Pokémon GO is celebrating its 10th anniversary by teaming up with the National Trust in a new initiative designed to encourage players to explore some of the UK’s most historic and scenic locations.
The collaboration introduces special in-game features at more than 140 National Trust sites, giving players fresh opportunities to discover PokéStops, Gyms and custom walking routes while experiencing heritage destinations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Special Events Planned at Dozens of Historic Sites
As part of the anniversary celebrations, themed Pokémon GO activities will be held at 27 National Trust properties during the first two weekends of August.
Among the participating venues are Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire, Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire, Mount Stewart in County Down and Tredegar House in Newport, where visitors can combine sightseeing with in-game challenges and rewards.
The initiative aims to encourage players to spend more time outdoors while exploring landmarks that might otherwise be overlooked.
Summer Quest Brings Competitive Action to London
Alongside the National Trust partnership, London will host the Pokémon GO Summer Quest, a large-scale city event centered around Shoreditch.
The competition will feature well-known online personalities Miniminter from the Sidemen and Chunkz from Beta Squad, who will face off in a live city-wide challenge.
Fans attending the event will be able to follow the competition in person while enjoying exclusive activities linked to the game.
The Summer Quest will take place over the weekends of August 1–2 and August 8–9.
Exciting Travel Prizes Up for Grabs
Participants attending the Shoreditch events will have the chance to compete for a grand prize of a trip for two to Japan.
Players unable to attend in person won’t be left out.
Pokémon GO is also launching nationwide experiences that include a separate prize draw, with winners receiving a trip for two to the European edition of Pokémon GO Fest 2027.
The dual approach ensures fans across the country can join the anniversary celebrations regardless of location.
A Decade of Record-Breaking Success
Since its launch in July 2016, Pokémon GO has grown into one of the world’s most successful mobile games.
According to anniversary figures, more than 800 million people have played the game globally, collectively walking a distance equivalent to roughly 334 round trips between Earth and the Sun.
During that time, players have captured an astonishing one trillion Pokémon.
The game also remained commercially strong, generating around $1 billion in revenue during 2025 and maintaining its position among the world’s top 10 mobile games every year since its release.
Developers Credit Global Community for Long-Term Popularity
Ed Wu, president of games at publisher Scopely, said the game’s greatest achievement has been the worldwide community that has formed around it over the past decade.
He explained that Pokémon GO has evolved from a simple exploration game into an experience that brings together players from different countries and cultures through local gatherings and large international events.
Wu added that the development team remains committed to expanding the game by creating more opportunities for exploration, social interaction and real-world discovery.
Anniversary Celebrations Continue Around the World
The UK events follow a major international celebration held in New York City’s Times Square on July 9, where more than 1,000 Trainers gathered for a live Mega Mewtwo Raid Battle.
The event also featured a surprise performance by electronic dance duo Loud Luxury, helping kick off a series of global celebrations marking Pokémon GO’s milestone anniversary.
With fresh partnerships, exclusive rewards and new community events, the iconic augmented reality game is hoping to inspire another generation of players to continue exploring the world—one Pokémon at a time.
