The official Pokémon website and Niantic have announced that previously Mega Evolved Pokémon now require less Mega Energy for subsequent Mega Evolutions in Pokémon GO and that the amount of Mega Energy that Trainers receive for successfully completing a Mega Raid has been increased.

Mega Changes to Mega Evolution in Pokémon GO

Learn about changes to Mega Energy requirements in Pokémon GO, and what Mega Evolution changes will soon take effect.

Since Pokémon GO launched the Mega Evolution feature in late August, Trainers have had the opportunity to collect Mega Energy by battling in Mega Raids. The ultimate goal, of course, is to give yourself an edge in Raids by Mega Evolving select Pokémon. However, certain aspects of Mega Evolution required some fine-tuning, so we've implemented a few changes to the process.

To begin with, Pokémon that have previously Mega Evolved now require less Mega Energy for subsequent Mega Evolutions. We've also increased the amount of Mega Energy that Trainers receive for successfully completing a Mega Raid. These changes should make it easier to continue Mega Evolving your Pokémon.

We'll be implementing additional changes soon, including new ways to earn Mega Energy outside of Raids. Soon, you'll be able to earn Mega Energy by walking with your buddy and by performing research tasks. Trainers will also receive bonus Candy when catching a Pokémon that is the same type as your Mega-Evolved Pokémon. In the meantime, keep earning that Mega Energy, keep Mega Evolving, and keep on being the best Pokémon Trainer you can be.

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/mega-changes-to-mega-evolution-in-pokemon-go/

Niantic has announced that they have increased the trade range in Pokémon GO for a test that will take place from Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. until Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. PST (GMT −8).

Limited-time test: Trade range increased until Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. PST (GMT −8)

Trainers, As a limited-time test, from Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 2:30 p.m. until Monday, November 16, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. PST (GMT −8), trade range will be increased! Depending on information gathered from this test, we may include increased trade range as a part of future events.

It’s time to trade, Trainers!

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/test-increasedtrading/?hl=en

Niantic has announced a new City Spotlight event will take place on Sunday, November 22nd, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time at Tainan Taiwan, Kyoto Japan, Auckland New Zealand and Busan South Korea.

City Spotlight: Rediscover your city with your Buddy Pokémon!

Trainers, Experience your city in a whole new way! City Spotlight is a new initiative we’ll be launching in select cities that guides Trainers on an adventure through their hometown or a place nearby, highlighting special locations for Trainers to explore while making memories with their Buddy Pokémon—kind of like a treasure hunt! You’ll have the opportunity to discover exciting surprises by exploring the outdoors—all while remaining socially distanced—through individual research tasks, walking-based gameplay, and social-distancing bonuses. We have worked with each city to promote this initiative, and designed the gameplay to be in compliance with local health and safety guidelines.

On Sunday, November 22, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, Trainers in the following cities will be able to take part in this City Spotlight initiative.

• Tainan, Taiwan
• Kyoto, Japan
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Busan, South Korea

The City Spotlight initiative will feature both free and ticketed content. The details of what's included in each experience are as follows.

What’s included in the free citywide experience

• The City Spotlight Timed Research will take you and your Buddy Pokémon all around your city.
• Take snapshots to earn Pokémon encounters, a Poffin, Stardust, and a Lucky Egg.
• Spin PokéStops for a chance to receive a special Gift sticker.
• Take part in a PokéStop scanning competition against other participating cities! Check how your city is faring in the standings on an online leaderboard. The city with the most AR Mapping tasks completed at the end of the weekend will win an exclusive event featuring a 1/4 Hatch Distance bonus!
• Receive a special reward when you complete an AR Mapping task.

