experiences
Meanwhile, players in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland can continue the anniversary celebrations throughout the summer through Pokémon GO’s partnership with the National Trust. Pokémon GO players can discover PokéStops, Gyms and Routes at over 140 National Trust locations, with dedicated themed in-game events at 27 destinations, from historic gardens and grand estates to spectacular coastlines and castles, including the world-famous gardens at Stourhead and the World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. Trainers visiting participating locations will also be able to encounter special Location Backgrounds inspired by the destinations they visit.
Building on the spirit of exploration that has defined Pokémon GO over the last decade, the partnership gives players new opportunities to get outdoors, visit somewhere new and create memories with friends and family while experiencing some of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland’s most-loved heritage and outdoor destinations.
Annie Reilly, Audience & Engagement Director at the National Trust said – “A key ambition for the National Trust is to inspire people to get outdoors, explore new places and create shared experiences with family and friends. By partnering with Pokémon GO, one of the world’s most popular games, we can encourage people who may not previously have considered visiting a National Trust place to give us a try. This partnership will help us connect with new audiences and introduce more people to the nature, beauty and history across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”
