Author: Ariel Landrum
Did You Know Pokémon GO is Still Going Strong?
If you thought Pokémon GO faded into nostalgia, think again! The global fanbase is thriving, and nowhere was that more evident than at the Pokémon GO Tour: Unova – Los Angeles, held at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California from February 21 to 23, 2025. Thousands of trainers gathered for an immersive event filled with seasonal-themed habitats, rare Pokémon encounters, epic raids, and fun freebies.
And guess what? I was there!
As a complete and utter surprise, my partner secretly got me a ticket and didn’t tell me until the day before. He saw on our shared Google Calendar that I was free and decided to turn our Sunday into a Pokémon GO adventure. As we got ready, I suggested inviting our friend Drew from Fanbase Press, and by some miracle, he was available too. None of us knew exactly what to expect, but we were about to head into a Sunday Funday filled with gameplay and community.
OOTD: Pokémon GO Edition
I love a good themed outfit, but since this trip was a surprise, I had to throw something together last minute. Color-blocking seemed like my best bet for a Pikachu-inspired look. In my closet I found my yellow Disney pizza-themed jersey. The top half is solid yellow, and the bottom half is covered in pepperoni pizzas, with a few hidden Mickey pepperoni mixed in. It wasn’t exactly Pikachu, but hey, Mickey’s a mouse, Pikachu is a rodent Pokémon, and the bold yellow stood out, so that was close enough for me.
I paired it with my Pikachu hat, complete with sticking-up ears and an adorable face design. It was fun seeing my shadow with the ears poking up, like the silhouette of a real Pika-Pika. To complete the look, I wore my limited-edition yellow and black Pikachu Puma sneakers, which got quite a few compliments throughout the day. I rounded out the outfit with black pants, but I had to keep rolling them up because of the heat. Next time, I’ll definitely go with shorts or a short-sleeved shirt to stay cooler.
The real MVP of my outfit, though, was my Pokémon fanny pack. My friends gifted me this Pokéball-themed bumbag two Christmases ago, and it was perfect for this event! The strap has a red and white Pokéball design, and the Pokéball logo is right on the front. It wasn’t just for looks—I attached my Pokémon GO Plus to it, making it super easy to spin PokéStops and catch Pokémon on the go. Convenient and on-theme!
One thing I was really glad I planned for? Foot support. Investing in arch-support socks and insoles meant that despite all the walking, I didn’t have any foot pain the next day. That alone was a win. While plenty of people went in Pokémon-themed attire, poke-onesies, or full-out cosplay, I rather enjoyed my fashionably festive functional fit.
My partner unintentionally ended up matching me, wearing a yellow short-sleeved shirt and his own pair of Pikachu Puma sneakers. He also made the smart choice of wearing cargo shorts, which were much better for the heat. He also carried our clear backpack the entire day, which held all of our essentials—snacks, water bottles, power banks, and charging cords—making sure we were prepared without having to juggle everything in our hands. Meanwhile, Drew went purely for comfort, sticking to shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers. No theme for him, just practicality, which honestly might have been the best choice given how much walking we did.
A Massive Pokémon Playground
As soon as we arrived, it was clear that this event was massive. The Rose Bowl and the surrounding Brookside Golf Course were transformed into a Pokémon GO playground, stretching across several hundred acres. The event map covered so much ground that by the end of the day, I had logged over 20,000 steps—enough to hatch a serious number of 2k eggs! Some special research tasks even had us doubling back between PokéStops, which made the mileage add up fast. If you didn’t plan your route well, you’d be retracing your steps—a lot. I now completely understand why some trainers opted for the three-day event pass rather than trying to cram everything into one day.
The event was designed to immerse players in the Unova region, with different areas themed after the four seasons. Each habitat had its own unique atmosphere, featuring custom-built environments and Pokémon spawns that reflected the seasonal changes. Walking from one section to the next, I noticed how the in-game visuals mirrored the real-world surroundings—falling confetti changed colors, Pokémon habitats aligned with their respective themes, and the entire space felt like stepping into a living version of Unova.
Inside the Rose Bowl field itself, life-sized Pikachu and the Unova starters—Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy—stood ready for photos, giving players a chance to snap a picture with their favorite Pokémon. While I didn’t get to meet Pikachu in the designated photo area, I did have a spontaneous Pikachu encounter—or at least, I made one happen. Because of the heat, the mascot needed extra breaks, so the official meet-and-greet times weren’t super accurate. Both times I tried, he was about to leave. Still, I caught him doing a fun little dance, and when he walked past our line later, I whipped out my phone, switched to selfie mode, and snapped a pic as he waved.
