Pokémon GO celebrated its 10th anniversary [1] on July 9, 2026, with a massive live event and billboard takeover in Times Square.
The event marks a decade of the augmented reality game's influence on mobile gaming and community engagement. By recreating elements of its original launch trailer, the organizers aimed to fulfill long-standing promises to the player base while promoting current game development.
The celebration centered on a large-scale raid featuring Mega Mewtwo Y. Reports on the size of the gathering vary; some sources said the event attracted 1,500 trainers [2], while others described the crowd as consisting of hundreds of players [4]. The gathering transformed the heart of New York City into a digital battleground, blending the game's virtual elements with the physical environment of the U.S. city.
Kim Adams, vice president of game development for Pokémon GO at Scopely, said the event was a coordinated effort between Niantic, The Pokémon Company, and Scopely to engage the community through a high-visibility public spectacle.
In addition to the raid, the celebration included a takeover of Times Square billboards, projecting the game's imagery across the district [5]. This visual saturation served as both a tribute to the game's history and a marketing push for its future updates. The scale of the event reflects the enduring popularity of the title, which continues to draw significant crowds for live experiences 10 years after its debut.
“Pokémon GO celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 9, 2026, with a massive live event and billboard takeover in Times Square.”
The 10th-anniversary event demonstrates the longevity of the augmented reality gaming model. By leveraging a high-traffic physical location like Times Square to execute a massive in-game event, the developers are reinforcing the link between digital rewards and real-world social interaction, ensuring the game remains a cultural touchstone rather than a legacy app.