What’s included in the City Spotlight ticketed experience

• Everything in the free citywide experience.
• The following Pokémon will be attracted to special event Incense: Onix, Lapras, Unown C, Nosepass, Rhyhorn, Doduo, Mantine, Pidgey, Pelipper, Pidgeot, and Stoutland. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny Unown C! Shiny Unown C will be available only for the duration of this event to Trainers who have a City Spotlight ticket.
• Explore the city with your Buddy Pokémon using exclusive City Spotlight Special Research as a guide! Complete the Special Research to receive a Poffin, an Incense, a Super Incubator, three Lucky Eggs, a Lure Module, an encounter with Lapras, XP, and Stardust.
• Earn up to three extra hearts with your buddy in every category.
• Your buddy will know that an exciting adventure is ahead! Give it treats during the event, and it’ll automatically become excited!
• 1/4 Hatch Distance when an Egg is placed in an Incubator while the City Spotlight initiative is active.
• Incense will be more effective while you’re walking and will last for two hours.

How to purchase a ticket
Tickets will be available in the Events tab in the Pokémon GO app starting Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. PST until Sunday, November 22, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. local time subject to availability. Tickets will be US$4.99, or the event’s local currency equivalent, inclusive of any applicable taxes and fees. Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins. Tickets will be sold as a first-come-first-served event. To purchase a ticket, please follow these steps.

• Open the Pokémon GO app.
• On the map, tap the Poké Ball icon.
• Tap Events.
• On the following webpage, tap your city’s City Spotlight event.
• You'll see “Tickets Available!” next to a first-come-first-served event if it hasn’t yet sold out. Tap the event to select the date and time you wish to attend the event, purchase tickets for yourself and friends, and input your payment information to complete your purchase. On the payment-confirmation page, please take note of your order ID. You’ll also receive a confirmation email at the address you entered right before payment.
• A few days before the event, you’ll receive a medal. When you open the app on the event day at the scheduled time, you’ll receive access to the City Spotlight experience, including the Special Research!
• After you’ve obtained the Special Research, you can complete it at any time. Tickets to this event are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service).

Tickets will also be available to purchase here. We hope you enjoy this new way of exploring with Pokémon GO and hope to bring more City Spotlights to you in the future.

There’s always so much to discover around us! It’s easy to take the familiar for granted, so be sure to let us know on social media what cool things you discover about your local communities with #PokemonGOCitySpotlight. It’s time to have fun and play tourist with your buddy—let’s GO!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change due to local travel restrictions.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/cityspotlight-2020/?hl=en

From Monday, November 9th, 2020 until Monday, November 16th, 2020, select Pokémon GO Trainers in Australia and New Zealand will be able to experience adjustments to the amount of XP they earn.

New tests coming soon for select Trainers

Trainers, Beginning on Monday, November 9, 2020, new tests will be happening in Pokémon GO! We’ll be conducting an XP-rebalancing test for select Trainers in Australia and New Zealand, during which, those Trainers will experience adjustments to the amount of XP they earn from activities such as catching Pokémon, hatching Eggs, evolving Pokémon, and more. This test will run until Monday, November 16, 2020. Additionally, Trainers around the world may begin seeing different items pop up in the Daily Free Box, which they can find in the FREE section of the shop. These items might be those most relevant to each Trainer’s Pokémon GO experience!

While these tests are running, be sure to share your feedback with us on social media by replying to @PokemonGoApp and @NianticHelp on Twitter. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to providing this update to all Trainers once testing is complete.

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/november-testing/?hl=en

Sensor Tower Store Intelligence estimates show that Pokémon GO has surpassing $1 billion in player spending from January 2020 to October 2020. Pokémon GO has now accumulated close to $4.2 billion in player spending globally since its launch in 2016.


Source: https://sensortower.com/blog/pokemon-go-one-billion-revenue-2020

Niantic has announced the details for the GO Battle League Season 5 which begins on Monday, November 9th, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8).

GO Battle League Season 5

Trainers, As previously mentioned in the blog post detailing Season 4, Season 5 of the GO Battle League will be shorter than previous seasons at just three weeks long. In addition, ratings will not be used for rank progression this season, and you’ll instead progress through the ranks by winning a certain number of battles. We hope to see Trainers take this opportunity to try out new strategies, test different battle teams, and prepare for Season 6!

