Pokémon GO just rolled out a Lunar New Year premium challenge, a dedicated Solgaleo raid hour, fresh Kanto GO Tour content, and several utility tools for serious trainers. The new event gives you exclusive cosmetics, extra stardust, and double‑candy bonuses, while the Solgaleo raids let you coordinate with friends for high‑reward battles. All of this happens without changing the core catch‑and‑explore loop you love.
New Lunar New Year Premium Challenge
The Lunar New Year premium challenge opens today and runs for a limited window. By purchasing a special ticket you unlock a series of tasks—catch specific Pokémon, finish field research, and win battles. Each completed task rewards exclusive cosmetics and a sizable stash of stardust, giving you a clear goal and a nice boost to your inventory.
Solgaleo Raid Hour
For the next few days, Solgaleo dominates the raid rotation. A dedicated gym hosts simultaneous Solgaleo and Lunala battles, and the location map is publicly available so you can meet up with nearby trainers and stack your best counters.
How to Prepare for Solgaleo
- Check IV rankings: Use the in‑game IV checker to select high‑IV Pokémon.
- Simulate battles: Run a quick PvP simulation to test your team’s effectiveness.
- Gather counters: Bring Pokémon with strong Psychic or Dark‑type moves to maximize damage.
- Coordinate timing: Join the raid during the advertised hour to avoid long queues.
Additional Weekly Events
Beyond the headline raids, Niantic has sprinkled several smaller events throughout the week to keep the adventure fresh.
Spotlight Hour: Poliwag Double Candy
During Spotlight Hour, Poliwag appears with a “transfer‑for‑double‑candy” bonus. Transfer the Pokémon and you’ll earn twice the usual candy, helping you evolve faster without grinding.
Go Battle League Updates
The Go Battle League has swapped its previous season lineup for a brand‑new roster, introducing fresh metas and giving competitive players new strategies to explore.
Core Gameplay Loop Remains Strong
You still spin Photo Discs at PokéStops and Gyms, fend off the Rocket Team to rescue Shadow Pokémon, and team up with local trainers for community raids. The game continues to blend real‑world exploration with classic catching, trading, and battling—all available as a free download.
Why These Updates Matter
Niantic’s latest rollout shows a clear commitment to keeping Pokémon GO vibrant after more than a decade. By layering culturally resonant events like the Lunar New Year on top of high‑profile raids, the company taps both nostalgia and novelty. The premium challenge also signals a willingness to experiment with limited‑time paid content, a model that can reward dedicated players while sparking debate among purists.
Tips for Trainers
- Grab the Lunar New Year ticket early—you’ll want the exclusive cosmetics before they disappear.
- Use the new IV checker and battle simulator to fine‑tune your raid team.
- Take advantage of the double‑candy Poliwag transfer to power up evolutions quickly.
- Coordinate with friends during the Solgaleo raid hour to maximize damage and rewards.
- Keep an eye on the weekly reward reset at 9 a.m. to stay on top of new challenges.
What’s Next for Pokémon GO
Expect more raid rotations, additional GO Tour regions, and possibly new premium challenges as Niantic continues to test the waters. Stay active, spin a few Photo Discs, and grab that Solgaleo ticket—you never know what the next surprise will be just around the corner.
