Event Features | Pokémon GO Fest 2024: New York City (2024)

To start your journey, make your way to Randall’s Island. Randall’s Island is a small island located in the East River of New York City. It is situated between the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx. Randall’s Island is easily accessible on foot, by public transit, or bike.

Trainers can enter the Pokémon GO Fest 2024 experience via two entrances:

• North: Adjacent to the Bronx Shore Fields near the RFK Bridge Manhattan pedestrian access / 133rd Street drop-off point.
• South: Located between the Salt Marsh and the Harlem River Event Area.

The park location for Pokémon GO Fest is accessible by public transportation and dedicated ferries. There is NO parking for personal vehicles on Randall’s Island or designated rideshare locations on Randall’s Island. Rideshare will have drop-off locations on the mainland with access to walking bridges. We suggest taking the ferry to get to Pokémon GO Fest—see below for more information!

MTA

Getting to Pokémon GO Fest courtesy of the MTA is another option. The Pokémon GO Fest team is working closely with the MTA to ensure everyone has a convenient mode of transportation to the festival.

X80 Express Bus
The X80 bus route only operates during special events on Randall’s Island. It stops at East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue (immediately outside the East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue subway station for the 4/5/6 train). They run non-stop during the event hours, beginning at 8:00am and concluding at 8:00pm. The X80 Route Bus is a dedicated shuttle that runs roughly every 10 minutes. It costs $7 to take onto the island but is FREE leaving the island. There are two stops on Randall’s Island. Randall’s Island North on Bronx Shore Drive near the North Festival Entrance and Randall’s Island South at Icahn Stadium near the soccer field. The north bus stop is new for 2024. The north stop will service anyone who has completed their trainer journey or is ready to leave Randall’s.

Here’s how to get to Pokémon GO Fest via subway and MTA buses in two simple steps.

STEP ONE:
Take the 4, 5, or 6 subway train to the east 125th Street station.
$5.80 roundtrip ($2.90/ride; $1.00 new card fee not included).

STEP TWO:
Take the X80 Express Bus from East 125th Street / Lexington Avenue to Randall’s Island Park.
$7.00 roundtrip ($4.10 if coming from subway using MetroCard or OMNY contactless option)

M35 Local Bus
The M35 route buses are a standard MTA service that takes passengers from Harlem East 125 St / Lexington Av with a stop at Icahn Stadium near the soccer field. Differing from the X80, this service will make several stops and isn’t an express service.
Click here to see the route schedule

Ferry Service

Ferries depart from and return to the East 35th Street Ferry Landing located at the intersection of East 35th Street and FDR Drive. They travel to and from Randall’s Island all weekend long. Tickets are limited and must be purchased prior to boarding. The hours of operation are as follows.

July 7: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
July 8: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
July 9: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Bikes/Wheeled Devices

You can walk across the footbridge from E. 103rd St. in Manhattan onto Randall’s Island Park to get to the event. It takes about 20 to 25 minutes to walk from the Manhattan side of the footbridge to the Pokémon GO Fest entrances. You are welcome to ride your bike to the event, but the use of wheeled devices (bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, scooters, etc.) on the Randall’s Island campus is not allowed. Children’s strollers and wheeled equipment used by people with disabilities are permitted.

Walking To Pokémon GO Fest

From Manhattan:

East 103rd St. (approximately 20-25 minutes)
A walkway along Ward’s Island Bridge on East 103rd St. in Manhattan onto Randall’s Island Park. The ramp on this walkway is ADA accessible.

East 125th St Bridge (approximately 10-12 minutes)
A walkway along the RFK Triborough Bridge runs between East 125th Street and 2nd Avenue and the northwestern section of Randall’s Island Park. The ramp on this walkway is ADA accessible.

From the Bronx (about 15 minutes):

East 132nd St & Willow Ave (approximately 15 minutes)
The Randall’s Island Connector provides at-grade access to pedestrians and cyclists 365 days per year, 24 hours a day. It runs under the arches of the Hell Gate Bridge railroad trestle between East 132nd Street at Willow/Walnut Avenues in the Bronx and the northern shore of Randall’s Island Park.

The Randall’s Island Connector

The Randall’s Island Connector provides at-grade access to pedestrians and cyclists 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. It runs under the arches of the Hell Gate Bridge railroad trestle between 132nd Street at Willow/Walnut Avenues in the Bronx and the northern shore of Randall’s Island Park.

BICYCLISTS, PLEASE NOTE: Bikes are NOT allowed on the ferry or buses.

Here are some different transportation methods to help you come and go from Pokémon GO Fest.