Season 4 rewards, Season 5 timeline, and what to expect
When Season 5 begins on Monday, November 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8), your end-of-season rewards for Season 4 will be available on the Battle screen, including an Elite Fast TM if you reached rank 7 or higher. We’re also excited to reveal that Season 5 will feature entirely new cups! The dates in the schedule below are tentative. Stay tuned—we’ll update you if anything changes.

• The Little Cup will run from Monday, November 9, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8). Only Pokémon that are able to evolve and have not evolved even once are eligible. The CP limit is 500.
• The Kanto Cup will run from Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, November 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8). Only Pokémon with a Pokédex number between #001 and #151 are eligible. The CP limit is 1,500.
• The Catch Cup will run from Monday, November 23, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, November 30, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8). Only Pokémon that have been caught since the beginning of Season 5 are eligible. The CP limit is 1,500. Mythical Pokémon—such as Mew, Celebi, Jirachi, and Victini—are not eligible for the Catch Cup.

You can expect the following details to remain unchanged in Season 5.

• There will not be a walking requirement in order to battle in the GO Battle League.
• The Friendship level requirement for battling remotely will remain at Good Friends throughout Season5. Remember that you can scan another Trainer’s QR Code to battle them, no matter where they are.
• The avatar items inspired by Pikachu Libre will continue to be rank 7 rewards.
• You can still encounter Pikachu Libre once you’ve reached rank 10.
• The end-of-season rewards will be similar to those in Season 4.
• Stardust from rank 1 to rank 3
• Stardust, TMs, and a Premium Battle Pass from rank 4 to rank 10

What’s new in Season 5?
There are some notable changes coming to the GO Battle League for Season 5.

• Starting at rank 7, you’ll have a chance to encounter Legendary Pokémon on the GO Battle League rewards tracks. These Legendary Pokémon will be the same as those appearing concurrently in five-star raids. The rest of the Pokémon you can encounter on the rewards tracks will remain unchanged from Season 4. Please note that encounters with Legendary Pokémon on the rewards tracks will be available in the GO Battle League only during Season 5.
• Rank progression during this season will be based on effort rather than ratings.
  • To reach rank 2, you must complete a certain number of battles.
  • To reach ranks 3 through 10, you must win a certain number of battles..
• If you finish Season 5 at rank 7 or higher, you’ll receive an Elite Charged TM rather than an Elite Fast TM.

The following new attacks will be added to Pokémon GO.

• Incinerate: This Fire-type Fast Attack will initially be available only to Rapidash originally discovered in the Kanto region, Typhlosion, Ho-Oh, Darmanitan originally discovered in the Unova region, and Chandelure.

The following attack will be updated for Trainer Battles.

• Poison Sting: This Poison-type Fast Attack will now generate more energy, allowing Pokémon like Vespiquen, Drapion, and Whirlipede to use their Charged Attacks more frequently.

The following attack will be available to Pokémon that couldn’t learn it before.

• Flame Charge: This powerful Fire-type attack will now be teachable to Rapidash originally discovered in the Kanto region, Entei, Emboar, and Chandelure.

What are you looking forward to most in Season 5, Trainers? Let us know with #GOBattle! Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/gobattleleague-season5

Niantic has posted the release notes for the Pokémon GO version 0.191 update which was released on October 29th, 2020.

Pokémon GO - 0.191 Release Notes

Note: For Apple Users, this release will show as version 1.157 in the App Store.

