After five years of waiting, Pokémon GO is finally raising its trainer level cap again — and this time, it’s a massive jump. Starting October 15, 2025, the maximum trainer level will increase from 50 to 80, giving players a whole new milestone to chase.
Level Caps in Pokémon GO
When Pokémon GO launched in 2016, trainers could only reach level 40. In 2020, the GO Beyond update pushed the cap to level 50, introducing special Level-Up Research tasks instead of just XP requirements. That change made climbing beyond level 40 a true test of dedication.
Now, five years later, Niantic is raising the ceiling once more — and making major adjustments to how leveling works.
Level Cap 80: What Changes for Trainers
The new cap raises the maximum trainer level from 50 to 80. To support this, Niantic is rebalancing XP requirements across the board so progress feels smoother and faster. Trainers who’ve stockpiled excess XP beyond level 50 will automatically jump ahead when the update goes live, and no one will lose their current level. Niantic also noted it will share more details on just how many levels players may advance once the rebalance applies.
Tasks and Research Updates
With the new curve, Level-Up Research tasks for 41 to 50 will be removed, while a fresh set of challenges will appear for levels 71 to 80. One of the most notorious requirements in the high 40s — walking 25 km eight times in a week — has been reduced to just two, making progression far less punishing.
Rewards and Bonuses
Niantic is tying new rewards to level progression, including:
- Expanded storage for Pokémon, items, and gifts, with limits raised beyond today’s maximums.
- New avatar items tied to milestone levels.
- An increased chance to become Lucky Friends once reaching level 70, making it easier to secure powerful trades.
At the same time, some exclusives are being retired. The Level 50 Jacket and other avatar rewards from levels 40–50 will no longer be obtainable after the update, though players who already unlocked them will keep them. To honor early achievers, Niantic is also introducing commemorative medals: one for reaching up to Level 49, and another for hitting Level 50 before the change. Trainers who manage to reach Level 50 by October 14 at 11:59 p.m will also keep the Level 50 Jacket and unlock an exclusive avatar pose.
XP Celebration Event
To help trainers prepare, Pokémon GO is hosting an XP Celebration Event from August 25 to October 14, 2025.
Event Bonuses include:
- 2x Catch XP for Nice, Great, and Excellent throws.
- +3,000 XP for winning raids.
- +3,000 XP for winning Max Battles.
- Special Timed Research available to players level 5 and above, offering up to 7,000,000 XP.
- An optional XP Celebration Ultra Box in the shop for $9.99 (limit three per account), containing 15 Lucky Eggs, 1 Super Incubator, 1 Incubator, 5 Incense, and 2 Lure Modules.
These rewards, combined with the rebalanced leveling system, make this event the best opportunity in years to climb the trainer ladder quickly.
What About Pokémon Levels?
While trainer progression is getting a major overhaul, Pokémon levels themselves remain capped at 50. This update is focused entirely on trainers, ensuring progression feels more rewarding while still keeping Pokémon balance intact.
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This is Pokémon GO’s first major XP change in five years, and it reshapes how players will progress for years to come. The new cap of level 80 gives even veteran trainers a fresh challenge, while the XP rebalance ensures that the climb feels rewarding rather than overwhelming.
For those who worked hard to reach level 50, your exclusive items and medals will forever mark your achievement. For everyone else, the road to 80 begins this October — time to stockpile Lucky Eggs and get ready.
