LocationSpoofing event guide
TCG 30th Celebration: US store visits and research deadlines
Selected US retailers host Mega Gengar raids and Timed Research. Getting the research, claiming it and redeeming gift cards follow different dates.
Event window
Local-time event- Starts
- Ends
Times above use your in-game local clock. No timezone conversion is applied.
This is the overall event window. Check the schedule below for daily hours, overnight breaks and separate reward deadlines.
Event focus
Selected US retail locations host Mega Gengar raids and unlock TCG anniversary Timed Research. A separate gift-card offer provides an avatar hat.
Schedule
| Promotion | Local window |
|---|---|
| Retail gameplay and research collection | 27 September 2026, 10:00–20 October, 22:00 |
| Complete and claim acquired research | Before 20 November 2026, 22:00 |
| Eligible gift-card redemption | 27 September–31 October 2026; exact hours not stated |
Participating locations
The announcement names selected locations from:
- Best Buy
- GameStop
- Target
Not every branch is confirmed to participate. Gift cards bought through these retailers' stores or websites have separate eligibility from location-based gameplay.
Featured Pokémon and bonuses
Mega Gengar appears more frequently in Mega Raids at participating locations.
Shiny
A Shiny Gengar encounter is possible after a successful raid.
Research and rewards
| Route | How it works | Named rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Event Timed Research | Visit an eligible location and open Pokémon GO | Poké Balls, themed Pokémon encounters and other rewards |
| Gift-card promotion | Redeem a qualifying Pokémon GO gift card during its offer window | Gengar Knit Cap |
The research's task list and encounter species are not published. Buying a gift card is not stated as a requirement to obtain the location research.
Gift-card limits
The hat offer is limited to one per account. Accounts already owning it receive an alternative of equal value.
Preparation
Confirm the branch before travelling. Obtain the research by 20 October; its later task deadline does not extend the collection window.