September 2025 is shaping up to be a whirlwind month for Pokémon GO fans, with a packed calendar of events, rare Pokémon debuts, and new twists on classic features. From the much-anticipated Shadow Groudon Raid Day to the whimsical celebration of Pokémon Concierge, and the ever-popular Raid Hour spotlighting legendary creatures, Niantic seems determined to keep trainers on their toes—and maybe even out of the house more than usual.
Kicking off the month, the “Event to Celebrate Pokémon Concierge” arrives on September 9, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and runs until Sunday, September 14, at 8:00 p.m. local time. According to Mein-MMO, this event honors the release of the second season of Pokémon Concierge on Netflix, a charming series about Haru, a concierge dealing with the adventures of Pokémon guests at a resort. The event’s highlight is Swablu with a floatie—a costumed Pokémon making its in-game debut. Not only does this adorable Swablu appear in the wild, but it also comes with an increased shiny chance, making it a must-catch for dedicated collectors.
But Swablu isn’t the only star. Trainers can also encounter Se Jong and Shinx in the wild, with Shinx joining Pikachu and Magikarp as possible shiny finds in Level 1 raids. Level 3 raids ramp up the challenge with Arcanine, Dragonite, and Luxray. The event brings a slew of bonuses: double candy when catching Pokémon, more frequent buddy gifts, snapshot surprises featuring Pokémon Concierge figures, and a variety of field research tasks centered on event Pokémon. For those looking for even more, a time-limited research quest is available in the in-game shop.
“This event is really about celebrating the lighter side of Pokémon,” said a Niantic spokesperson, as quoted by Mein-MMO. “We want trainers to feel the joy and whimsy of the Pokémon world, especially with such a beloved show returning to Netflix.”
With barely a breather, trainers will find themselves swept into the next major event: the Shadow Groudon Raid Day. As reported by Bleeding Cool, this event runs from Saturday, September 20, at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time. It marks the first time Shadow Groudon will be available in Shadow Raids—previously, this formidable Ground-type could only be caught by defeating Giovanni. But there’s an even bigger draw: the debut of Shiny Shadow Groudon, a sparkling variant that’s sure to attract raid groups across the globe.
Niantic has sweetened the deal with a $4.99 USD event ticket, available in the in-game shop until the event’s conclusion. Ticket holders unlock five additional Raid Passes per day (for a total of seven), a 50% XP boost from Raid Battles, and double Stardust rewards. “These bonuses will be effective from Saturday, September 20, at 6:00 a.m. to Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time,” Niantic writes on the official blog. Importantly, participating in the event doesn’t require the ticket, but only ticket holders enjoy these extra perks. Tickets can also be gifted to friends with whom you’ve achieved Great Friend status or higher, though all purchases are final.
For trainers who missed Shadow Groudon’s initial run as Giovanni’s featured Legendary, this event is a golden opportunity. “Now, if you missed the chance to catch Shadow Groudon while it was Giovanni’s featured Legendary, you will have another chance at this powerful Ground-type Pokémon. Also, this time, there’s another reason to raid against Shadow Groudon. A sparkly reason,” Bleeding Cool teased, referencing the shiny debut.
While Niantic has often boosted shiny rates during Raid Days, there’s been no explicit mention of such a boost for this event. Still, the promise of a first-ever Shiny Shadow Groudon is enough to get trainers strategizing—and maybe dusting off their best counters.
Of course, no Pokémon GO month would be complete without the weekly tradition of Raid Hour. According to Nintendo Wire, Raid Hour began as an experiment in March 2019, initially called Legendary Lunch Hour, before settling into its now-familiar Wednesday evening slot from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The September 10, 2025, Raid Hour features Palkia (Origin Forme), which can be shiny, giving players another shot at this coveted Legendary. Next week, Mega Latias and Mega Latios will take center stage.
Raid Hour is a staple for both casual and hardcore players, offering a reliable window to team up and tackle high-level raids. Over the years, it’s weathered technical glitches, pandemic-related cancellations, and changes to the core mechanics of raiding itself. The introduction of Remote Raid Passes during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed trainers to join raids from home, a move that was initially celebrated but later became contentious as Niantic imposed daily limits and price hikes. As of May 13, 2025, trainers can use up to 10 Remote Raid Passes per day, an increase from the previous cap of five—though this limit may be temporarily raised during special events.
Securing Raid Passes remains a balancing act. There are three types: the free daily Raid Pass (orange), the Premium Battle Pass (green), and the Remote Raid Pass (blue). The latter, while convenient, has seen its price jump from 100 to 195 PokéCoins for a single pass and from 300 to 525 PokéCoins for a three-pack since April 2023. Remote Raid Passes are also available as Research Breakthrough rewards, and their daily usage limit is strictly enforced, except when Niantic announces increases for special occasions.
“Niantic cited the change as ‘necessary for the long-term health of the game,’” Nintendo Wire reports, though many players recall how remote raiding helped the company’s profits soar during pandemic lockdowns. The company’s stated philosophy remains rooted in encouraging outdoor play, but the convenience of remote features continues to spark debate within the community.
Looking ahead, September doesn’t slow down. After the Pokémon Concierge event, trainers can look forward to the Psychic Spectacle event and a Community Day featuring Flabébé, ensuring that there’s always something on the horizon. This jam-packed schedule reflects Niantic’s ongoing commitment to keeping the game fresh—and perhaps, to keeping trainers out and about in their neighborhoods.
For Pokémon GO players, September 2025 is a month of choices. Whether you’re chasing a costumed Swablu, assembling a raid squad for Shiny Shadow Groudon, or simply enjoying the weekly Raid Hour with friends, there’s no shortage of adventures to be had. As the game continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the world of Pokémon GO remains as lively, surprising, and community-driven as ever.
