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Prepare to catch'em all at Pokémon GO's enormous event in Las Vegas

Jamal Michel

Primal Kyogre and Groudon (background) with Mudkip, Pikcachu, Treecko, Pikachu, and Torchic (left to right in the foreground). Niantic hide caption

Primal Kyogre and Groudon (background) with Mudkip, Pikcachu, Treecko, Pikachu, and Torchic (left to right in the foreground).

Pokémon GO , likely the world's most recognizable augmented reality game , hosts a gigantic in-person event February 18-19 in Las Vegas. This "tour" celebrates Hoenn, the setting for the third generation of Pokémon games, Ruby and Sapphire.

As with each of the game's previous tours, Pokémon GO Tour Hoenn focuses on a particular Pokémon, elemental type, or pop culture moment tied to the franchise. For this event, legendary powerhouses Kyogre and Groudon will have access to their Primal forms — a process that allows them to revert back to their original designs which feature flowing lava and brighter patterns on Groudon's arms and Kyogre's fins.

Pokémon GO Tour 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico. Marc Vollmannshauser/Niantic hide caption

Pokémon GO Tour 2022 in Monterrey, Mexico.

Returning to a beloved region

At the start of the event, players can choose from two teams, Ruby or Sapphire. The former increases the presence of Primal Groudon Raids, and the latter Primal Kyogre. For the first time since Pokémon GO launched, players will finally get to encounter the Primal versions of these legendary Pokémon.

Along with access to Primal Reversion, the event will also showcase one of the most popular forms of Pokémon across its many games: shiny variants. These color-changed versions of Pokémon are coveted most by collectors for how rarely they spawn in the wild.

The two teams to choose from: Ruby or Sapphire. Niantic hide caption

The two teams to choose from: Ruby or Sapphire.

During GO Tour Hoenn, players also have the chance to encounter other exclusive Pokémon. That includes the legendary Eon Pokémon Latios and Latias, the ever elusive Kecleon (which can also be shiny) and several species of Pokémon with shiny chances across different habitats: Nincada and Bagon in the Blistering Sands Habitat, along with Absol and Beldum in the Eerie Mists Habitat. You can even nab a costumed Pikachu wearing Brendan and May's hats from the Sapphire and Ruby games.

The event will also feature new music from Junichi Masuda, The Pokémon Company's Chief Creative Fellow and programmer whose ties to the franchise reach back to its very first games.

It's an addition that Humberto Kam, Niantic's Director of Global Live Events, hopes resonates most with fans.

The GO Tour will introduce new stickers as well. Niantic hide caption

The GO Tour will introduce new stickers as well.

"We're totally nerding out about that, because as people walk in [to the event], I want people to hear those horns from Hoenn...it was a great place to draw inspiration from, not only for the nostalgia but also to put a different spin on things." Kam said the experience is also an attempt to bridge the gap between fans old and new to the world of Pokémon GO .

Kam shared that destination appeal is a significant metric for in-person events as players may want to participate in activities outside of the game. "As much as we love Pokémon GO , if I was going to the event, my wife might want to have something else to do," he added laughing.

"We did Kanto and Johto years prior, so this was next on the list but given that it's Hoenn, we knew we had to do it right," Kam said about the impact of Ruby and Sapphire and the plans for this year's GO Tour.

Familiar faces

Bringing Hoenn's iconic legends to the event was an ode to a generation beloved by players across the Pokémon community. "When we started talking about GO Tour for this year, we just went Primals, right? We're going to add Primals?'" Kam said about the planning stages. From very early on they wanted to do something special and it felt like a "no-brainer" to add the feature.

Throughout the history of the franchise, Groudon and Kyogre have been staples in the anime, in viral memes , and on teams that have had massive success in the video game format tournaments of Pokémon's competitive scene .

The two, along with the legendary dragon Rayquaza, make up what fans have coined "the weather trio" — a trifecta of elemental barons who hold dominion over their respective ecosystems.

