Pokémon GO Summer Quest London 2026: Win a Trip to Japan

Pokémon GO is turning 10, and London is getting one of the biggest celebrations.

Across two weekends in August, Shoreditch will become home to the Pokémon GO Summer Quest. This is a free interactive experience that combines location-based gameplay, exclusive Timed Research, a complimentary coffee, and the chance to win a trip to Japan.

The event is centred around The Green at Boxpark Shoreditch, where you'll unlock special in-game research before exploring the neighbourhood to complete challenges. Whether you've been playing since Pokémon GO launched in 2016 or you're returning after a break, the Summer Quest offers a fun reason to get outside and explore one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.

The best part is that participation is completely free. All you need is the Pokémon GO app and a smartphone.

How the Pokémon GO Summer Quest works

The experience has been designed to be simple and flexible.

First, head to The Green at Boxpark Shoreditch and launch Pokémon GO while you're inside the designated event area. This activates the London-exclusive Timed Research.

Once unlocked, you'll begin a series of app-guided challenges that take you around Shoreditch. There is no guided tour, instead you'll explore the neighbourhood at your own pace while completing objectives inside the game.

After finishing the first stage of the research, return to the Pokémon GO coffee pop-up at Boxpark and show your completed progress to receive a complimentary coffee.

From there, you can continue the remaining research whenever it suits you, but you must first unlock it during one of the opening weekend events. After that, the rest of the challenges can be completed at any time before 31 August 2026.

Win a Trip to Japan through the quest

The Summer Quest also includes a nationwide competition with one particularly exciting prize.

Players aged 18 and over can enter to win:

• A trip to Japan.
• Tickets to Pokémon GO Fest Europe 2027.

Entering is straightforward.

Share a photo or video from your Summer Quest experience in Shoreditch or your Pokémon GO gameplay moments using #pokemongosummerquest. Make sure your Instagram account is public, and publish your post before 11:59 PM on 31 August 2026.

The competition is separate from the gameplay itself. Younger players can still complete the Summer Quest and claim the in-game rewards and complimentary coffee but are not eligible for the prize draw.

What happens if you can't make it to London?

The Shoreditch event is the headline celebration, but it's not the only way to take part.

Pokémon GO is also running a UK-wide Timed Research from 1 August 2026 at 10:00 AM until 9 August 2026 at 11:59 PM local time.

The nationwide version can be accessed from anywhere in the UK and lets you complete a separate set of in-game challenges without travelling to London.

The London edition, however, comes with a few exclusive extras. Only players who visit Shoreditch can unlock the location-specific Timed Research, complete the neighbourhood missions, and claim the complimentary coffee from the Pokémon GO pop-up.

If you're based in London or planning to be there during either weekend, it's worth making the trip.

Why Pokémon GO is celebrating 10 years this way

When Pokémon GO launched in July 2016, it changed the way people interacted with mobile games.

Instead of sitting indoors, millions of players headed outside to explore parks, streets and landmarks while catching Pokémon through augmented reality. Within days of launch, it had become one of the biggest mobile games ever created and introduced location-based gaming to a mainstream audience.

The Summer Quest celebrates that original idea.

Pokémon GO is marking its anniversary by getting you to explore a real neighbourhood. You complete challenges, meet other players, and discover places you may not usually visit.

It feels like a return to what made the game so popular in the first place.

How to get to the Pokémon GO Summer Quest

The event hub is located at The Green, Boxpark Shoreditch, Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6GY.

If you're travelling by public transport, Shoreditch High Street Station on the London Overground is by far the easiest option. The station is directly beside Boxpark, so you'll reach the event in under a minute.

Liverpool Street Station is another convenient choice and is around a 10-minute walk away.

Several London bus routes also stop nearby, making the venue easy to reach from most parts of the city.

If you're driving, keep in mind that parking around Shoreditch is limited and can be expensive, particularly during weekends. Public transport is the easier option.

Tips before you go

A little planning can make the experience much smoother:

• Unlock your Timed Research during one of the two London weekends. If you don't activate it then, you won't be able to access the London-exclusive missions later.
• If you want the complimentary coffee, complete the first stage of the research before 7:00 PM, as the coffee pop-up closes several hours before the in-game event ends.
• Make sure your phone is fully charged before you arrive. You'll be using GPS, mobile data and the Pokémon GO app throughout the experience, which can drain battery life more quickly than usual.
• If you're planning to enter the competition, remember to keep your Instagram account public and include #pokemongosummerquest in your post before the deadline.

Quick information at a glance

Event: Pokémon GO Summer Quest – 10th Anniversary
London Dates: 1–2 August and 8–9 August 2026
Location: The Green at Boxpark Shoreditch
App Hours: 10:00 AM to 11:59 PM
Coffee Pop-up: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Price: Free
Mission Deadline: 31 August 2026
Competition Prize: Trip to Japan and Pokémon GO Fest Europe 2027 tickets
Competition Age: 18+
Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street Overground
More Information: Visit Pokémon GO official website

If you've ever enjoyed exploring your city through Pokémon GO, this is exactly the kind of event the game was made for.