Pokémon GO Level Cap 80: New Rewards and Research Tasks

Niantic has revealed an extensive overhaul to Pokémon GO’s leveling system. The cap has been raised from 50 to 80, there will be new rewards, new avenues for leveling up, and new benefits for players too.

Leveling Overhaul

Starting October 15, 2025, leveling up for all trainers will be easier and more transparent. There will be no more cap for trainers to get over on the way to level 80. After a trainer level up, they will be at new tiers to level up at until they reach level 80, and there will be lots of new reward items minted, such as Avatar items, more storage, and new cosmetics.

Image via The Pokémon Company

Avatar items such as glasses, hats, boots, and poses will become available at new level milestones. To illustrate, new cosmetic items will be available at level 25. A trainer will gain the opportunity to attain the level 50 jacket when reaching level 50.

The levels will change for most players automatically. Depending on their total XP amassed to this point, players may level-up once the game recalculates their progress. However, no one will fall out of their level.

Research and Friend Bonuses

Level-Up Research is also changing. The current levels 41–50 research tasks will finish on October 15th. New tasks will begin for levels 71–80. Also, Trainers that hit level 70 or higher will have an improved chance to become Lucky Friends, which helps with trading rare Pokémon.

There’s a slight change for level 47’s tough research task. Previously, Trainers would have to walk 25 km in a week eight times. After the update, it will just have to be completed two times.

Legacy Rewards & XP Celebration Event Live Now

Image via The Pokémon Company

Niantic is providing legacy rewards to recognize the old progress. Trainers will receive a medal and items based on the highest level they reached so far from level 1 to level 50. However, legacy items will not be available after October 15.

There is also the XP Celebration event that took place before the update that is live until October 14th. Trainers can use this to stack up their XP before the new system kicks in. Event bonuses include:

The maximum level will be increased from a maximum level of 50 to a maximum level of 80. The planned overall levelling curve from level 1 to level 80 will also be rebalanced, allowing players to level–up more often.
Level-Up Research tasks for levels 41 to 50 will be removed.
New Level-Up Research tasks will be added to levels 71 to 80.
Players at level 70, and above, will also have an increased chance of becoming Lucky Friends with other players.
Also, as part of your level-up rewards, you will see new level-up rewards such as increased Pokémon, items, and Gift storage. This includes new avatar items, starting as low as level 25!
Many players will level-up automatically based on your previously earned experience in Pokémon GO on October 15. These players will receive their rewards for reaching those levels, at that time. More details will follow regarding exactly which players will level-up along with how many levels they will go up!
No players will level-down, but the amount of XP to level-up to the next level could change for you depending on what level you are at.