The day that every Pokémon fan from India anticipated for years finally arrived. The country got its first major in-person Pokémon GO event, and trainers flocked from various parts of India and around the world to join the fun and frolic.
For me, it was extra special considering that I not only got to attend the event but also represent Pokémon GO Hub as a crew member! But the icing on the cake was the fact that I got to hop into a team comprising beloved content creators like ZoëTwoDots, Poké Daxi, The Trainer Club, Yuri Kitiyama, and a couple of Niantic officials!
I was elated and on March 28, 2025, I landed in Mumbai, all set to take on the event the next day. There was nervousness with it being my first event ever and having media responsibilities to meet. However, my excitement surely exceeded all other feelings, and I dozed off late in the night even though I had to be up early.
Day 1 of City Safari Mumbai was here! I’d only grabbed a few hours of sleep but the thrill was palpable. I proudly donned my GO Hub tee, bagged my charged mobile, power bank, wireless mic, and camera stand. And yes, events like this make water and sunscreen mandatory. Never forget those two, folks!
After a hearty breakfast, I reached the lobby and met the entire team, and the vibe was infectious! We got our official ID as media, a City Safari Mumbai-themed tee, and a bunch of Pokémon goodies. I was screaming in joy internally but had to maintain my composure otherwise.
Once our cars were ready, we were driven to the signature place of Mumbai, which also pops up as a background for Eeevee wearing an explorer hat: The iconic Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. By this time, it was 10 AM IST, and the event began, throwing in a flurry of exciting spawns.
The Gateway of India overlooked the mighty Arabian Sea, and naturally, countless ferries and seagulls graved the sight. There was an energy in the air and it set the tone for the rest of the day!
We clicked plenty of pictures and just as we were leaving the picturesque location, I got my first shiny! It was none other than the elusive shiny Unown I! I punched the air and was glad my event kicked off on a great note.
We soon headed to our next location, and it was another legendary landmark of the city: The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai’s premier railway station and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
We turned into our selfie-savvy selves as everyone clicked pictures of each other and the breathtaking architecture in sight.
Next up was the Marine Drive, the infamous beach road beside the sea. We could see a group of trainers playing the game and after saying hello, we took a short walk to take in the view. We also saw the Mumbai Indians logo floating proudly off-shore, a top team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament.
The heat was on and after getting our hydration levels up with a slew of water bottles, we reached Shivaji Park where there was a rendezvous with communities from different parts of India. I also caught sight of some players who I knew.
Everyone met and clicked selfies with the content creators, and Yuri even met a trainer from Pune who has plushies of the fan-favorite Saree and Kurta Pikachu!
We then headed to lunch and after a delicious meal, we took some moments of rest and hit the ground zero of City Safari Mumbai: Phoenix Palladium Mall.
The turnout was jaw-dropping, and the stage was set for a grand Pokémon spectacle. Trainers again got the opportunity to meet the content creators who signed autographs, posed for selfies, and joined the stage to greet the audience.
Amidst the celebrations, I spotted Pokémon plushies being sold in location. I rushed to the spot and immediately brought Jigglypuff and Bulbasaur! They were super adorable and an ideal gift for my wife as well, whose favorite Pokémon is Jigglypuff!
With my new plushies packed, I joined a Saree Pikachu Raid which obviously took seconds to finish, given the number of battlers. And to my surprise, the Saree Pikachu was a Hundo! My perfect Saree Pika… yes!
Starting with a shiny Unown I to a 100 IV Saree Pikachu, the day was perfect! We were soon back to our hotel and after a sumptuous dinner, I crashed on my bed.
Over to Day 2! I’d slept well and felt more confident about covering the day. This day (March 29, 2025) marked the Gudi Padwa festival, the start of the lunisolar new year for people in Maharashtra, the state where Mumbai is located.
After soaking in the music, dance, and celebrations, we were ready to meet the Mumbai Pokémon GO Community near the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, the city’s central library. I also learned that the Starbucks in this area was the first of its kind in India!
After more rounds of autographs, pictures, and trading, we took some group pictures and screamed “Pokémon GO” at the top of our lungs.
Right here, I caught the Pokémon of the hour: shiny Mudbray! I was ecstatic and in no time, I also bagged a shiny Crabrawler. But equally good as shinies, I traded to get an explorer hat Eevee with the Mexico background and Hawlucha added to my collection. Trading Pokémon from 2018, both these turned out Lucky!
