What is the Team Rocket Balloon event and email about in Pokémon Go?

A surprise Team Rocket event is coming to Pokémon Go.

Image via Niantic

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Team Rocket has foolishly released an email announcing their impending event in Pokémon Go. The details of the email should have gone out to every player who has an account in the game, and whatever email is associated with that information. You will want to check the email you have tied to your Pokémon Go account, not only to learn the small detail Team Rocket’s surprise event but to also receive an offer code to receive a handful of items for reading it. The event email refers to an upcoming balloon feature set to release in the game on July 7, and how it may bring Team Rocket back to the spotlight in Pokémon Go.

Even Team Rocket members practice social distancing

Redditor CCZeroFire clipped the entire email together for those having trouble reading it on their side. The email breaks down how Team Rocket will be launching a surprise event in Pokémon Go on July 7, at an unknown time. We can predict it could happen sometime at 8 am or closer to the afternoon at 11 am at your local time, both are traditional starting times for Pokémon Go events. 

The event will likely feature various Team Rocket encounters players can take part in, but rather than visit any stolen PokéStop locations, the Team Rocket Grunts have taken to the skies in a Team Rocket Balloon. The new feature means players will not have to leave their homes to find an invaded PokéStop, they have to look for a balloon to pass over them with the large red R on it, and then fight whatever Rocket Grunt is inside. Because it does involve the leaders, it’s likely Sierra, Arlo, and Cliff will be available to battle, and they could have new shadow Pokémon available. However, they could just as easily have the same Pokémon they were using in March. But we do know they will be available to battle, and the leader himself, Giovanni, could be possible, although he does not make a surprise appearance in the Team Rocket email blast.

When the event drops, prepare to see Team Rocket balloons in the sky, giving you a new way to battle Team Rocket Grunts and leaders. We’ll be updating this guide with additional details when the event becomes a reality on July 7.