Complete guide to Pokemon Go’s Ed Sheeran event with practical strategies for maximizing rewards and rare encounters
Event Overview and Timing
The Pokemon Go collaboration with Ed Sheeran brings an unprecedented musical experience to the augmented reality game, combining hit songs with exclusive in-game content that creates a unique fusion of music and Pokemon hunting.
This groundbreaking Pokemon Go x Ed Sheeran partnership delivers a special musical performance, limited-time avatar items, and boosted Water-type encounters. Our comprehensive guide covers everything from timing details to advanced catching strategies.
Pokemon Go continues to innovate with high-profile collaborations that bridge gaming and pop culture. Following successful partnerships with brands like Oreo and artist Post Malone during the Pokemon 25th anniversary celebrations, the franchise now teams with global music superstar Ed Sheeran. This event celebrates his new album while providing trainers with exclusive gameplay experiences that blend musical entertainment with Pokemon collection.
The Ed Sheeran Pokemon Go experience launches at 11am PT on Monday, November 22, 2021. For trainers in different time zones, here are the equivalent start times:
Watching Ed Sheeran’s In-Game Performance
Accessing Ed Sheeran’s special musical performance requires navigating to the in-game News section within Pokemon Go. You can find this by opening the main menu and selecting the News button, which typically appears as a newspaper icon in the interface.
Once the event becomes active at the scheduled start time, you’ll find the performance option within the News section. The setlist includes both classic hits and newer releases, featuring tracks like Perfect, Bad Habits, Thinking Out Loud, First Times, and Shiver. Additionally, Ed Sheeran’s newest single Overpass Graffiti will play nightly throughout the event duration. 
For optimal viewing experience, use headphones to appreciate the audio quality and ensure stable internet connection to prevent buffering. The performance is available on-demand throughout the event, so you can watch multiple times if desired.
Wild Spawns and Pokemon Encounters
Niantic has revealed that Ed Sheeran particularly favors Water-type Pokemon, leading to significantly increased spawn rates for aquatic starters throughout the event period. The following Water-type Pokemon will appear more frequently in the wild:
This event provides an exceptional opportunity to accumulate Candy for evolving and powering up Water-type starter Pokemon. Particularly noteworthy is the return of Sunglasses Squirtle, which hasn’t been available in Pokemon Go since July 2018 – nearly three and a half years ago! https://twitter.com/PokemonGoApp/status/1461159017934381059
Catching Strategy: Focus on using Pinap Berries to double candy catches, especially for the final evolution stages. Water-type Pokemon tend to cluster near actual bodies of water, so parks with ponds, lakes, or rivers may yield better spawn density. The Sunglasses Squirtle has the same catch rate as regular Squirtle but represents a rare cosmetic variant for collection purposes.
Event Bonuses and Free Items
Throughout the Ed Sheeran collaboration event, trainers can access multiple daily bonuses and exclusive items. Each day you can take Snapshots for unexpected surprises, visit PokeStops to collect specially designed stickers, and claim a free event box containing valuable resources.
The free event box typically includes a Lure Module, multiple Poke Balls, and an assortment of Berries. Additionally, Ed Sheeran-themed avatar items are available, featuring a distinctive sweatshirt displaying his album artwork. While this cosmetic item is free, it requires redeeming a specific code: VVM87WGMMUZHTB8X.
Advanced Player Strategies
For experienced trainers looking to maximize this limited-time opportunity, several advanced strategies can enhance your event experience and resource acquisition.
Candy Optimization: Use this event to stockpile candy for Community Day evolutions. Since many Water-type starters have had Community Days with exclusive moves, having ample candy ensures you can evolve during future events. The Sunglasses Squirtle provides regular Squirtle candy, making it valuable for Blastoise preparation.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid: Don’t forget to redeem the avatar code early – many players miss time-limited codes. Avoid using your daily incense during peak spawn times when natural spawns are already abundant. Remember that the event concludes at 1pm PST on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, so plan your final activities accordingly.
Advanced Timing: Schedule your gameplay during weather boosts for Water-type Pokemon (rain) to enhance both spawn rates and catch candy. The event’s week-long duration allows for flexible participation, but earlier engagement ensures you don’t miss any daily bonuses.
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