Pokémon Go Tour 2026: What It’s Really Like (Merch, Prices & Atmosphere)

When my friends suggested I travel to Los Angeles for Pokémon GO Tour, I hesitated at first. Would it just be a kids’ event packed with little children? It turned out I was completely wrong.

Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos in Los Angeles is a massive social festival that took place from February 20th to 22nd, where adult fans fly in from all over the world to spend a weekend in California, catch rare Pokémon, and connect with like-minded players.

Here’s my honest breakdown of what the event is really like, how much it costs, what you can see there, and whether it’s worth the money.

Tickets and Add-Ons: How Much Does It Cost?

Let’s start with the most important question — the price. A standard one-day ticket costs $30 (if you purchased before December 31, you could grab an early bird ticket for $25). This gives you access to the event at Rose Bowl Stadium from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time.
But that’s not the end of your expenses if you want to get the most out of the event.

Raid Lover ($15) — perfect for players who love raiding. It grants up to 18 free raid passes per day, an additional 5,000 XP per raid, and extra candy for catches in Mega Raids.
Egg-thusiast ($15) — designed for players focused on hatching eggs. It reduces egg incubation distance by four times (does not stack with other bonuses) and triples XP, candy, and Stardust from hatching.
Citywide Gameplay Add-On — expands the experience to an additional day (or multiple days) across Los Angeles. You can catch event Pokémon citywide, make up to six special trades per day with reduced Stardust cost, receive up to nine raid passes, and complete Field Research — but without stadium access.

I purchased the standard ticket plus Raid Lover because I wanted to grind as many raids as possible. In total, I spent $45 for one full day of gameplay.

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Merchandise: What You Can Buy On-Site

The official merchandise store was open all three days. This year, Niantic (and it may have been like this before) introduced a pre-order redemption system, allowing attendees to pre-order items online in advance and simply pick them up on site. This proved to be a lifesaver, as the lines to the store were incredibly long.

The selection included:

• Tournament logo T-shirts
• Kalos region Pokémon enamel pins
• Hoodies — perfect for cooler evenings
• Tote bags for carrying essentials

Prices were not listed directly on the official site, but based on previous tours, T-shirts were around $25–30, hoodies $50–60, and pins $10–15. Quantities are limited, so if you want something specific, order it together with your ticket.

I bought a hoodie and a few pins. The quality is solid, the design looks clean, and it’s a great reminder of the trip.

Atmosphere and Overall Experience: Why It’s More Than Just a Game

Rose Bowl Stadium is iconic. When you walk in and see hundreds of trainers from around the world all focused on the same activity, you truly feel part of something huge.

The event is divided into three habitats (zones): Central Village, Mountain Manor, and Coastal Laboratory. Each zone features its own unique Pokémon that spawn on a rotating schedule. You choose which habitat to start with, but you can visit all three throughout the day. There is a stadium map available to help you navigate.

Outside of Rose Bowl, if you purchased the Citywide Gameplay Add-On, you could continue playing across Los Angeles and catch event Pokémon, except for a few exclusives available only within the stadium grounds.

What Surprised Me:

• The age diversity. I saw college students and plenty of players in their 30s and older who came in groups or families (mostly without young children). Most attendees were long-time fans who have been playing since 2016 and never miss these events.
• The international community. I heard conversations in Spanish, French, and Japanese. People were exchanging friend codes, trading, and gathering for Mega Raids together. The atmosphere was welcoming and friendly.
• Exclusive Pokémon. Shiny Honedge, Hawlucha, and Klefki debuted at this event, and the shiny odds were noticeably boosted compared to normal gameplay. I hatched a shiny Klefki from a 10 km egg — that was a highlight.
• Mega Night. For the first time at a tour, there was an evening add-on event after the main day — Mega Night. It required a separate ticket and featured unique gameplay, entertainment, and a distinct vibe. I skipped it because I needed rest after eight hours of nonstop play, but those who attended said it was worth it.

