Pokémon GO Trainer profiles will soon be able to display a buddy Pokémon’s background. The first GO Wild Area 2026 Location Backgrounds become available on November 6 at 10 a.m. local time, with more backgrounds following on November 9.
The update also introduces a way to join private Max Battle groups by code. Global event ticket holders will be able to choose between Steel- and Dragon-themed Special Research paths, with associated bonuses available for a limited time.
Profile backgrounds arrive in stages
Trainers will be able to show their buddy Pokémon’s Location Background or Special Background on their profile. The background will be visible to the profile owner and their contacts, according to the official announcement.
The GO Wild Area 2026 Location Backgrounds from Sendai and Mexico City become available on November 6 at 10 a.m. local time. The event’s Special Background and previously released Location Backgrounds follow on November 9 at 10 a.m. local time. Because the rollout uses each player’s local time, the feature will not unlock everywhere simultaneously.
Join a private Max Battle group with a code
In a Max Battle lobby, selecting “Battle” automatically places a player in a group. The “Private Group” option instead lets them join an existing group using its code, giving players a way to meet up with specific people.
Starting with the Into the Wild event, certain Adventure Effects can also be activated in Raid and Max Battle lobbies. Ticket holders for the Sendai and Mexico City events will receive early access to that feature.
Steel and Dragon research paths
The global event’s Special Research becomes available to ticket holders on November 14 at 10 a.m. local time. Its Steel- and Dragon-type paths have different medals and bonuses.
After earning the corresponding medal, a Trainer receives 1,000 Stardust for catching a Mighty Pokémon of that path’s type. Trainers at level 31 or above also receive an additional Candy XL. The medal bonuses expire on November 15 at 6 p.m. local time.
Trainers attending Sendai or Mexico City with an in-person event ticket can try to earn both medals by completing their event’s Special Research. Their associated bonuses last until the end of the global festivities.
GO Pass rewards and Pokémon HOME transfers
The GO Pass: Wild at Heart and its deluxe version run from November 9 at 10 a.m. to November 15 at 6 p.m. local time. The purple GO Wild Area 2026 T-shirt is a free reward; the Duraludon Pants are tied to purchasing the deluxe pass. Rewards can be earned until November 17 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
Pokémon caught in GO Safari Balls can now be transferred to Pokémon HOME. Their Balls appear there as Strange Balls.
See also the Pokémon GO game page.
