Niantic is introducing a new type of Pokémon background image, called Special Background image, which will be available to everyone during certain in-game events. Starting with this year’s Inbound from Ultra Space Event, and continuing with Pokémon GO Fest 2024: Global event, Trainers will have a chance to earn these new backgrounds for the first time.
What are Pokémon Backgrounds?
Since 2023, Trainers attending Pokémon GO’a real world events, have had a chance to catch Pokémon with exclusive location backgrounds, making those Pokémon super rare souvenirs from those events.
Niantic has called those backgrounds Location Backgrounds, and today they are introducing a wider set of backgrounds called Special Backgrounds, debuting ahead and during the Pokémon GO Fest 2024: Global!
Pokémon Backgrounds are a way for Trainers to remember when and where they caught a particular Pokémon. It’s a special background image that shows up behind a Pokémon when looking at the Pokémon’s details screen.
Traditionally, they were only granted for attending real-world events, or participating in special in-game ones, but now more Trainers will have access to them. Pokémon backgrounds cycle with the previous Pokémon summary page background.
Special Backgrounds debut for everyone
After catching certain Pokémon during certain events, Trainers will have a chance to receive Special Backgrounds, no matter where they are playing from!
These backgrounds will appear on the Pokémon’s summary page, similar to Location Backgrounds that are currently available at real-world events.
New Special Backgrounds will appear during select in-game events, so keep your eyes peeled!
Get Ultra Beasts with Special Backgrounds during the “Inbound from Ultra Space” event
From Monday, July 8, at 10:00 a.m. to Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. local time, all Trainers will have a chance of receiving Special Backgrounds from Ultra Beasts in five-star raids after making a successful catch!
You can find out more about the event here: Inbound from Ultra Space Event. It’s a brilliant event that you don’t want to miss!
Get Necrozma, Solgaleo, and Lunala with a Special Backgrounds during Global GO Fest 2024
Saturday, July 13, 2024
On Saturday, July 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers will have a chance of receiving Special Backgrounds from Ultra Beasts in five-star raids, including Necrozma, after making a successful catch!
Saturday, July 14, 2024
On Sunday, July 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, all Trainers will have a chance of receiving Special Backgrounds from Necrozma in five-star raids after making a successful catch!
Ticket Holder exclusive
Ticket-holding Trainers will also encounter a Solgaleo or Lunala with a Special Background as a part of their ticketed Special Research.
When fused with Necrozma with a Special Background, the fused Dusk Mane Necrozma or Dawn Wings Necrozma will have its own variant of the background!