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Niantic Announces Go Special Weekend for Partner Affiliations

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We've got what is likely to be the final event of the Season of Legends, and it has absolutely nothing to do with legends and everything to do with corporate sponsorships. Niantic is hosting a new event, and sadly it's not available for everyone. Depending on where you live, you'll need to be signed up with a sponsored company.

Pokemon Go Special Weekend

Feature Set 1: May 29, 2021
Event Start Event End
11:00 a.m. local time 5:00 p.m. local time
  • A special selection of Pokemon will be attracted to incense
  • Eevee is hinted to have slightly boosted shiny odds
  • Unown will be spawning, with its forme based on which sponsor the player is playing under
    • Verizon customers will encounter Unown V
    • 7-Eleven customers in Mexico will encounter Unown V
    • Yoshinoya customers will encounter Unown Y
Feature Set 2: May 29-30, 2021
Event Start Event End
May 29 at 12:00 a.m. local time May 30 at 11:59 p.m. local time
  • A timed research line will be available that rewards XP, Stardust, 1 Incense, 1 Star Piece, 1 Lucy Egg, Spritzee Candy, Swirlix Candy, and specific Pokemon encounters as rewards
  • Trading with friends will have increased odds of resulting in Lucky Pokemon
  • Interacting with friends will have increased odds of resulting in Lucky Pokemon
  • 2x Catch XP
  • A special medal will be awarded when turning in the redemption code
Universal Bonuses
Event Start Event End
May 29, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. PDT May 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. PDT

FInally, these are the bonuses available to all players regardless of if you're signed up for the rest of the event.

  • Players will be able to open 2x the normal number of gifts
  • Trade distance increased to 40km

Getting In On The Event

Here's how to get in on the festivities... if you can. Each reward is region-locked and locked behind a sponsor company, so the sponsor for you should be fairly obvious.

United States Players: Verizon

Mexico Players: 7-Eleven

Japan Players: Yoshinoya

As a U.S.-based player who uses Verizon Wireless as his carrier, let me just say that this event... makes me feel a bit dirty, truth be told. The entire concept of Pokemon Go has long been focused around inclusivity and global community. But this event? Purely for the sake of reference and context, I personally hold multiple business degrees, so I fully understand that Niantic is a business and that a business has the primary goal of making money. However, the sponsorships and exclusivity on top of the billions that this game has turned in profit doesn't exactly come across well, and I feel assured that I'm not the only one who feels this.

Regardless of anything, I wish those who intend to pay this event best of luck, and offer my condolences to those who have been cut out on this event. Fortunately this kind of event doesn't come around very often.

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Full Text

Trainers,

In May, we’ll be hosting a Pokémon GO Special Weekend event in collaboration with different partners around the world: Verizon in the US, 7-Eleven Mexico in Mexico, and Yoshinoya in Japan. Trainers with an event ticket will be able to enjoy Timed Research, featured Pokémon attracted to Incense, and more!

What is Pokémon GO Special Weekend?

Special Weekend is an in-game event that you can access using an event ticket acquired from a participating Pokémon GO partner, either physically or digitally. The ticket has a code that you can redeem on our Offer Redemption website. After you redeem the ticket code, you’ll be able to participate in the Special Weekend anywhere during the event period!

Date + Time

Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. local time

Ticketed features

The following features will be available for Trainers that redeem an event ticket obtained from our participating partners.

The following features will be available on Saturday, May 29, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.

  • Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Eevee, Marill, Sableye, Stunky, Spritzee, and Swirlix will be attracted to Incense. If you’re lucky, you might find a Shiny Eevee!
  • Different Unown will be attracted to Incense depending on the participating partner in your region. (Shiny Unown will not be appearing during the event.)
    • Verizon: Unown V
    • 7-Eleven Mexico: Unown S
    • Yoshinoya: Unown Y

The following features will be available on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 30, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. local time.

  • Event-exclusive Timed Research will reward encounters with Eevee, Spritzee, Swirlix, and Deino!
  • Event-exclusive Timed Research will be available and reward XP, Stardust, an Incense, a Star Piece, a Lucky Egg, Spritzee Candy, and Swirlix Candy.
  • You’ll have an increased chance of receiving Lucky Pokémon when you trade with a friend.
  • You’ll also have an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends when interacting with a friend during the weekend.
  • You’ll earn double the XP for catching Pokémon.
  • You’ll receive an exclusive medal when you redeem a ticket code on the Offer Redemption website.

Features available for all Trainers

The following bonuses will be available for all Trainers around the world—even those without an event ticket—from Friday, May 28, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, May 31, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. PDT (GMT −7).

  • The number of Gifts you can open daily will double.
  • Trade range will be increased to 40 km!

How can I get a Pokémon GO Special Weekend ticket?

For more details on the ticket-distribution period and conditions, please visit the websites of our participating partners.

What should I do after receiving a Pokémon GO Special Weekend ticket?

You’ll be able to redeem the promotional code included on the ticket on our Offer Redemption website. Visit this help center article for more information on how to redeem promotional codes. Once you’ve redeemed your code, open Pokémon GO to receive your event-participation medal.

Let’s enjoy a Special Weekend in Pokémon GO!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change. Be sure to follow us on social media, opt in to receiving push notifications, and subscribe to our emails to stay updated. For the latest on in-game events and feature updates, be sure to check this help center article.

—The Pokémon GO team

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About the Author(s)

Gamepress Pokemon Go site lead with a focus on theorycrafting and gameplay optimization and a background in business management and freelance writing.  A bit of a hermit, but also an outdoors enthusiast who loves cycling and hiking. Long-time Gamepress fan who is very proud to be a part of the team.

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