Moreover, I finally got the shiny Eevee with explorer hat, complemented by the unique City Safari Mumbai background. I was beyond elated!
This sequence of events made up for the day’s humid weather.
While the humidity on Day 2 was higher than Day 1, there was never a dull moment! Everyone’s spirits were up and to refuel, we had a traditional South Indian lunch. South India also ushered in the spring new year celebrations with their own festival, Ugadi. The meal commemorated the occasions, and everyone gorged to their heart’s content!
And finally, it was back to Pheonix Palladium! Just like Day 1, the crowd didn’t disappoint and people had a catch-up with the team while also enjoying musical and dance performances by Pikachu! The vibe was buzzing and players couldn’t get enough of it. I even met an old friend of mine who made it all the way to Palladium from Andheri (18km!) to have a chat and exchange some gifts.
The stage was lit, with attendees loving every bit of the show put on by the Pokémon crew in India. You had to be there to experience the fun and frolic, it was truly special!
The sun set and soon, it was time to get back to my hotel to rest, freshen up, and ponder on the two magical days. I grabbed a bite, put on some comfy clothes while laying my power bank, mic, and other equipment for a well-deserved packup.
I took a stroll, tried some local cuisine for dinner, and packed a majority of my luggage for the trip back home the next day.
City Safari Mumbai beckoned Trainers from different corners of India, and the passionate Community Leaders from these places marked their attendance with enthusiasm filled to the brim! A bunch of them shared some words highlighting their adventures, and here are the excerpts:
Dhruv Shah from Mumbai, Maharashtra
Where to begin with, City Safari Mumbai to say the very least exhibited the passion of every Indian trainer. From players hailing all across the country nay the globe coming together to celebrate this marvelous gathering.
This was an experience unparalleled to any other that consisted layers of real life and in-game experiences.
The adrenaline rush is surging like never before – from us meeting our favourite creators to electric Pikachu dances to life-sized gym to Mumbai background Eevee to Mudbray debut to raiding our very own Saree and Kurta Pikachu.
Dashing around the bustling streets of Kala Ghoda, timeless architecture of Gateway or soaking in the serenity of Marine Drive and catching our favourite Pokémons felt like a dream come true.
Looking forward to attending more such events in India.
Naveen Raju from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
As the Community Leader of Vizag, attending India’s biggest Pokémon GO gathering was an unforgettable experience! My gang and I explored every corner, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems, making lifelong memories. The energy was unreal—thrilling raids, exciting encounters, and meeting trainers from all over. And the food? Vada pav was a must! We soaked in every moment, and it truly brought the community closer. Can’t wait to do it all over again at the next event!
Swayam Chakraborty from Kolkata, West Bengal
As a Pokémon GO community leader, I had the incredible opportunity to travel 1,600 km from Kolkata, West Bengal, to Mumbai to participate in the City Safari event at Phoenix Mall. The excitement of the journey was nothing compared to the energy that awaited me at the event. Hundreds of trainers had gathered to celebrate their shared love for Pokémon, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with adventure and teamwork.
One of the biggest highlights of the event was the exclusive appearance of Saree Pikachu and Kurta Pikachu. These two adorable mascots were the heart of the event. Watching them dance and pose for photos was an absolute delight. They beautifully represented the blend of Pokémon and Indian culture, making them a huge attraction for both fans and casual attendees.
The event was packed with activities that kept trainers engaged throughout the day. One of the most exciting elements was the Stamp Corners, where players had to collect three stamps in total! Collecting all the stamps led to exciting rewards, making it a fun and interactive way to explore the event space.
A major highlight was the Pokémon GO freebies! The organizers had gone all out to make the experience special, offering exclusive stickers and event merchandise. Every trainer left with something memorable. The increased Pikachu raids and rare encounters added to the thrill, with players rushing around to catch elusive Pokemon.
The ambience at Phoenix Mall was nothing short of magical. Pokémon-themed banners, life-sized pokestops and gyms and upbeat background music made it feel like we had stepped into a real-life Pokemon adventure. Everywhere I looked, trainers were forming teams, discussing battle strategies, and bonding over their shared passion for the game. The event wasn’t just about catching Pokémon—it was about building connections and celebrating the Pokémon GO community.
