November 30, 2023

Celebrate Mateo, a new face joining Pokémon GO, with the Along the Routes event!

Celebrate Mateo, a new friend joining Pokémon GO, with the Along the Routes event!

Trainers,

The start of a new Season brings with it some exciting updates! We’re thrilled to announce a fresh face joining Pokémon GO—Mateo! Beginning on December 4, 2023 (Pacific Standard Time), Trainers can meet Mateo at the end of Routes that they explore and participate in his Gift Exchange with Trainers from all around the world.

To celebrate, get ready for the new Along the Routes event! Enjoy event bonuses focused on exploration, gifting, and featured Pokémon encounters. Plus, for the first time, Trainers around the world will be able to encounter Shiny Hisuian Sneasel—if they’re lucky! Read on to learn more about the updates coming to Routes!

To learn more about Mateo and how to explore the world of Pokémon GO with Routes, head over to our Routes page!

Along the Routes

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. to Friday, December 8, 2023, at 8:00 p.m. local time

Mateo and other Route updates

Meet Mateo and participate in his Gift Exchange with Trainers from all around the world!


Mateo, a researcher who loves to travel, is on his way to Pokémon GO! He enjoys collecting and exchanging Postcards and Gifts from all over the world. He’s excited to meet you at the end of your journey on a Route.

  1. As you near the end point of a Route, Mateo may be waiting for you with some Gifts he has collected!
  2. Talk to Mateo to begin a Gift Exchange.
  3. Choose which of Mateo’s Gifts to exchange from the Route end point, the Route start point, or a nearby PokéStop.
  4. Add a sticker if you like and select Exchange.
  5. Get ready to receive your new memento from another Trainer! Don’t forget to add new Postcards to your Postcard Book to expand your Postcard collection and catch different forms of Vivillion.

You can participate in a Gift Exchange with Mateo once a day.

Routes and Party Play

Get the party started in Pokémon GO! Trainers forming a party can now complete Routes together. What Routes are you most excited to explore with your friends?

Learn more about Party Play, Pokémon GO’s new feature that transforms the way you play Pokémon GO with your friends, check here.

A million Routes created worldwide!

Since the launch of Routes in July 2023, Trainers from all over have helped to create amazing Routes for their communities to enjoy. One million Routes have been created globally, and we’re excited for how much more there is to come.

Want to learn more about Routes? Check out our Routes page here.

Special Research

A new Special Research story is available to Trainers! Learn more about Mateo and the power of exchanging Gifts through the Special Research story, A Route to New Friendships.

Wild encounters

The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild.

Slugma*
Hitmontop*
Spoink*
Feebas*
Lillipup*
Woobat*
Emolga
Wooloo
Pawmi
* If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Eggs

The following Pokémon will hatch from 7 km Eggs, in addition to the Pokémon that currently hatch from those Eggs.

Also, for the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to hatch Shiny Hisuian Sneasel—if you’re lucky!

Hisuian Growlithe*
Togepi*
Sneasel*
Hisuian Sneasel*
Bonsly*
Espurr*
* If you’re lucky, you may hatch a Shiny one!

Event bonuses

1/2 Egg Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed in an Incubator during the event period.
3× XP for spinning PokéStops.
5× XP for spinning a PokéStop for the first time.
2× Stardust from opening Gifts.

Field Research task encounters

Event-themed Field Research tasks will be available!

The following Pokémon will be available to encounter when you complete Field Research tasks.

Also, for the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Hisuian Sneasel—if you’re lucky!

Eevee*
Hisuian Sneasel*
Wooloo
* If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

Timed Research

Timed Research focused on exploring your area and sending Gifts will be available throughout the event!

Complete the research tasks to earn items and encounters with the following event-themed Pokémon.

Hisuian Sneasel*
Feebas*
Wooloo
Pawmi
* If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!

PokéStop Showcases

During the Along the Routes event, be on the lookout for Showcases at select PokéStops where you can enter Sneasel and Hisuian Sneasel!

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.

—The Pokémon GO team