After five years at level 50, Pokémon GO is officially increasing its level cap to 80. This marks the biggest progression change since the 2020 GO Beyond update, which originally raised the cap from 40 to 50 and introduced special level-up tasks. Now, Trainers worldwide will once again have a new milestone to chase.
From Level 40 to 80 – A New Journey
When Pokémon GO first launched in 2016, the level cap was 40 and could be achieved by simply grinding XP. That changed in 2020 with the GO Beyond update, when Niantic added special challenges for levels 41 through 50, making progression more skill-based than ever.
On October 15, 2025, Pokémon GO will raise the maximum level to 80, while also rebalancing the level curve. This means players will level up faster on the road to 80, as XP requirements are being adjusted. The existing Level-Up Research tasks for 41 to 50 will be removed, and new tasks will instead appear for levels 71 through 80.
New Rewards and Progression Tweaks
The update introduces fresh rewards for leveling, including expanded Pokémon storage capacity. Importantly, no Trainer will lose their current level due to the rebalance — instead, some high-XP players may even jump ahead in levels automatically.
Those who already reached level 50 won’t be left behind. By October 14 at 11:59 PM local time, Niantic will award medals commemorating each player’s highest level achieved between 1 and 50. Level 50 Trainers will also receive exclusive rewards:
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A Level 50 Jacket
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A special avatar pose
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Permanent bragging rights as some of the first to reach the previous cap
XP Celebration Event
To prepare players for the new leveling system, Niantic is hosting an XP Celebration event from August 25 at 1:00 PM PT until October 14 at 11:59 PM local time. During this event, players can enjoy:
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2× Catch XP for Nice, Great, and Excellent Throws
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3,000 XP for winning Raids
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3,000 XP for winning Max Battles
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Special Timed Research for Trainers level 5+ offering up to 7 million XP
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Adjusted requirements for level-up tasks, such as reducing the level 47 task of walking 25 km in a week eight times down to just two times
The Biggest Update Since GO Beyond
With this new cap of level 80, Pokémon GO is entering a new era of progression. Niantic’s decision ensures that dedicated players always have something to strive for, while rewarding veterans who already climbed to the top.
For Trainers old and new, October 15 will be a major turning point in Pokémon GO history.