One of the most exciting parts of the event was the meet-and-greet with Pokémon GO YouTube creators. Getting the chance to interact with some of the biggest names in the Pokémon GO community was an unforgettable experience. They shared gameplay insights, participated in challenges, and even played alongside fans. It was inspiring to see how their passion for the game has brought so many people together.
As a community leader, it was incredibly fulfilling to meet new trainers, share strategies, and help create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. Traveling across the country for this event was absolutely worth it—not just for the Pokémon, but for the amazing people I met along the way.
By the end of the event, my Pokémon storage was overflowing, my bag was packed with souvenirs, and my heart was full of memories. The City Safari in Mumbai was more than just a gaming event—it was a celebration of adventure, culture, and community. I can’t wait for the next one!
Divyam Duggal from Jaipur, Rajasthan
City Safari Mumbai was the experience of a lifetime for me. The arrangements were good, the people who joined were great and the in-game experience was the best. I got to meet so many trainers, make new friends, and trade some great Pokemon.
Dhanagopalan Murugesan from Bengaluru, Karnataka
I had an unforgettable time at City Safari Mumbai! The energy, rare spawns, and meeting Poke Daxi, Yuri, The Trainer Club (Billy), and ZoëTwoDots made it incredible. One of the best moments was battling for the IRL gym and making it Valor! The competition was intense, but the teamwork made it thrilling. Events like this remind me why I love Pokémon GO—not just for the game, but for the amazing community. Can’t wait for the next adventure!
Sandeep from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha
2016 is the year I started this game like all. That was a grind, finding a Pidgey and stacking them to evolve at a time to gain XP. We didn’t have a concept of community back then.
When I moved to Chennai in 2018, I was lost in translation and the only thing that made me love the city was finding an active community in Chennai and exploring places along with them and the language spoken was POKEMON. The Chennai community made sure it felt like a home away from home.
Coming back to my home town of Bhubaneswar, I joined the community of Bhubaneswar and 2024 we got recognized by Niantic. I made friends throughout the country and meeting them during the Safari Mumbai event was the best thing. I met a lot of new friends as well during my stay in Mumbai for those 3 days.
Pokemon Go isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a way of meeting new people and making friends outside the game as well. Am thankful to the organisers and Niantic that they held an India event bringing together the players from all over the country.
Rithvik Raavi from Chennai
The City Safari Mumbai was my first-ever live event and it has been fabulous! For a game like Pokémon Go where the community is everything, Experiencing all the communities from India and the rest of the world coming to Mumbai and playing together was a dream come true. Yes, I did get all the shinies I had on my checklist but it was all the people I met and the friends I made that matter the most! Definitely core memories right there. This is a first but I’m sure we’re going to have a lot more coming to India in the future and I sure am looking forward to it!
Nikhil from Vadodara
Pokémon GO City Safari Mumbai was a historic moment for the Indian Pokémon GO community, marking the first-ever large-scale Niantic event in the country. Held on March 29-30, 2025, the event brought thousands of trainers together, not just from across India but from around the world. It was an incredible opportunity to meet international players, exchange Pokémon from different regions, and experience the thrill of hunting rare spawns in the vibrant streets of Mumbai. The Vadodara Pokémon GO community was there in full force on both days, exploring the city, tackling raids, and making unforgettable memories. From catching regional exclusives to sharing strategies with fellow trainers, the event was a celebration of friendship, adventure, and the spirit of the game. The bonds formed during this event will last a lifetime, proving that Pokémon GO is more than just a game—it’s a global community.
My last day in Mumbai was here and it was a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, I was feeling blessed to have touched such a huge milestone in my life while on the other, I felt kind of sad to leave so quickly. Ultimately, once I shook off the cobwebs of sleep and exhaustion, I felt lucky to have experienced it all at such close quarters and meeting such fabulous people.
The flight back home felt quick as I spent the entire journey recalling everything I’d experienced the previous two days.
I reached home in a few hours and decided to rest the day. Then, it was back to writing articles for GO Hub and here I am!
I’m eagerly looking forward to more such events in India and meeting the team again! On that note, check out my interviews with Niantic officials, ZoëTwoDots, Poké Daxi, The Trainer Club, and more here. You don’t want to miss this!
Until the next time, have fun, keep catching ’em all, and achieve new milestones in Pokémon GO!