Mega Latios and Latias flank the third member of the weather-trio, Rayquaza Niantic hide caption

Mega Latios and Latias flank the third member of the weather-trio, Rayquaza

Groudon, as its earthy name suggests, reigns over the lithosphere, while the water Pokémon Kyogre rules the hydrosphere. In Pokémon lore, both creatures remain locked in an ancient rivalry, causing the earth's surface to split and its oceans to swell.

In the main series of games, Groudon and Kyogre serve as the cover art for Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire versions, respectively. Together, the games are listed as the eighth best-selling titles in the franchise's history.

James Perkins Mastromarino and Andy Bickerton contributed to this report.

Event Effects

Spawn increases, spawn increases in entire event.

Specific Egg Hatches

Spawn increases throughout blistering sands habitat, spawn increases throughout eerie mists habitat, spawn increases throughout verdant earth habitat, spawn increases throughout ancient shores habitat, spawn increases throughout primal surge: groudon habitat, spawn increases throughout primal surge: kyogre habitat, special move when evolved/caught, new pokémon in event, new shiny pokémon in event, event specific raid battles, special research introduced in event, timed research introduced in event, collection challenge introduced in event, masterwork research introduced in event, event exclusive field research, event exclusive stickers, event item boxes.

Clothing Added in Event

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Pokemon Go Tour: Hoenn - Las Vegas Brings Primal Legendaries To The Strip In February

Sunset Park will play host to the next in-person Pokemon Go event.

By Jason Fanelli on November 29, 2022 at 6:00AM PST

What happens in Vegas, just this once, doesn't have to stay in Vegas, as Niantic has announced Las Vegas will be the host for the Pokemon Go Tour: Hoenn in-person event early next year.

The Pokemon Go Tour: Hoenn - Las Vegas event will take place February 18-19 from 10 AM PT to 6 PM PT at Sunset Park, which is located directly southeast of Harry Reid International Airport. Trainers who attend will find new legendary Pokemon accessible via secret codes hidden around the park, a special research story, and more.

The specifics for the Las Vegas event are as follows:

• Increased chance for Shiny Pokemon, including Shiny Jirachi
• Primal Reversion forms of legendary Pokemon
• Secret codes hidden throughout Sunset Park that must be found to earn the chance for encounters with Legendary Pokémon.
• A Special Research story, available only to those who purchased a ticket, that lets players work alongside the Team Go Rocket Leaders for the first time ever.
• Special meet-and-greets with notable trainers from the community (names to be announced)
• A Ruby or Sapphire badge chosen by the player, with the choice determining certain parts of the event
• Distance needed to hatch an egg will be halved
• Up to nine additional daily raid passes per day from Gyms

The following weekend, February 25-26 from 10 AM to 6 PM local time, a global verison of the Pokemon Go Tour: Hoenn event will be available to all players. A free Special Research story centered around the Primal Reversion forms of Groudon and Kyogre will be available during the event, as well as a special Masterwork Research where trainers can access Shiny Jirachi.

Pokemon Go is available to download for free on iOS and Android devices. Early bird tickets for Pokemon Go Fest: Hoenn - Las Vegas are available in the app between now and December 31 for $25.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email [email protected]

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Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas comes to Nevada February 18–19th, 2023

Teaming up with...Team GO Rocket?!

Shining Surprises

A coded quest.

New costumed Pokémon will appear during the event!

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Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn - Global

Pokémon GO Tour returns in 2023 for Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas and Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global! Get ready to head to Las Vegas and have a chance to catch most Pokémon from the Hoenn Region of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire— – or experience the adventure globally the following weekend!

Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire are the third generation of Pokémon games, released on the Game Boy Advance. Trainers first encountered the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre and Groudon in these games!

Trainers who attend either event will be able to choose between a Ruby ticket or a Sapphire ticket. This choice will give you different options for your adventure—we’ll release more information later to help you make your decision!

