Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next

Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets.

And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience.

So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and community events are still going strong. Plus we have another summer of Pokémon Go Fest events to look forward to.

But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.

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Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates

• What's new? Pokémon Go is celebrating its third anniversary

Third Anniversary Celebrations

Three is the magic number in the Pokémon universe and Niantic is celebration Pokémon Go's third anniversary with some new features and events.

New Features

From June 28 shiny Alolan Pokémon will appear in the game. Players will have the chance to encounter and catch Rattata, Sandshrew, Vulpix, Diglett, Meowth, Geodude, Grimer, Exeggutor in their Alolan forms. There will also be items featuring the styles of the three team leaders available in the in-game Style Shop with which players can customize their own avatars. 

Limited Time Events

From June 28 until July 6, players could encounter a Pikachu wearing a party hat while taking an in-game snapshot. Pichu wearing party hats will be available to hatch from 7km eggs, too. 

For a slightly longer term, from June 28 until September 2, players will be able to take advantage of the fact that trading Pokémon will cost 1/4 less Stardust and faster take downs when it comes to Raid Bosses. Finally, for this period players of level 10 and above will see "Jump-Start Research" tasks, the rewards for which will allow lapsed, or friends of lapsed, players get back into the game and continue playing on a more level field.

When's the next Pokémon Go event?

Pokémon Go Fest

There are more Pokémon Go Fest gatherings taking place around the world this summer. While these gatherings take place in specific cities, even if you can't make it it's worth keeping an eye out for the ways you can participate from a distance. 

• July 4 - 7: Dortmund, Westfalen Park
• August 5 - 12: Yokohama

Global Challenge

Alongside Pokémon Go Fest Professor Willow has set some challenges on a global scale this summer for each of the team leaders - Spark, Blanche and Candela - and their followers so that everyone can take part no matter where they are. When a team successfully completes their task, they'll get special rewards.

Spark's challenge period in tadem with Chicago's event has already taken place.

Next up is Candela's XP challenge during the Dortmund Fest from July 4 to July 7. The challenge for each team is still to complete 15 million research tasks globally but this time Team Instinct will unlock 1-hour Lucky Eggs, Team Valor will get triple Hatch XP and Team Mystic will be treated to double Raid XP on completion. Any unlocked bonus will then run until July 16. If all bonuses are unlocked then Entei will be available in raids on July 14.

The final challenge is for Blanche, revolving around Stardust. This challenge ties in with the Fest in Yokohama and runs from August 5 to August 12. This time around players must complete 25 million research tasks globally (there's a little more time, after all). On successful completion, Team Instinct will 3000 Stardust per Raid, Team Valor will get triple Hatch Stardust and Team Mystic will unlock 1-hour Star Pieces. Any unlocked bonus will then run from August 13 until August 20. Unlock all of the bonuses? Then you can look forward to Suicune Raids on August 13.

When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?

• What date is the next Community Day? July 21
• Who's the starring Pokémon? Mudkip

Now that Slakoth has had its day, the next Pokémon Go Community Day takes place on July 21. The featured Pokémon for the event has been confirmed as Mudkip. While the exclusive move for the event is still to be confirmed, bonuses for the day will be 3x catch XP and 3 hour lures. 

Pokémon Go update: what's next?

Niantic hasn't revealed any more plans for what's coming next in Pokémon Go in terms of the big picture but there are always new creatures and new events happening in the game. Big reveals can happen at any time, though, and we'll report them right here if and when any announcement happens.

• Check out the best and weirdest Pokémon Go stories so far

Pokémon Go Plus deals

Want to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below.

(Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company)

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