Updates

• In Trainer Battles, the switch menu has been replaced by two buttons on the right side of the screen to more easily access the Pokémon you can switch to during your battles
• In Trainer Battles, the switch animation camera angle has shifted so that you are able to see your Pokémon's HP bar when your opponent is switching their Pokémon
• Soon, battle parties will be saved on your account itself instead of on your device, meaning they’ll be synced when you reinstall the game or change devices
• The Flying-type Charged Attack mini-game has been slightly slowed down
• You can now navigate from a Pokémon’s detail page directly to its Pokédex entry
• You can now navigate from a Pokédex entry directly to the Pokémon storage to see all Pokémon you have of that species
• Soon, you’ll be able to see more information about the Pokémon you obtain on the Pokémon detail page. Note that this will not backfill information on Pokémon you’ve obtained prior to this feature.
• A new loading screen has been added

Bug Fixes

• Fixed an issue that caused invited friends to be removed from a raid if all Pokémon in their battle party faint
• Fixed an issue that caused the “Remove Friend” button to be cut off from the bottom of the Friend detail page on devices with certain aspect ratios
• Fixed an issue that caused Adventure Sync to not work on some devices on Android 9 and below
• Fixed a visual error that showed eggs to be incubating when tapping on them from the Egg menu, regardless of whether they were in incubators or not
• Fixed an issue that caused the app to freeze when collecting Avatar items from Special Research rewards
• Fixed an issue that caused wins to not be recorded properly in GO Battle League
• Fixed an issue that caused the Best Buddy Pokémon CP boost to not be applied without first interacting with your buddy
• Fixed an issue that caused the account linking option to be missing from the Settings Menu

Source: https://niantic.helpshift.com/a/pokemon-go/?s=release-notes-known-issues&f=0-191-release-notes&p=web

Niantic has announced that there will be two Community Day events for November 2020. The Electabuzz Community Day will take place on Sunday, November 15th, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time while the Magmar Community Day will take place on Saturday, November 21st, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.

Electabuzz and Magmar will be featured during November’s Community Day events!

Trainers,For some of you around the world, November marks the beginning of the holiday season! It’s a great time to reflect on what we’re thankful for, such as our community. In celebration of the spirit of community, we’re excited to announce that there will be two separate Community Day events this November, one featuring Electabuzz, the Electric Pokémon, and one featuring Magmar, the Spitfire Pokémon!

Electabuzz Community Day

Date + Time
Sunday, November 15, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Electabuzz will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
• Evolve Electabuzz during the event or up to two hours afterward to get an Electivire that knows Flamethrower.
• Take a few snapshots during Community Day for a surprise!
• There’ll be a special one-time-purchase Electabuzz Community Day Box available for 1,280 PokéCoins, featuring an Elite Fast TM, three Super Incubators, three Incense, and 30 Ultra Balls.
• Event-exclusive Timed Research and Field Research tasks will be available! By completing Timed Research tasks, you’ll be able to earn Sinnoh Stones and other items.
• For US$1 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access the Electabuzz Community Day–exclusive Special Research story, Electric for Electabuzz.
• Elekid will be hatching from 2 km Eggs.

Stay tuned for when tickets for the Electric for Electabuzz Special Research story go live! Tickets are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Please note that this Special Research will not include an in-game medal.

Bonuses

• 1/4 Hatch Distance for Eggs placed in Incubators during the event.
• Incense activated during the event will last for three hours.

Magmar Community Day

Date + Time
Saturday, November 21, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time

Features

• Magmar will be appearing more frequently in the wild. If you’re lucky, you may encounter a Shiny one!
• Evolve Magmar during the event or up to two hours afterward to get a Magmortar that knows Thunderbolt.
• Take a few snapshots during Community Day for a surprise!
• There’ll be a special one-time-purchase Magmar Community Day Box available for 1,280 PokéCoins, featuring an Elite Charged TM, three Super Incubators, three Lucky Eggs, and 30 Ultra Balls.
• Event-exclusive Timed Research and Field Research tasks will be available! By completing Timed Research tasks, you’ll be able to earn Sinnoh Stones and other items.
• For US$1 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency), you’ll be able to access the Magmar Community Day–exclusive Special Research story, No Match for Magmar.
• Magby will be hatching from 2 km Eggs.