You can find details on the Las Vegas event here .

Ruby vs. Sapphire Challenge

As the earth and sea clash, which side will you stand with? All Trainers will be able to pick between a Ruby and Sapphire badge. The team you pick will shape certain in-person Pokémon encounters!

Each hour, you can complete special Field Research on behalf of your team. Depending on which team completes more Field Research, all Trainers will see increased Primal Raids for either Primal Kyogre (Sapphire) or Primal Groudon (Ruby)—plus an increased chance of encountering additional wild Pokémon!

The badge Trainers pick at Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas will carry over to the global event the following weekend.

Primal Surges!

Something is happening to Kyogre and Groudon, and they are bringing the might of the sea and earth with them.

You can encounter their Primal Reversion forms for the first time in Pokémon GO and experience the true nature of their power at the global event, Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global!

Kecleon heads to Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global!

After its initial appearance at Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas, we’ve learned that lucky Trainers may encounter Shiny Kecleon in the wild during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global!

Don’t miss your chance to catch this elusive Pokémon from the Hoenn region!

You can look forward to new pieces of featured music inspired by Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire. These pieces were created by Junichi Masuda, Pokémon video game series composer and Chief Creative Fellow of The Pokémon Company!

General Bonuses

All Trainers will receive these bonuses.

In the Wild

Special Pokémon will appear in unique habitats during the event! Habitats will rotate hourly. The times listed below are in local time.

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM - Blistering Sands 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Eerie Mists 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Verdant Earth 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Ancient Shores 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Blistering Sands 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM - Eerie Mists 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM - Verdant Earth 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM - Ancient Shores

Blistering Sands Habitat

The Blistering Sands habitat will be available during the following times:

• 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
• 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Eerie Mists Habitat

The Eerie Mists habitat will be available during the following times:

• 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Verdant Earth Habitat

The Verdant Earth habitat will be available during the following times:

• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
• 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Ancient Shores Habitat

The Ancient Shores habitat will be available during the following times:

• 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
• 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Additional Wild Encounters

As teams compete in the Ruby vs. Sapphire Challenge, certain additional Pokémon will appear in the wild based on hourly results. Complete Field Research on behalf of your team to increase your chance of encountering these Pokémon!

Primal Surge: Kyogre

These are the wild encounters that will appear more frequently in the wild for all Trainers if Team Kyogre completes more Field Research during the hour.

Primal Surge: Groudon

These are the wild encounters that will appear more frequently in the wild for all Trainers if Team Groudon completes more Field Research during the hour.

Pokémon from Incense

Costumed Pikachu and Unown will appear from Incense during the entire event. (This does not include Daily Adventure Incense).

Latios/Latias in the Wild

Trainers will be able to encounter Latios or Latias in the wild based on the team they selected. They will be difficult to catch and will usually flee after one attempt.

Ruby Ticket

Trainers with the Ruby ticket will only see Latios in the wild.

Sapphire Ticket

Trainers with the Sapphire Ticket will only see Latias in the wild.

The following Pokémon will be hatching from Eggs during the event!

In 2 km Eggs

In 5 km Eggs

In 7 km eggs, in 10 km eggs.

The following Pokémon will appear in Raids!

Appearing in 1-Star Raids

Appearing in 5-star raids.

Appearing in Primal Raids

Kyogre caught during this event will know Origin Pulse . Groudon caught during this event will know Precipice Blades .

Masterwork Research: Wish Granted

Ticket-exclusive Special Research

Wishes can come true—just ask Jirachi, the Wish Pokémon! Trainers around the world will be able to purchase Masterwork Research to encounter Shiny Jirachi!* Masterwork Research provides Trainers with an opportunity to take on difficult challenges and daunting tasks, which are rewarded with a spectacular discovery!

Tickets will be available for purchase in the in-game shop for S$4.99 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency, plus any applicable taxes and fees) from Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. PST until Monday, March 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. PST. Tickets cannot be purchased with PokéCoins. Tickets to this event are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service).