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Gameplay: What You Can Catch and Do

The main feature of the tour is the three rotating habitats throughout the day. Each one features different Pokémon from the Kalos region.

• Central Village: Chespin, Bunnelby, Fletchling, Skiddo, Furfrou, Spritzee, Swirlix, Helioptile, Dedenne, Noibat, plus rare White Flower and Orange Flower Flabébé.
• Coastal Laboratory: Froakie, Inkay, Binacle, Skrelp, Clauncher, Tyrunt, Amaura, Goomy, and other water and research-themed Pokémon.
• Mountain Manor: Fennekin, Litleo, Pancham, Espurr, Carbink, Phantump, Pumpkaboo, Bergmite — mountain and mystical species.

Additionally, you could catch cosplay Pikachu wearing Calem and Serena hats (I caught both, but no shiny).

Raids and Eggs

• 1-Star Raids: Honedge (shiny possible)
• 5-Star Raids: Xerneas and Yveltal
• Mega Raids: Mega Gyarados, Mega Gardevoir, Mega Absol, Mega Lucario
• Super Mega Raids: Mega Victreebel and Mega Malamar (debut)

I participated in several Mega Raids and caught Mega Lucario. The Raid Lover bonus paid off — 18 free raid passes allowed me to join nearly every raid I encountered.

Eggs featured rare regional Pokémon: Kangaskhan, Heracross, Hawlucha, and Klefki (from 2 km and 10 km eggs).

Special Research and Masterwork Research

Your ticket included exclusive Special Research where you chose between X Version (reward: Xerneas with a special background) or Y Version (reward: Yveltal). I selected X Version and received Xerneas with a Rose Bowl Stadium location background — a unique souvenir.

There was also access to Masterwork Research: Sparkle and Shine, which leads to an encounter with Shiny Diancie. This is a long-term research line with no deadline, so you can complete it at your own pace.

Furfrou Spa Day

The most creative task was the Timed Research focused on Furfrou. Around the stadium, PokéStops displayed different Furfrou trims (Star, Diamond, La Reine, Kabuki, Pharaoh, Heart). You had to find each PokéStop, spin it, and change your Furfrou into the matching trim (cost: 25 candy and 10,000 Stardust per change).

I managed to collect all six trims and received multiple Furfrou from research rewards. It felt like a real-world scavenger hunt — searching for PokéStops, navigating the map, and coordinating with other players hunting the same trims.

Routes and Zygarde

Across Los Angeles (outside the stadium), players could complete official Routes and collect Zygarde Cells — up to 25 routes per day. At the end of each route, you meet NPC Mateo. White Flower, Orange Flower, and Yellow Flower Flabébé also appeared more frequently along routes.

On my second day (with the Citywide Add-On), I completed several routes and collected a solid number of Zygarde Cells. It’s a great way to explore the city while continuing to play.

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Is It Worth It? My Final Thoughts

Yes, absolutely — if:

• You are a Pokémon GO fan who wants exclusive Pokémon
• You enjoy traveling and exploring new cities
• You want to meet players from around the world
• You are prepared to spend $50–70 on tickets and add-ons (plus travel, lodging, and food)

Pokémon GO Tour is not just gameplay — it’s a social experience. You spend the day outdoors, connect with people who share your passion, catch rare Pokémon, and earn rewards that are impossible to obtain in regular gameplay. Plus, there’s cool merch like hoodies and badges to commemorate the trip.

For me, it was one of the best gaming weekends I’ve ever had. If you have the chance, go for it. You won’t regret it.

Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos – Global 2026: What’s New and Why You Should Book Tickets Now

If you missed the in-person Los Angeles event, don’t worry — the global Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos 2026 will also be available online. This worldwide event connects millions of trainers and offers unique rewards regardless of your region.