That counts as a character encounter, right?
Beyond the character meet-and-greets, what really made the event stand out was how immersive it felt. From the bright florals of Spring to the snow-covered wonderland of Winter, each section offered a completely different vibe, making the entire event feel dynamic and interactive.
A Closer Look at the Habitats
Spring Soiree was bright and inviting, with an explosion of colorful flowers arranged into elaborate displays. The backdrops featured the logos of Team Mystic, Team Valor, and Team Instinct, subtly intertwined with the floral designs. The air felt light and cheerful, and the Pokémon that spawned in this section reflected that, with many of the grass and bug types from the Unova region appearing frequently.
Summer Vacation had an entirely different energy. It was buzzing with excitement, with a Ferris wheel standing tall as one of the main attractions, adding a whimsical, carnival-like vibe to the space. I didn’t ride it, of course—I have a huge fear of heights! Instead, the highlight of this habitat for me was the classic carnival games set up for attendees. While they didn’t offer prizes, they gave people a chance to interact in a playful way outside of the usual Pokémon GO activities. The games were simple but fun, and I saw plenty of young trainers taking breaks from catching Pokémon to challenge their parents. This section also had more fire and flying-type Pokémon, which fit perfectly with the sunny, festival-like atmosphere.
Autumn Masquerade, by contrast, had a slightly eerie, mischievous feel to it. Jack-o’-lanterns lined parts of the area, and the Team Rocket scarecrows gave off the impression that you were being watched—very on-brand for Unova’s more villainous elements. This was where many of the dark and ghost-type Pokémon appeared, adding to the theme. It almost felt like a mini-Halloween event tucked within the larger experience, and I loved how much personality this section held!
Winter Caverns was by far my favorite. The moment you stepped into the area, the temperature seemed to drop—though that might have just been psychological because of the impressive walk-through snow cave. The structure itself was made to look like a frozen cavern, with cool blue lighting that made it feel like you were stepping into an icy tundra. To top it off, a snow machine blew artificial snow, creating a surprisingly cozy winter wonderland in the middle of a sunny day. This section was home to ice and water-type Pokémon, and the ambiance made it feel like you were searching for them in their natural environment.
More Than Just Catching Pokémon
Beyond the immersive habitats, the event had several extra perks that made the experience even more exciting. Trainers had an increased chance of encountering shiny Pokémon, and while Niantic never shares exact rates, many players walked away with a noticeable boost in shiny catches. The event required a one-day ticket, priced at $30, which granted access to exclusive gameplay within the Rose Bowl Stadium and its surroundings. For those who wanted more time to explore, an additional day pass was available for $15 per day. There were also specialized add-ons for players with different goals, like the “Raid Lover” and “Egg-thusiast” upgrades, which cost $15 each and provided extra raid passes or egg hatching bonuses.
Pokémon GO Tour also featured exclusive event merchandise, allowing trainers to commemorate the experience. Some of the most popular items included apparel like the Black Kyurem Wings and White Kyurem Backpack. Event-themed stickers were also available through PokéStops and Gifts, adding a collectible touch to the event.
Aside from catching Pokémon, there were also trivia challenges where players could win event-exclusive enamel pins and keychains. And guess what? I won both! Not because I knew all the answers, but because I cheered for the winners and supported the community. It was another reminder that Pokémon GO isn’t just about competition—it’s about connection, celebrating each other, and having fun together.
Connection, Resilience, and Community
Pokémon GO has always been about more than just catching Pokémon—it’s about bringing people together. And this event proved that in the best way! While we were waiting in line for free luggage tags (decorative pull tabs themed after Team Valor, Mystic, and Instinct), Drew unexpectedly ran into an old friend who manages a comic book shop in North Hollywood. They hadn’t seen each other in a while, but as soon as they started talking, they realized they were Lucky Friends in the game. For those who don’t know, a Lucky Trade guarantees the Pokémon you trade will have better stats and cost less Stardust to power up, making it a rare and valuable opportunity. It was the kind of moment that only happens at a Pokémon GO event—friends reconnecting over something as simple as a digital trade.
Later in the evening, we saw on Instagram that another friend of ours had also been at the event, but with the sheer number of attendees, we never crossed paths. It was a reminder of just how big the event actually was, but also of the shared excitement that brought so many people together in one place. Whether we ran into old friends, chatted with fellow players at the trivia challenges, exchanged tips with trainers in line, or had quick conversations with the event staff, the sense of community and connection was everywhere. Pokémon GO has a way of turning strangers into teammates, and throughout the day, it was easy to strike up conversations with people who were just as passionate about the game.