* Masterwork Research with fewer steps leading to an encounter with Shiny Jirachi will be available to ticket-holding Trainers who attend Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas Pokémon GO Tour attendees with the shorter Masterwork Research will not be able to purchase the longer global Masterwork Research.

Note: The steps outlined here are for the Trainers who purchsed a Ticket from the Shop. If you attended Pokémon GO Tour in Las Vegas, you will have a shorter version. The details for that version can be found here: Wish Granted - Las Vegas Version

Field Research Tasks

Collect Mega Energy and encounter Ghost-type Pokémon with new, rare Field Research tasks!

Spooky Scramble Tasks

The Spooky Scramble Field Research tasks are decoded as follows:

█v██v█ a N██c█d█ Evolve a Nincada

██k█ 3 G███t ███v█b███ T███w█ █n a ██w Make 3 Great Curveball Throws in a row

█r███f██ 5 ███é███ Transfer 5 Pokémon

█s█ 5 ██r██e█ t█ ███p ███ch ███é███ Use 5 Berries to help catch Pokémon

Latios/Latias Photo Safari

Event-exclusive Timed Research

Trainers will receive one of the following Timed Research corresponding to the team they chose.

Trainers with the Ruby ticket will only see Latios in the wild. Trainers with the Sapphire Ticket will only see Latias in the wild.

Chasing Legends

Event-exclusive Special Research

Professor Willow has tasked Rhi with researching Hoenn folklore about the Red and Blue Orbs—items which are said to have some connection to Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon—and Rhi needs your help!

After Step 1, you’ll make a choice between Cacnea, Gulpin and Surskit. Your choice will be attracted more by Incense and you can earn extra encounters of your choice via Special Research!

Your team choice determines (Ruby or Sapphire) if you get Primal Omega Energy or Primal Alpha Energy in Step 3 and Step 4.

Tap or click the button that corresponds to your Team and Pokémon Branch choice to see the overview of what to expect.

Team Sapphire

Collection Challenges

There are four Collection Challenges, one for each Habitat during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn - Global.

Remaining Shiny Pokémon from Hoenn

Also, for the first time in Pokémon GO, you’ll be able to encounter Shiny Unown H, Shiny Surskit, Shiny Gulpin, Shiny Torkoal, Shiny Cacnea, Shiny Tropius, Shiny Relicanth, and Shiny Kecleon.

Shiny Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon

Shiny Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon will also become available with their release in Primal Raids.

New Avatar Items

You can pick up the following avatar items from the in-game shop during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas and Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global.

• Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn T-Shirt

The following avatar items will be available for purchase during Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Las Vegas and Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn – Global.

• Kyogre Tracksuit
• Groudon Tracksuit
• Kecleon Bag

Event Stickers

All Trainers will be able to get Pokémon GO Tour: Hoenn–themed stickers in the in-game shop from Friday, February 17, to Sunday, February 26, 2023. These stickers will also be available via PokéStops and Gifts from Friday, February 17, to Saturday, February 18, 2023 and from Wednesday, February 22, to Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Hey, I'm LeekDuck. I create Pokémon GO graphics, resources and report Pokémon GO news. You can find them on my Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook Page. You can also find me on Twitch and YouTube!

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Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles comes to California February 17–18

Experience an exclusive pokémon go in-person event in los angeles.

Trainers! Your favorite Pokémon from the Sinnoh region of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl are coming to Rose Bowl Stadium! Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles arrives in California in February 2024. Don’t miss your chance to play Pokémon GO alongside thousands of other Trainers from around the world while catching, trading, and battling with your favorite Pokémon! Who knows which special Pokémon you may encounter during Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles!

Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles

February 17, 2024, and February 18, 2024

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST

Tickets for Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles include one day of event gameplay, and attendees may purchase add-ons that extend the citywide gameplay for an additional day. One-day tickets are US$30.00 (or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency, plus any applicable taxes and fees) and are available for purchase on the Pokémon GO Tour website. You will see “Tickets Available” next to the Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles event ticket if it hasn’t sold out yet. Event gameplay will be available only at the date, time, and location specified on your ticket.