Stay tuned for when tickets for the No Match for Magmar Special Research story go live! Tickets are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Please note that this Special Research will not include an in-game medal.

Bonuses

• 1/4 Hatch Distance for Eggs placed in Incubators during the event.
• Incense activated during the event will last for three hours.

Don’t be too shocked—it’s time to get fired up for this pair of Community Day events in November. Don’t forget to share your experiences during both Community Day events with us on social media with #PokemonGOCommunityDay. Let’s GO! Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/communityday-nov20/

Niantic has announced that from Friday, November 6th, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time, an Animation Week 2020 event—based on Pokémon Journeys: The Series will take place in Pokémon GO.

Celebrate Pokémon Journeys: The Series with the Animation Week 2020 event!

Trainers, The Animation Week 2020 event—based on Pokémon Journeys: The Series—is coming soon to Pokémon GO! During this event, Pokémon encounters and other content with ties to the two main characters—Ash and Goh—will be available in Pokémon GO. You’ll also be able to participate in event-exclusive Timed Research inspired by the animated series’ storyline!

Date + Time
From Friday, November 6, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. to Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. local time

Features

• World Cap Pikachu will be appearing in the wild. Some lucky Trainers may even encounter a Shiny one!
• From Thursday, November 5, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. to Monday, November 16, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8), Lugia will be returning to five-star raids—this time with the attack Aeroblast!
• Pokémon like Ivysaur, Pinsir, Snorlax, Golurk, and others will be appearing in raids.
• You can look forward to encountering the following Pokémon more frequently in the wild: Bulbasaur, Exeggcute, Cubone, Scyther, Dratini, Cyndaquil, and more! If you’re lucky, you may even encounter a Shiny Cubone! *Pichu, Mantyke, Riolu, and Cubone will be hatching from 7 km Eggs. Lucky Trainers may even hatch a Shiny Cubone!
• Take on new Timed Research inspired by multiple episodes of the ongoing series Pokémon Journeys: The Series!
• Goh might appear in GO Snapshot! Be sure to take a snapshot during the event!
• Goh-inspired avatar items will be available! Check out the Style Shop to get yours for free.

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/animationweek2020/

Niantic has announced that in celebration of the release of The Crown Tundra DLC for the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, Galarian Ponyta and Sirfetch’d will arrive in Pokémon GO and new avatar items will be available!

Galarian Ponyta and Sirfetch’d will arrive in Pokémon GO

Trainers, In celebration of the release of The Crown Tundra, part two of the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass, an exciting event will take place in Pokémon GO! Some Pokémon originally discovered in the Galar region will be appearing in the wild!

Date + Time
Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. to Friday, October 23, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. PDT (GMT -7)

Features

• Galarian Farfetch’d, which first appeared in Pokémon GO during an event celebrating the release of The Isle of Armor (part one of the Pokémon Sword Expansion Pass and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass), will be appearing in the wild!
• You’ll also be able to evolve Galarian Farfetch’d into Sirfetch’d! To evolve Galarian Farfetch’d, you’ll have to make 10 Excellent Throws with it as your buddy. Note that the number of Excellent Throws you’ve made won’t reset when you change your Buddy Pokémon, so keep on trying!
• Galarian Ponyta will be appearing in Raid Battles! This Pokémon has a small horn that hides a healing power.
• You’ll also be able to evolve Galarian Ponyta into Galarian Rapidash.

Go and catch yourself these Galarian Pokémon while the event lasts! After the event ends, Galarian Ponyta and Galarian Farfetch’d will be hatching from 7 km Eggs, and you’ll still be able to evolve these Pokémon.

New avatar items, including the Crown Tundra Uniform, are available!

New avatar items designed to resemble the clothing Trainers wear in The Crown Tundra are available in the Style Shop! You can get them at no cost, so head over to the Style Shop to check them out!

You can find more details on The Crown Tundra here!

Please be aware of your surroundings and follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. Upcoming events are subject to change.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/the-crown-tundra/