Pokémon GO Fest Begins! [REWARDS UPD]

Today marks Pokémon GO’s first ever real life event!

REWARDS UPDATE: Despite difficulties at GO Fest, players around the world have completed all the Window Challenges and unlocked legendaries! Lugia will be given out to all GO Fest ticket holders, and Lugia raid battles will start to roll out worldwide over the next two days. Since Team Mystic contributed the most during the challenges, Articuno Raid Battles will start to roll out in the same time frame as well. In addition to the legendary birds, the following GO Fest bonuses will be active around the globe for the next 48 hours:

  • Double Stardust
  • Double Candy
  • Double XP
  • Increased Pokémon encounters
  • Reduced hatching distance
  • Reduced buddy distance

Located in Grant Park on the coast of Chicago, Illinois, Pokémon GO Fest promises plenty of Pokémon fun for ticket holders:

  • Catch a wide variety of Pokémon, including some that have never been seen before in Grant Park (regional exclusives, as well as Unown are strongly hinted at)
  • Unlock the exclusive Pokémon GO Fest Chicago medal for your profile page
  • Take advantage of the Pokémon GO Fest walking course, lined with PokéStops that award special 2 km Eggs which can only be obtained in Grant Park
  • Cool off and recharge in one of the three team lounges, where you’ll meet your fellow Instinct, Mystic, or Valor teammates
  • Commemorate the experience by snapping photos with your favorite Pokémon at the many photo opportunities around the park
  • And much more!

Can’t attend? No worries – you can still take part in the fun! The millions of PoGO players across the globe can work together with the thousands of trainers in the park to complete challenges throughout the day and unlock amazing in-game rewards globally! Earlier this week Niantic revealed that the first ever Legendary Pokémon will be one of these rewards – but it will only appear in Grant Park if trainers around the world successfully meet the capture goals set throughout the weekend. If trainers in Chicago manage to defeat the legendary, it will start appearing in Raid Battles everywhere.

A special Twitch and YouTube livestream (see above) for players that are unable to attend is available to view for the latest news coming out of Pokémon GO Fest! Including Challenge Window updates, exclusive interviews, and the reveal of the first Legendary Pokémon!

Will you be taking part in the global awards and challenges, or are you one of the lucky few who will be attending the festivities in Chicago?