Note: Tickets to this event are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Tickets are first come, first served and are available for purchase while supplies last.

Experience a legendary debut: Origin Forme Dialga and Palkia make their Pokémon GO debuts at Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh!

Trainers can encounter this powerful duo in raids for the first time during space-time anomalies at Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles in the last thirty minutes of each hour during event hours. Trainers may even encounter a Shiny one—if they’re lucky!

*Trainers without an active Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles ticket or Citywide Gameplay add-on can participate in Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia raids, but will not be able to encounter a Shiny one, or one that knows its signature attack, until Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Global.

Strange skies and new Pokémon can only mean one thing: a space-time anomaly is forming!

Appearing at Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh, space-time anomalies are mysterious phenomena connecting our world to the distant past. Thanks to these anomalies, Pokémon first discovered in the Hisui region will appear in habitats and raids!

Grab your friends—new Party Play challenges exclusive to Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles will be available to ticket-holding Trainers! Work together with friends for encounters with Regirock, Regice, Registeel, and Regigigas!

• Learn more about Party Play

Feeling grateful? Ticket-holding Trainers attending the in-person event in Los Angeles can gear up for Masterwork Research leading to an encounter with Shiny Shaymin !

A ticket for Masterwork Research leading to an encounter with Shiny Shaymin will be made available to purchase globally. The global Masterwork Research will be more challenging than its Los Angeles counterpart. Stay tuned for additional details!

Will you investigate the depths of space or the powers of time? Trainers will be able to pick between a Diamond or Pearl badge. The badge you pick will determine certain rewards and bonuses!

The badge Trainers pick at Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles will carry over to the global event the following weekend.

Trainers taking part in Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles will have an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region and beyond!*

Pokémon GO Tour: Sinnoh – Los Angeles attendees will be able to encounter Shiny Stunky, Shiny Chingling, Shiny Chatot, Shiny Carnivine, Shiny Pachirisu, and more for the first time in Pokémon GO—if they’re lucky!

Trainers will also be able to enjoy bonuses such as 1/2 Hatch Distance, up to nine additional daily Raid Passes for spinning Photo Discs at Gyms, and more!

*Ticket-holding Trainers at the in-person event in Los Angeles may have increased luck in encountering Shiny Pokémon. Shiny Pokémon are not guaranteed by purchasing a ticket.

Join us in Los Angeles for a Pokémon GO Tour you’ll never forget!

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What time does Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn Las Vegas and global start?

Pokémon Go fans are in for a treat since one of this year’s biggest events is starting soon. The Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn will offer various activities to discover, as well as many bonuses and rewards to get.

The event will also introduce a lot of new content to the AR mobile game. It’ll add Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre to its Pokémon pool, which is introducing the Primal Reversion mechanic as a whole.

Shiny hunters will also have their share of content to look forward to. Among all spawn rate increases during the event, one is Shiny Relicanth, which is being introduced with the Pokémon Go Tour.

When does Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn Las Vegas and global start?

The first Pokémon Go Tour of the year will take place this weekend on Feb. 18 and 19. This only concerns the in-person part of the event, however. Players all around the globe will be able to discover the event the following weekend, on Feb. 25 and 26.

The global event, on the other hand, isn’t tied to a specific timezone. As usual, the start time of the event will change based on the timezone of players.

Related: One high-level Pokémon Go player’s success has the community baffled

The Las Vegas event will start tomorrow, Feb. 18, at 12pm CT and will end the day after at 8pm CT. All tickets for the local event have been sold out. Players who want to take part in the festivities will still be able to get tickets for the next version of the Tour, however.

The Pokémon Go Tour: Hoenn global event will start at 10am local time on Feb. 25. It will end at 6pm local time the next day.