Golden PokéStops revert to blue, dampening Gimmighoul excitement during festivities
The Pokémon GO 9th Anniversary Party kicked off on July 1, bringing a host of bonuses, costumed Pokémon, and long-awaited features for players to enjoy. But a significant bug affecting Golden PokéStops has sparked frustration among fans, as the glitch interferes with collecting critical event rewards tied to the debut of shiny Gimmighoul.
A highly anticipated celebration
The anniversary event marks nine years of Pokémon GO and has been met with plenty of excitement. Players can encounter new costumed Pokémon, complete anniversary-themed Field and Timed Research, and even catch shiny Gimmighoul — the 999th entry in the Pokédex. One of the standout features of the event is that certain PokéStops can turn gold in the wild without needing a Golden Lure Module, giving players more opportunities to earn Gimmighoul Coins, which are essential for evolving the elusive Pokémon.
Players report PokéStops turning back to blue
However, players quickly noticed a frustrating issue: Golden PokéStops would revert to blue as soon as they approached them. Reports flooded Pokémon GO’s subreddit, where players shared their disappointment at missing out on Gimmighoul Coins despite actively seeking out Golden PokéStops. One player noted, “I found 7 or 8 Golden Stops, and all except one despawned when I reached it. Very disappointing as I went out of my way to go downtown after work to see if I could get some.” Another added, “Wasted my whole lunch break thinking it was just me.”
For many, this glitch dampened the experience of what should have been a festive and rewarding event.
Developer response: A visual-only bug under investigation
Niantic, the developers of Pokémon GO, acknowledged the issue soon after reports emerged. A notice on the official Help Center titled “Golden PokéStops turn blue before spinning” describes the problem as a purely visual bug. According to the post, the issue “does not affect your ability to collect Gimmighoul Coins” despite appearances. The status of the investigation is ongoing.
For players eager to evolve Gimmighoul during the anniversary, reassurance that coins are still being collected is welcome — though many have voiced that the bug has still negatively impacted the excitement of seeing Golden PokéStops in the wild.
What’s next in Pokémon GO’s busy July
The 9th anniversary event runs alongside several other major happenings in July. The month features two Community Days — one for Quaxly and another for Eevee — and the debut of Hisuian Zorua during the Ultra Unlock: Hisui Celebration event on July 8.
While the Golden PokéStop bug has frustrated some, the developers’ prompt acknowledgment suggests a fix may be on the way. In the meantime, players are encouraged to continue spinning PokéStops, as the underlying coin rewards should still be awarded despite the visual glitch.
