Fresh off the start of 2026 and Pokémon GO is already generating a lot of buzz with some exciting new events and unexpected removals.
This week’s News Roundup is certainly going to raise a lot of eyebrows! So, without any ado, let’s dig in.
McDonald’s Gyms and PokéStops disappear
Back in December 2024, Pokémon GO announced its partnership with McDonald’s, and naturally, players looked forward to spinning Gyms and PokéStops in the popular fast food chain, and send/collect Gifts from there.
However, it looks like this partnership was meant to be short-lived as all McDonald’s Gyms and PokéStops have disappeared from the map. In fact, previously saved McDonald’s Gifts are also not loading, leaving players disappointed.
While the Gyms can still be seen on Campfire, they are no longer functional, with Gym defenders also returning to their respective trainers.
For many, these McDonald’s spots were a great opportunity to grab in-game goodies or keep their Pokémon in Gyms when they grabbed their meals, so the community probably won’t be “lovin’ it.”
IIT Madras Saarang 2026
The IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) are the premier technological institutes in India, renowned not only for their academic standards but also its glorious cultural fests. After IIT Bombay hosted a very happening Pokémon GO event during Techfest 2025 in December, IIT Madras has now joined the bandwagon, featuring another exciting event during Saarang 2026.
Running between January 10 and January 12, 2026, the event is set to be a Gen 1 fiesta with the following perks:
- Evolving to Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise during the event will unlock Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, and Hydro Cannon respectively
- Bonuses such as +1 Candy while trading and 3-hour Lure Module duration
- Popular Gen 1 Pokémon like Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, Lapras, Eevee, and Snorlax will appear more frequently all around the lush green campus in Chennai, India
Australian Open 2026
TOPCOURT is an off-court Australian Open pavilion that’s meant for live entertainment, gaming, and music. While the details of this news are yet to be completely revealed, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a Pokémon GO event set to be held during the Australian Open 2026 from January 12 to February 1, 2026, in Melbourne, which is one of the biggest tennis extravaganzas of the year.
Players can find special event Pokémon, Timed Research, and a dedicated Route. It remains to be seen what surprises await players during this event, but it’s a lot of hype nonetheless!