That sense of community carried an even deeper meaning this year. In January 2025, Los Angeles endured devastating wildfires, with the Eaton Fire alone destroying over 9,000 structures and displacing thousands of people. The Rose Bowl had served as a refuge for displaced families, transforming from a landmark of celebration to one of survival. As an Angeleno, standing in that same space now, surrounded by excitement, laughter, and shared enthusiasm for the game, was incredibly moving.
This event became a reminder of resilience, healing, and the importance of coming together. Even after disaster and hardship, we can reconnect, find moments of joy, and rebuild not just our surroundings but our sense of normalcy and belonging. Pokémon GO, in its own way, makes that possible, giving people a reason to walk outside, talk to strangers, and share in something bigger than themselves.
What Just Makes Sense at Pokémon GO Events
After attending, it became clear that some things just make sense at a Pokémon GO event—features that make gameplay smoother and enhance the experience for thousands of players.
One of the biggest improvements from past events was the cell service reinforcements. Verizon set up portable network towers so players wouldn’t struggle with connection issues like in previous years, making sure we could raid, trade, and catch Pokémon without lag. Trading tents were another great addition, offering designated areas for trainers to make trades efficiently without crowding random spots in the park. Charging stations were placed throughout the event, ensuring phones didn’t die mid-catch. And of course, no big event in LA would be complete without iconic food trucks, including the legendary Kogi truck, which was one of the highlights for food options.
What This Event Can Do to Improve
For as much as the event got right, there were still some areas that could use improvement. More shade would have made a huge difference, especially near the charging stations, where players stood in the sun waiting for their phones to power up. Free water stations, especially in the golf-course section outside The Bowl, would have been a game-changer, as the heat made hydration essential, and not everyone knew they could bring their own bottles. More bathroom access in the surrounding areas would have also helped, as the result was long lines at the facilities.
From a gameplay perspective, better in-game navigation would have made a huge difference. A built-in event guide in the app could have prevented unnecessary backtracking, allowing players to move through challenges and research tasks more efficiently. And finally, more free Raid Passes would have been a great perk. The event ticket included five, but with the sheer number of raids happening throughout the day, unlimited passes—at least within the event area—would have made for an even better experience.
Supporting Local Resilience
After the event, we wanted to continue supporting the community—specifically, a local business that was either donating to Eaton Fire survivors or directly impacted by the disaster. That search led us to Little Beast, a charming neighborhood restaurant housed in a beautiful craftsman-style home just two miles from the Rose Bowl.
While Little Beast itself wasn’t affected by the fires, its owners also operated Fox’s Restaurant, a beloved Altadena diner that had been serving the community since 1955—until it was tragically destroyed in the fires. In response to this loss, the owners launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Fox’s staff as they worked toward rebuilding.
It felt important to contribute in whatever way we could, as we donated to the fundraiser and chose Little Beast as our post-event meal stop. It was a small way to uplift a local business that had been deeply connected to the impacted community.
This Meal Was Super Effective!
After miles of walking, catching Pokémon, and soaking in the energy of the event, a great meal was exactly what we needed—and Little Beast did not disappoint. Not only did it feel good to support a local business, but the food itself was absolutely worth it.
We started with the Artisan Cheese Board, a beautiful spread of cheeses served with pickles, membrillo, fruit, and nuts, alongside warm house-made bread. The combination of flavors was balanced and fresh—the kind of appetizer that feels both indulgent and comforting.
For our entrées, I went with the Little Beast Bacon Cheddar Burger, which featured a dry-aged prime beef patty topped with tomato onion jam, lettuce, house-made bacon, aged cheddar, and house pickles, served with crispy French fries. It was rich, flavorful, and exactly what I was craving after such a long day.
My partner opted for the Shrimp & Grits, a dish packed with bold flavors—shrimp paired with tasso ham, mushrooms, tarragon, scallion, and pernod, all served over creamy parmesan grits. The balance of textures and the depth of seasoning made it stand out.
Meanwhile, Drew went for the Red Wine Braised Short Rib, which was served with mashed potatoes, house-made ham, green beans, sweet pepper sun-dried tomato chimichurri, and pan jus. The short rib was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sides complemented it perfectly.
As we sat in the cozy ambiance of Little Beast, reflecting on the day, it felt like the perfect way to wrap up an experience that had been all about connection, resilience, and community.
So, if you haven’t played Pokémon GO in a while, maybe it’s time to give it another shot. It’s still bringing people together, fostering friendships, and—most importantly—creating moments of joy in the real world.
Who knows? Maybe at the next big event, you’ll be the one making a Lucky Trade with an old friend.
