Niantic has announced a significant change to Pokémon GO’s Community Day events by doubling the price of the ticket, starting with the January 2025 event featuring the Grass-type Pokémon Sprigatito. This decision has not been well-received, as the Pokémon GO Community Day format has already been criticized for shorter durations and less enticing rewards, and now fans feel the higher ticket cost adds insult to injury.
An Eventful Start to 2025
Pokémon GO kicks off 2025 with a series of events, including the debut of Fidough, a highly anticipated addition to the game. However, the increased ticket price for the first Community Day of the year has overshadowed other announcements. The ticket, now priced at $2 compared to its previous $1 cost, was initially assumed to be a typo when details were revealed in December. But with the ticket now live in-game, it’s clear the price hike is intentional.
Fan Backlash Over Price Increase
The Community Day ticket for Sprigatito offers a few new features, including three encounters with Sprigatito that have Dual Destiny–themed Special Backgrounds. However, many players argue that these backgrounds do not justify the price increase. Fans typically purchase Community Day tickets to access exclusive rewards or increase their chances of obtaining high-IV Pokémon, but with Sprigatito’s final evolution, Meowscarada, being underwhelming in both PvP and PvE, interest in this ticket appears particularly low.
Timing and Value Criticized
Fans believe that January’s event is a poor choice for implementing this price change. Meowscarada is not a strong contender in the GO Battle League or raids, making it an unlikely draw for competitive players. The limited appeal of the Pokémon, combined with what many see as lackluster new features, has led to widespread criticism. Social media is buzzing with players announcing their intention to skip the event entirely, citing the ticket’s diminished value.
Conclusion
Niantic’s decision to increase the Pokémon GO Community Day ticket price has sparked controversy, with many players questioning the value of the event’s offerings. Whether this will impact participation rates remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Pokémon GO community is not thrilled with the direction this beloved monthly event is heading. For now, fans are voicing their frustrations, hoping Niantic will reconsider this new pricing strategy.
