Pokémon Go teams up with European Space Agency for museum event

Pokémon Go is partnering with the European Space Agency for a space-themed event across Europe from October 4th 2026 to April 30th 2027. The collaboration brings Astronaut Pikachu to participating museums and ESA locations, offering trainers a chance to encounter the special form during raids and field research activities.

Six museums are hosting the main event: the Science Museum in London, Cité de l'espace in Toulouse, Deutsches Museum in Nuremberg, Museu de les Ciències in València, Space Expo in Noordwijk and Euro Space Centre in Transinne. At these locations, Astronaut Pikachu appears in one-star raids and trainers can catch it with a special Location Background. Shiny versions are also possible.

From October 4th to October 10th, the museums will offer event-themed Field Research with increased wild encounters for space-related Pokémon including Pikachu, Clefairy, Magnemite, Starmie, Lunatone, Solrock, Elgyem and Blipbug. Timed Research will remain available at participating museums throughout the full event period.

Seven ESA locations across Europe will also participate from October 4th to October 10th with the same gameplay, excluding the special Location Backgrounds available at museums. The partnership follows similar gaming collaborations with space agencies, including Rovio's 2012 Angry Birds Space project with NASA.