Pokémon GO has officially confirmed that Piplup will headline the game’s first Community Day Classic event of 2026. The popular Sinnoh-region starter will take center stage on January 4, 2026, offering players another chance to catch large numbers of Piplup and hunt for its shiny variant.
Community Day Classic events revisit previously featured Pokémon, giving both new and returning players access to exclusive bonuses, moves, and increased shiny odds within a limited time window.
Event Date and Time
The Piplup Community Day Classic will take place on:
- Date: January 4, 2026
- Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (local time)
As with other Community Day events, the bonuses will be active only during this three-hour period.
Event Bonuses and Features
During the event, Piplup will appear far more frequently in the wild, with a significantly increased chance of encountering a Shiny Piplup. Players can also expect several gameplay bonuses designed to encourage extended play.
Confirmed Bonuses
- Increased Piplup spawn rates
- Boosted shiny encounter rates
- Event-exclusive Field Research tasks
- Reduced Egg Hatch Distance to 25%
- Incense duration increased to 3 hours (excluding Daily Adventure Incense)
- Lure Modules lasting 1 hour
Field Research rewards will include items such as Stardust, Great Balls, and additional Piplup encounters.
Exclusive Move for Empoleon
Players who evolve Piplup into Prinplup and then into Empoleon during the event will receive an Empoleon that knows the exclusive Charged Attack Hydro Cannon.
Hydro Cannon is one of the strongest Water-type Charged Attacks in the game, making this event especially valuable for players interested in PvP battles, raids, or future team-building.
January 2026 Brings Two Community Day Events
The Piplup Community Day Classic is not the only major event planned for January. Pokémon GO has also confirmed a standard Community Day later in the month.
- January 18, 2026: Grookey Community Day
Grookey, the Generation 8 Grass-type starter, will feature boosted spawns and shiny rates, with its final evolution Rillaboom able to learn the exclusive move Drum Beating when evolved during the event.
A Strong Start to 2026 for Pokémon GO
Following a busy end to 2025 that included a year-end Community Day recap and new social features, Pokémon GO is entering 2026 with a packed event schedule. With fan-favorite starter Pokémon like Piplup and Grookey featured early in the year, players have plenty of incentives to stay active.
As more updates and events are revealed, January’s Community Days are shaping up to be a strong opening chapter for Pokémon GO in 2026.
