The European Space Agency’s partnership with Pokémon GO is an exclusive event that is sure to thrill fans across Europe. In a groundbreaking partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Pokémon GO is launching a special celebration of space exploration, science, and catching your favorite Pokémon in iconic locations.
Whether you are a space enthusiast or a dedicated collector hunting for rare variants, this event brings a stellar lineup of gameplay features, exclusive rewards, and rare encounters. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming Pokémon GO and European Space Agency collaboration.
European Space Agency Event Dates and Overview
The cosmic celebration officially kicks off on Sunday, October 4, 2026. While certain gameplay elements and wild encounters have specific end dates, the main museum experience will run all the way through April 30, 2027, giving Trainers plenty of time to plan a visit.
The collaboration is split across two primary types of locations: participating science and space museums, and official ESA facilities across Europe.
READ: The Complete List of October 2026 Pokémon GO Events
European Space Agency Participating Science and Space Museums
From Sunday, October 4, 2026, to Friday, April 30, 2027, Trainers visiting participating science and space museums can discover special Pokémon GO gameplay inspired by the wonders of science and the cosmos.
The official list of participating museums includes:
- Science Museum – London, England
- Cité de l’espace – Toulouse, France
- Deutsches Museum – Nuremberg, Germany
- Museu de les Ciències – València, Spain
- Space Expo – Noordwijk, Netherlands
- Euro Space Center – Transinne, Belgium
Visiting any of these incredible institutions during the event window unlocks unique in-person features you won’t want to miss.
Star of the European Space Agency Event: Astronaut Pikachu Raids
What is a special Pokémon GO event without a brand-new, costumed variant? Making its debut for this celebration is Astronaut Pikachu!
Astronaut Pikachu will be appearing in one-star raids exclusively at the participating science and space museums listed above. Trainers who successfully complete these in-person raids will earn the opportunity to catch Astronaut Pikachu. Even better, lucky Trainers might encounter a Shiny Astronaut Pikachu!
As a special memento of your journey, any Astronaut Pikachu caught through these museum raids will feature a special Location Background commemorating your visit to the science or space center.
Timed Research and Field Research
To keep your exploration engaging, the event features both Timed Research and Field Research opportunities.
Timed Research
Explore any of the participating museums anytime between Sunday, October 4, 2026, and Friday, April 30, 2027, to unlock exciting Timed Research. Completing these research tasks will grant you valuable rewards and encounters with event-themed Pokémon. Keep an eye out, as some of the Pokémon encountered through this Timed Research may also come with a special Location Background!
Field Research
For a limited time, from Sunday, October 4 to Saturday, October 10, 2026, Trainers can spin PokéStops at the participating museums to receive event-themed Field Research tasks. Completing these tasks will reward you with items and encounters with event-themed Pokémon.
Wild Encounters and Cosmic Spawns
If you are looking to catch event-themed Pokémon in the wild, you will want to head out early. From October 4 to October 10, 2026, a stellar lineup of space-themed and celestial Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild around the participating museum locations: Pikachu, Clefairy, Magnemite, Starmie, Lunatone, Solrock, Elgyem (Shiny available), and Blipbug
Official ESA Facility Locations
In addition to the public museums, Scopely Explore is bringing the celebration directly to the professionals who explore the cosmos every day. From October 4 to October 10, 2026, all of the gameplay mentioned above (excluding Location Backgrounds) will be active at official ESA locations across Europe:
- ESA HQ – Paris, France
- ESA ESRIN – Frascati (close to Rome), Italy
- ESA ESOC – Darmstadt, Germany
- ESA ESAC – Villanueva de la Cañada (close to Madrid), Spain
- ESA ESTEC – Noordwijk, Netherlands
- ESA ESEC – Redu (close to Belgium)
- ESA ECSAT – Harwell, United Kingdom
Note: While Location Backgrounds are exclusive to the museum raid experiences, all wild spawns, research tasks, and raid features will be accessible at these corporate and scientific facilities during the October window.
Tips for Trainers on a Mission
As you prepare to embark on your space-faring Pokémon journey, keep a few quick tips in mind to ensure a smooth adventure:
- Plan Ahead: Check museum opening hours, ticket requirements, and exhibition schedules before traveling to London, Toulouse, Nuremberg, València, Noordwijk, or Transinne.
- Play Safely: Always be aware of your surroundings, watch out for foot traffic in busy science centers, and follow guidelines from local health authorities.
This collaboration is a fantastic bridge between real-world scientific discovery and mobile gaming. Whether you are catching an Astronaut Pikachu under the rockets of Toulouse or spinning PokéStops outside the Science Museum in London, it is bound to be an unforgettable adventure.
Good luck out there, Trainers—may your catches be stellar and your shinies plentiful!
For the official European Space Agency event partnership, check out the Pokémon GO official website.
