Has anyone been to a Pokemon Go Live event?

[ShinyThingsAreDistracting]

A bit of a niche question, but has anyone been to a Pokemon Go Live Fest before?

I'm trying to find out about ticketing but the Niantic website isn't showing information for what I need to know.

My DS wants to go to the Pokemon Greater London live event (Brockwell Park) in August. I can see how to buy a ticket for us both - but we'll have another child with us. They don't want to play, they just want to walk around with us. Is that allowed, or is it people with tickets only allowed in the park?

Thanks!

[RedToothBrush]

Only people with tickets allowed in the park because it's a venue with capacity limits.

https://gofest.pokemongolive.com/london?hl=en

There is only a limited window to enter the park which will be monitored at the gates with much of the event in the Rest of London without entering the park at all.

The events are notorious for having phone signal problems in the venue (with so many people playing). Last year's event in Las Vegas had loads of problems - especially because lots of non ticket holders congregated around the venue - there's only going to be a bigger issue with that in the UK because there are a higher number of players in a smaller country.

Looking at the price it seems hard to justify tbh though. It's double what it was for Liverpool a couple of years back (we had tickets, it got cancelled due to COVID and couldn't make the rescheduled plan).

They will be trying to flog more stuff and there's a limited number of special Pokémon / rewards in the venue. All the social stuff you can in theory do outside the park anyway.

[tommika]

Never been

But it looks like anyone can turn up to the park, and that ticket holders would get the game experience

Parents, guardians, companions, and partners who will be visiting the park do not have to buy a ticket to Pokémon GO Fest 2023 to enter the park. Entrance to the park is free for anyone visiting, as usual. 
However, if you plan playing in the park during GO Fest 2023 hours, you will need a ticket, as there will be no spawns, raids, or special in-game features for players without a ticket.

https://pokemongohub.net/post/event/go-fest-2023-london/

[ShinyThingsAreDistracting]

Thanks both - I might get them to have a look at what's being offered on the day. It doesn't look great.

I think they just want to be part of the experience - but I was surprised at how expensive it was.

They seem to be alienating the remaining people playing (changes to remote raid prices etc), which seems an odd strategy!

[VerticalSausages]

I can’t seem to buy tickets for my child anyway despite following all the advice online. They are registered as my child on Pokémon Trainer Club but can’t find them when selecting tickets. And impossible to get any help or support. Rubbish!

[ShinyThingsAreDistracting]

Oh, that's annoying. My DS's username came up without any issues - but I still haven't gone on and booked, as I can't decide if it's worth it or not. Kind of hoping it will sell out while we're dithering!

[gillybean2]

I’ve been to many pogo events before. Expect there to be problems, bugs, connection issues etc. however the atmosphere is brilliant, especially if you are staying and exploring over a few days. Raiding will be much easier and there are photo opportunities, things to see and do etc.

game play only switches on for ticket holders during their ticket time. Any non pogo players won’t affect this so I can’t imagine they could object to non playing siblings or family members.
although unable to ‘play’ we have returned to the park on non ticket days to trade, especially when abroad and never had an issue getting in.

you won’t get any meaningful ‘help’ trying to contact Niantic. When you select to buy the ticket from in game events it should let you change the number of tickets you want. You can then type in the name of the other players you want to buy a ticket for. Is that the but that’s not working for you?

come join us in the gaming chat section. A new thread was recently started as the old one filled up this week.

[1990s]

I live near Brockwell Park and they have said they’re not fencing any of it off (local people are rightly a bit pissed off about the whole park being out of action all weekend) so I’d be very surprised if you can’t just walk in.

Also they have already put up a load of extra phone masts.

[gillybean2]

@1990s

I live near Brockwell Park and they have said they’re not fencing any of it off (local people are rightly a bit pissed off about the whole park being out of action all weekend) so I’d be very surprised if you can’t just walk in.

Also they have already put up a load of extra phone masts.

Yes I realised the locals were very unhappy when I posted a question on twitter a while back…
I don’t suppose you know where the ‘north entrance’ is going to be for ticket holders? I need to get a taxi booked but I’m not sure where it needs to take me!

[1990s]

I would imagine the “north” entrance will be the one roughly by Herne Hill station, entrances are marked as small grey arrows on this map, and the Herne Hill entrance to the park is the orange one. I’d aim for Herne Hill station or the Lido car park, assuming you can walk a small way.

Locals are pissed off generally by the council closing the park for 6 or so weekends in summer just to make money, it’s not just about this event unfortunately.

[gillybean2]

@1990s thanks for your reply. Tickets are for north or east entrance and I had kind of assumed the one you’ve marked would be east and then north either the one just north of it or right up by very top bit. So I’m none the wiser really and just left guessing. I just hope it’s not too far to get to wherever the t-shirt pick up will be…

[1990s]

Map from Pokémon Go website shows the entrance I put in Orange as the East entrance, so you’re right.

Based on that I’d expect the entrance with the red arrow to be the north entrance, so aim for Brixton Water Lane, but beware it’s not easy to stop there in a taxi.

[ShinyThingsAreDistracting]

@gillybean2 Did you go to the event? I'm curious what it was like.

We didn't go in the end. Worried about the weather, rewards etc!

[AndAllOurYesterdays]

A friend of mine went. Said it was pouring, friendly atmosphere but nothing special. He got some ok Pokémon but nothing amazing or worth the price tag.

[ShinyThingsAreDistracting]

@AndAllOurYesterdays thanks for that. Good to know!