Don't you know that there's a Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran event live right now? Rather than wonder how or why this metaverse-like collaboration is a thing, just focus on extracting the sweet, sweet rewards that the folk singer-songwriter has convinced the game to part with.
The event revolves around an in-game performance of the star's songs, but there are of course a bunch of boosted spawns for the occasion (most of which can be shiny), and even a new promo code to redeem.
Before we dive in, do think about checking out our extensive Pokémon GO section. We've been updating our GO Rocket Leader guides with Sierra counters, Cliff counters, and Arlo counters to help you on your way to besting Giovanni and catching Shadow Lugia before the end of the Season of Mischief event in early December.
What Is the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Event?
The Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran event is the AR game's first collaboration of its kind. Instead of partnering with a mobile phone service provider or a clothing line, it's teaming up with a big-time musical artist in the same way popular Battle Royale title Fortnite has over the past few years.
The event features a performance you can view through the in-game News tab, but in celebration of the event, Ed Sheeran's favourite Pokémon, Squirtle, will spawn more often. Better yet, it'll come with sunglasses. Because he's Ed Sheeran.
When Is the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Event?
The Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran event starts on November 22 at 11am PST (or 7pm GMT). It will conclude around a week later on November 30 at 1pm PST (9pm GMT). After that, things should go back to the way they were before.
How Do I Watch the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Concert?
You can view the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran concern in-game by tapping into the News tab. It'll be available on-demand from the start of the event up until its final day and will include the following songs:
- Perfect
- Bad Habits
- Overpass Graffiti
- Thinking Out Loud
- First Times
- Shivers
You'll hear the man's songs whether you tune into the concert or not. 'Overpass Graffiti' will replace the evening song view throughout the event.
What Are the Increased Spawns During the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Event?
- Squirtle (with sunglasses)
- Totodile
- Midkip
- Piplup
- Froakie
- Oshawott
Note: Pokémon in bold can be shiny. Froakie and Squirtle are both rarer spawns than the rest, so don't expect to see too many of them in the sea of other Water-type Pokémon.
Ed Sheeran's Squirtle isn't the only Pokémon you'll see spawning more often during the latest Pokémon GO event. The singer just has a thing for Water-type partner Pokémon. And for that, Niantic has vowed to boost the appearance rates of every available Water-type starter Pokémon. Veterans of the franchise will know all too well which those are, but there's a full increased spawn list above for clarification.
Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Field Research Rewards
If you're having no luck finding the Ed Sheeran Squirtle out in the wild, the next-best way to obtain one is by completing Field Research. Until the end of the event period, Field Research rewards will feature 'Squirtle wearing sunglasses' to add to your collection. If anything, it gives you another hope of finding a shiny version.
Can I Battle Ed Sheeran in Pokémon GO?
No, the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran event doesn't include the ability to battle the chart-topping artist. While it certainly would have been nice to at least give the guy an in-game model and a team based on the increased spawns or Squirtle's bespectacled evolutionary line, that doesn't appear to be part of the deal.
Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran Avatar Items and More
Lastly, the Pokémon GO Ed Sheeran event drops a bunch of goodies into the in-game shop. You can claim a free event sweatshirt with a new promo code, pick up some event-exclusive stickers to send in gifts, and even grab an event box full of basic necessities to get any lapsed players back into the swing of things.