Major highlights and features:

• Shiny Diancie Debut: Ticket holders get Masterwork Research to hunt this ultra-rare legend.
• Epic Music: A soundtrack by Junichi Masuda, inspired by Pokémon X and Y.
• Xerneas vs. Yveltal: Choose your path in the Special Research to get a Pokémon with a special background.
• Cosplay Pikachu: Calem and Serena hat versions are back for collectors.
• New Shiny Debuts: Honedge, Hawlucha, and Klefki make their worldwide shiny debut.
• Mega Raids: Mega Victreebel and Mega Malamar appear for the first time globally, along with Mega Dragonite for classic fans.
• Regional Flabébé: Different colors appear on routes in specific regions (Red in Europe, Blue in Asia, Yellow in the Americas).
• Unown Spawns: Letters A, K, L, O, and S are attracted to Incense.
• Special Backgrounds: Raid Pokémon can feature unique backgrounds themed after Pokémon X, Y, and Mega Evolution.

Tickets, Prices, and Bonuses:

• Global event tickets are available through the official store.
• Online ticket prices are typically around $15 (check the official site), making it significantly more affordable than traveling to a live event.
• Ticket holders receive boosted shiny rates and GO Snapshot surprises: Latias appears on Saturday, Latios on Sunday.
• Access to Special Research (X or Y Version) for Xerneas or Yveltal with exclusive backgrounds.
• Additional rewards through Timed Research, including Furfrou encounters.

Interesting Facts:

• The event is inspired by the Kalos region from Pokémon X and Pokémon Y (Nintendo 3DS).
• If you attended Taiwan or Los Angeles in person, you can still participate in the Global Tour and earn additional unique rewards.
• This is one of the few events where you can catch multiple shiny debuts and complete complex, story-driven research lines.

Why You Should Not Wait:

• Tickets sell out quickly due to high global demand.
  Buying early gives you time to prepare, organize a group of friends, and plan your gameplay weekend.
• If you have ever dreamed of participating in an event like this, 2026 is your chance to join a worldwide Pokémon adventure. Do not delay your ticket purchase — a true race for rare Pokémon and exclusive rewards is coming soon.

Trainer’s Travel Hacks: Saving Big with Groupon and CityPASS

Traveling to Los Angeles for the Pokémon GO Tour doesn’t have to drain your wallet. Since you’re already in the “City of Angels,” you can use a few savvy shopping strategies to make the most of your trip.

Maximize Your Sightseeing with Southern California CityPASS

If you have the Citywide Gameplay Add-on, you’ll be hitting the streets of LA and Southern California anyway. Instead of paying full price at every stop, grab a CityPASS. It’s the ultimate tool for trainers who want to see it all:

• Theme Park Savings: If you’re staying a few extra days, CityPASS offers significant discounts on tickets to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and Universal Studios Hollywood.
• Multi-Attraction Bundles: You can save up to 35% or more on combined admission to the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld San Diego, and Legoland California.
• Flexibility: The pass is valid for 9 consecutive days, which is perfect if you want to play the Tour over the weekend and hit the parks during the week.

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Score Local Deals with Groupon

While CityPASS covers the “big” attractions, Groupon is your go-to for daily expenses and local flavor:

• Dining Near the Stadium: Search for “Pasadena Food & Drink” deals. You can often find 20–50% off at local cafes and restaurants, which is a lifesaver after a long day of raiding.
• Post-Tour Recovery: After walking 20,000+ steps at the Rose Bowl, your legs will be exhausted. Look for Groupon deals on massages or spa treatments in the LA area to recover before your flight home.
• Hidden Gems: Use it to find discounted tickets for niche activities like swan boat rentals at Echo Park Lake or Hollywood celebrity home tours to fill the gaps between your Pokémon spawns.

Pro Tip for Supermall Readers: Always check the “Fine Print” on your Groupon vouchers to ensure they aren’t blacked out during major event weekends. By combining a CityPASS with targeted Groupon deals, you can easily save enough to cover the cost of your Pokémon GO Tour ticket and that exclusive hoodie!