Pokémon GO Announces Major Overhaul to Leveling System—New Max Level 80 Coming October 15!

Biggest XP and level cap update in the game’s history arrives with new rewards, smoother progression, and special celebration events.

Pokémon GO players, get ready—Niantic and The Pokémon Company have just announced one of the biggest updates the game has seen since launch. On October 15, the game will roll out a massive leveling system overhaul, revamping how XP is earned and raising the level cap from 50 to 80, the largest increase in the game’s history.

What’s Changing in the Pokémon GO XP Update?

This game-changing update will make it easier and more rewarding to level up, especially for players who have been sitting at level 50 for a long time. As trainers progress toward level 80, they’ll unlock major new rewards, including:

• Increased Pokémon storage space
  
• Expanded Item Bag and Gift Storage
  
• New avatar customization items, starting at level 25
  

Another major change is the removal of the Level-Up Research tasks for levels 41–50. These will be replaced by a new set of Level-Up Research for levels 71–80. If a player already has enough XP saved, they may jump several levels instantly once the update goes live.

Players who reach level 70 or higher will also gain an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends with others—making those valuable trades even more worthwhile.

XP Celebration Event – Until October 14

To help players prepare for the update, an XP Celebration event is now running and will continue through October 14 (local time). During this limited-time event, players can enjoy a range of XP-boosting bonuses:

• Double XP for catching Pokémon with “Nice,” “Great,” or “Excellent” throws
  
• Bonus 3,000 XP from Raid and Max Battles (stackable with other bonuses)
  
• Timed Research available for players level 5 and up, offering over 7 million XP in total
  

For full details and future updates, players are encouraged to check Pokémon GO’s official blog.

Final Thought

This isn’t just an update—it’s a turning point for Pokémon GO. With a new level cap, a smoother XP system, and meaningful rewards that scale with progression, Niantic is breathing fresh life into the game for both veterans and newer players. It’s also a reminder that Pokémon GO, even years after release, continues to evolve with its community. Whether you’ve hit level 50 long ago or just getting started, October 15 marks a new era. Make sure you’re ready to rise to the challenge.