Pokémon GO turns 10: Professor Willow and Ozone

Professor Willow Celebrates 10 Years of Guiding Trainers

Our dear Professor Willow, the iconic and caring guide of our Pokémon GO adventures, is in the spotlight for this anniversary. It seems the professor has things to celebrate himself, and he invites us to share his joy. The precise details of this celebration in Professor Willow’s honor haven’t been fully revealed yet, but we can expect special bonuses, themed items and maybe even brand-new encounters paying tribute to his crucial role in our Trainer journey. It’s the perfect occasion to look back on all these years spent at his side, discovering Pokémon and filling our Pokédex.

The festivities dedicated to Professor Willow promise to be a moment of gathering for the community, a chance to remember our first catches, our most memorable battles and the friendships forged out in the field. Stay tuned for more information on the dates and specifics of this event, which already looks like a must for every Pokémon GO fan. The official Pokémon GO website, pokemongo.com, will soon give us all the details. To celebrate this anniversary, a new costumed Pokémon, Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu, will appear in Field Research, Timed Research and Raids, and will even be a surprise during photo-taking wish the Professor a very happy birthday with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu!. A free Timed Research will be available, offering encounters with this special Pikachu, a Lucky Egg, a Star Piece, and much more wish the Professor a very happy birthday with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu!. This limited-time research will run until Monday, July 27, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time wish the Professor a very happy birthday with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu!. In addition, an event-themed Field Research will offer rewards such as PokéCoins, Lucky Eggs and extra encounters with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu wish the Professor a very happy birthday with Professor Willow’s Assistant Pikachu!.

Ozone Ascent: A Celestial Mystery to Uncover

But the anniversary doesn’t stop there! Another, more enigmatic event looms on the horizon: ‘Ozone Ascent’. The name evokes cosmic phenomena, discoveries from elsewhere and unprecedented challenges. The information available on pokemongo.com suggests this event will take us to new heights, both literally and figuratively. We may have to face rare creatures or extraordinary weather phenomena that will affect our games.

The idea of an event centered on celestial phenomena is especially exciting. It could open the door to Flying- and Psychic-type Pokémon, or even legendaries linked to the sky and space. The ‘ascent’ aspect could imply new game mechanics or objectives that push us to explore higher areas or reach new milestones in our progression. This mystery adds an extra layer of anticipation to these anniversary celebrations. The ‘Ozone Ascent’ event will run from Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m., to Sunday, July 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time complete this Timed Research to get an encounter with Rayquaza and much more!. A free Timed Research will let Trainers obtain a Meteorite, an encounter with Rayquaza and other surprises complete this Timed Research to get an encounter with Rayquaza and much more!. Note that Rayquaza needs the Meteorite to learn the Charged Attack Dragon Ascent, a special condition for its Mega Evolution complete this Timed Research to get an encounter with Rayquaza and much more!. A paid Timed Research will also be available for $4.99 USD, additionally offering Rayquaza Mega Energy complete this Timed Research to get an encounter with Rayquaza and much more!.

Special login bonuses to celebrate the 10 years.
New Field Research quests with exclusive rewards.
Appearances of rare and/or Shiny Pokémon.
Brand-new avatar items in anniversary colors.

Ten years of Pokémon GO also means ten years of a worldwide community united by a shared passion. We all have our own stories, our own memories: that first encounter with a Charizard, that epic raid with friends, that impromptu walk to catch a specific Pokémon. These anniversary events are the ideal opportunity to rekindle those memories and create new ones. Whether you’re a veteran or a new player, these celebrations are for you.

It’s incredible to think that Pokémon GO has existed for 10 years. It has changed the way we interact with the world and with each other. These events are a lovely way to celebrate that longevity and the impact it has had on so many lives. The ‘Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration’ event will run from Monday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m., to Monday, July 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time the party continues with the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration event!. This event will feature three distinct celebrations, each with different costumed Pikachu, increasing their wild spawn rate and making them easier to catch the party continues with the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration event!. Additional bonuses will be available through the event’s GO Pass, including double Transfer Candy and a higher chance of getting XL Candy for Trainers at level 31 and above the party continues with the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration event!. Raids will feature various stylish, costumed Pikachu, with a chance to encounter Shiny versions the party continues with the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration event!.

See you in the world of Pokémon GO to celebrate this historic anniversary the way it deserves. Let’s get ready to welcome Professor Willow’s surprises and look up at the sky to unlock the secrets of Ozone Ascent. May the adventure continue!