The Pokémon GO LEGO Store event runs from August 3 through September 30, 2026, at participating stores in six countries. Visit an eligible LEGO Store and open Pokémon GO to unlock event Timed Research for a LEGO-branded avatar jacket. Stores also feature a Stamp Rally, Pikachu raids, stickers, and a limited physical SMART Play Tag.
This is an in-person event. You cannot unlock the store research or collect the LEGO Store stamps from home. The most important deadline is September 30 at 11:59 p.m. local time: finish the Timed Research and claim its rewards before then, because expired Timed Research cannot be completed later.
Pokémon GO LEGO event dates and countries
- Starts: August 3, 2026
- Ends: September 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time
- Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Poland, France, Germany, and Australia
- Where: participating LEGO Store locations
- Main digital reward: LEGO-branded avatar jacket from Timed Research
- Other features: Stamp Rally, Pikachu raids, event stickers, SMART Play demo, and limited physical tag
Use the official LEGO Store locator before traveling. Pokémon GO says the timing of in-store activities can vary by market, so check the local store page and its opening hours.
How to unlock the LEGO Timed Research
Go inside a participating LEGO Store during the event period, make sure location services are enabled, and open Pokémon GO. The official announcement says the store visit triggers event-themed Timed Research. It does not list a purchase requirement.
Once the research appears, open the Today view and check its expiration time. You do not need to complete every task before leaving the store unless a task specifically asks for a location action, but you must finish all tasks and claim every reward before September 30 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The confirmed final reward is a red LEGO-branded jacket for your avatar. Event stickers can also come from the Timed Research. Pokémon GO has not published the complete task list or every item reward on its announcement page, so do not plan around unconfirmed catches, Stardust, XP, or encounters.
How the LEGO Stamp Rally works
The Stamp Rally uses designated PokéStops and Gyms inside or near participating stores. Look for a stamp icon on the map. When you approach an eligible location, the game provides a stamp sheet. Spin the Photo Disc, then tap or hold the center of the stamp circle to place the stamp.
The ink effect changes depending on how long you press, but the design is cosmetic. Pokémon GO Support warns that a stamp cannot be redone or adjusted after it is placed. Your completed stamps remain visible on the Scrapbook page in your Trainer profile.
For this LEGO event, collecting the required stamps leads to Pikachu encounters with a Special Background. A Shiny Pikachu is possible, but Pokémon GO has not announced boosted Shiny odds. Do not assume that a Special Background encounter will also be Shiny.
The official Stamp Rally help page says nearby eligible PokéStops display a stamp icon. Some rallies also show locations through Campfire, but the LEGO announcement does not promise a complete global map.
Pikachu raids and Special Background encounters
One-star Pikachu raids appear more frequently at participating LEGO Store locations. Pokémon GO says the raid encounter may be Shiny or may have a Special Background if you are lucky. The wording does not guarantee either result, and no event-exclusive Shiny rate has been published.
If you are new to raids, the Pokémon GO raids guide explains passes, lobby preparation, teams, and remote participation. The special LEGO event itself is location-based, so being near the participating store remains important even if a raid lobby allows other joining methods.
Pikachu is only a one-star raid boss here, so most established accounts should be able to defeat it alone. Newer players can still invite friends, but there is no reason to spend heavily on a large raid team for this difficulty.
Event stickers, SMART Play demo, and physical tag
Spin PokéStops at LEGO Store locations and complete the Timed Research to receive event-themed stickers. The announcement does not provide a full sticker gallery or a guaranteed number per spin.
Stores in the event countries also host LEGO Pokémon SMART Play demo areas. Participants can receive a collectible SMART Play Tag and a stamp for a LEGO Passport. The tag is a physical giveaway, not a Pokémon GO item, and supplies are limited. Arriving at a store does not guarantee that stock remains.
The official Pokémon announcement connects the in-store event with LEGO Pokémon SMART Play sets. Buying a set is separate from unlocking the free Pokémon GO Timed Research.
How to find a participating LEGO Store
Start with the LEGO Store locator and select your country. Open the page for the nearest official store, confirm its hours, and look for a local event notice. The Pokémon GO announcement says participating locations are in the US, UK, Poland, France, Germany, and Australia; it does not include every country that has a LEGO Store.
If your nearest store is outside those six countries, do not assume the research will activate. Timing and availability can also differ between markets. Calling the store before a long trip is sensible, especially if you want the physical SMART Play Tag, which is available only while supplies last.
What to do if the Timed Research does not appear
- Confirm the store: make sure it is an official participating LEGO Store in one of the six listed countries.
- Move closer: the research is location-based, so stand inside the store or near its event area.
- Check location access: Pokémon GO needs accurate location permission to recognize the visit.
- Restart the app: close and reopen Pokémon GO after you reach the store.
- Check the Today view: the research may be present even if no large pop-up appeared.
- Ask about event timing: local activities may follow different schedules even within the August 3–September 30 period.
For a missing Stamp Rally icon, walk near the designated PokéStops or Gyms and check the Scrapbook section of your Trainer profile. Pokémon GO Support notes that the icon only appears when the feature is available in the designated area.
What to do before leaving the store
- Verify that the Timed Research is saved in your Today view.
- Spin every marked PokéStop or Gym needed for the Stamp Rally.
- Check for event stickers after spinning the store PokéStops.
- Look for the Pikachu raid if you want another chance at a Shiny or Special Background encounter.
- Ask whether SMART Play Tags remain before waiting for the demo.
The event is useful if a participating store is already nearby: the avatar jacket and Stamp Rally rewards do not have a listed purchase requirement. It is less sensible to make an expensive trip only for a limited physical tag that may be out of stock.
Keep the Pokémon GO August events page open for the rest of the month’s raids, Spotlight Hours, Community Day, and other limited events. The Pokémon GO game page and beginner guide cover the broader systems used during this store event.
