Schedule
- The Great League will run from Monday, March 1, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8) to Monday, March 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- The Ultra League and its Premier Cup will run from Monday, March 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, March 29, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- The Master League, Master League Classic, and the Great League will run from Monday, March 29, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, April 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). Only Pokémon that haven’t been powered up with Candy XL are allowed in Master League Classic.
- All three leagues will run from Monday, April 5, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, April 12, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- The Great League and a new cup called Great League Remix will run from Monday, April 12, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, April 26, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). See the Cups section below for more details.
- The Ultra League and its Premier Cup will run from Monday, April 26, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, May 10, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- The Master League, Master League Classic, and the Retro Cup will run from Monday, May 10, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, May 17, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). Only Pokémon that haven’t been powered up with Candy XL are allowed in Master League Classic. See the Cups section below for more details.
- All three leagues will run from Monday, May 17, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, May 24, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- Ranked play will end on Monday, May 24, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7).
- An unranked Kanto Cup will run from Monday, May 24, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, May 31, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. PDT (GMT −7). See the Cups section below for more details.
Very notably, Master League Premier Cup is not running at all in Season 7. Instead, in the first Master League Rotation will be paired with Open Great League, and the second rotation will go with Retro Cup, a new format (more on that in a bit!) Much like Season 6, S7 will end in a week of unranked Kanto Cup.
Rewards
- Like in previous seasons, if you reach Rank 10 you get the Pikachu Libre avatar items.
- Legend Rank trainers (3,000 MMR) will earn avatar items and a pose inspired by Elesa, from Pokémon Black and White (Generation 5). We don't know exactly what this outfit/pose will look like yet, but they will likely resemble one of these:
Elesa's outfits in Black/White and Black 2/White 2
- Upon reaching Rank 19, you immediately earn an Elite Charged TM. At the end of the season, Rank 19+ players will also receive an Elite Fast TM.
- Rank 1: Guaranteed Zebstrika encounter
- Rank 1 and up: You can encounter Poliwhirl, Flaaffy, Pupitar, Galvantula, and others
- Rank 10 and up: You can encounter Medicham, Frillish, Stunfisk, and others.
- Rank 15 and up: You can encounter Scraggy, Lampent, and Rufflet
- Rank 20 and up: The current raid Legendary Pokémon will be available
- Ace and up: You can encounter Deino
- Legend: Guaranteed one-of Pikachu Libre encounter.
Additionally, when obtained as a GBL reward, you earn more XL Candy for Poliwhirl, Flaaffy, Pupitar, Medicham, Scraggy, Galvantula, Lampent, and Stunfisk. Given that Medicham, Scrafty, Galvantula, and Galarian Stunfisk are incredibly relevant XL Pokémon, this is nice to see (though we don't know exactly what the boosted rates will look like).
Cups
- Great League Remix: A new format that's just Great League, except the 10 most used Pokémon in Great League will be banned. This list will be released after the end of Great League on March 15th. This will probably mean a format with no Azumarill, Galarian Stunfisk, Skarmory, Altaria, etc, and will likely be incredibly interesting!
- Retro Cup: Another Great League format, where Dark, Steel, and Fairy-types are banned. PvPoke has preliminary rankings available here.
- Kanto Cup: A returning format. Great League, but only Pokémon with dex numbers from #001 to #151. This means Alolan and Galarian forms are allowed.
Other Information
Once again, there will be no walking requirement for GO Battle League! Additionally, attack updates will be coming, to be announced later.
Rank format will remain the same as it was in Season 6. At 2,000 MMR, you reach Ace. 2,500 MMR is Veteran. 2,750 MMR is Expert. 3,000 MMR is Legend.
You can read Niantic's original blog post here.