Plane

The closest airports to Randall’s Island are Newark International (airport code: EWR), John F. Kennedy (airport code: JFK), and LaGuardia (airport code: LGA).

Train

New Jersey Transit, Amtrak, Long Island Railroad (LIRR), and Metro North have trains that run in and out of New York City on a daily basis.

Train terminal options:

• Pennsylvania Station (often referred to as PENN station), located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, is serviced by LIRR, Amtrak, and New Jersey Transit.
• Grand Central Station is serviced by Metro North.
• Harlem 125th street, the closest terminal to Pokémon GO Fest, is serviced by Metro North.

Bus

The BOLT bus travels from Baltimore, Boston, Cherry Hill, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC to several New York City locations on a daily basis. Check www.boltbus.com for more details. A number of bus companies travel daily to the Port Authority Bus Terminal located in midtown Manhattan. You can easily access many subway trains from there. For information on all carriers, call the Port Authority Terminal at 212-564-8484 or visit www.ny.com/transportation/port_authority.html.

There are dedicated areas for rideshare drop-offs and pick-ups with access to pedestrian bridges and public transportation to Randall’s Island at the following locations in Manhattan (NO dedicated rideshare locations on Randall’s Island):

• East 125th and Lexington is closest X80 and MTA Bus Stop to Randall’s Island
• East 124th before the entrance to RFK Bridge pedestrian walkway
• East 105th ahead of entrance to Ward’s Island Pedestrian Bridge
• East 102nd ahead of entrance to Ward’s Island Pedestrian Bridge

Parking will not be available on Randall’s Island, and we strongly encourage you to get to Randall’s Island by taking the ferry/shuttle options, by walking/biking, or getting dropped off at one of the walking bridges. There will be no parking spots available to purchase.

Please note: Illegal parking on Randall’s Island Park fields, recreational land or any place not clearly marked as a designated parking area is strictly prohibited and may result in a fine of no less than $60 and/or a criminal court summons.

Please note: There will be NO PARKING available on Randall’s Island during our event. See below for a list of nearby parking garages.

Parking Garages near 125th Bridge:

• East River Plaza Garage - E. 116th Street between Pleasant Ave and FDR Drive
• Paladino Parking Lot - 10 Paladino Ave., New York, NY 10035
• MPG Parking Lot - 1559 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10029
• Champion 126 - 162 E 126th St., New York, NY 10035
• Valet Garage - 245 E 124th St.
• Valet Garage - 204 E 126th St.
• E-Z Park East – 127th St. and Park Ave
• East End Parking Corp – 125th between 2nd & 3rd
• iPark E 124 Garage – 124th between 2nd & 3rd
• Taino Towers Garage Corp – 122nd between 2nd & 3rd
• 1908 Parking – Park Ave. between 130th & 129th

Parking Garages near 103rd St Footbridge:

• MPG Manhattan Parking – 440 E 102nd St., New York, NY 10029
• 1955 1st Ave Garage - 480 E 101st St., New York, NY 10029, US
• Glenwood Hampton Court – 103rd St. between 1st & 2nd
• Quik Park – 102nd St. between 1st & 2nd
• Edison ParkFast - 401 E. 110th St. Lot - Valet

Parking Garages near Ferry (35th st & FDR Drive):

• MPG NYULM C Garage Corp: 400 East 35th St., New York, NY 10016
• First Ave Parking, LLC: 630 1st Ave., New York, NY 10016, (646) 684-4047
• Enterprise Parking Systems: 415 East 35th St., New York, NY 10016
• iPark NYUMC – 400 E 35th St.
• iPark 1st Ave Parking – 475 East 36th St., NY 10016
• Enterprise 37 East Parking LLC - 415 E 37th St., New York, NY 10016
• iPark 340 E 34 Garage – 332-342 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016
• GMC Tunnel Garage – 300 East 34th Street
• 575 1st Ave Valet Garage - 575 1st Ave., New York, NY, 10016
• MPG MP E 34th St – 34th St. between 1st & 2nd

ADA parking is available within the park on a “first-come, first-served” basis. There are limited ADA spaces available on Randall’s Island. If you do not have an ADA placard in your vehicle, you will not be permitted to park. If non-ADA attendees park in these areas, they will be towed/fined.

*This is intended for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be taken as endorsem*nts or warranties of any kind. All information presented here is subject to change.

• New York City event: Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.nianticlabs.com/events/pgo while supplies last.
• For an overview of how in-app ticketing works for the live Pokémon GO Fest events, see our Help Center.

Please note the following:

• Event gameplay will be available only at these locations on the specified date and time.
• Tickets to these events, including the purchase of any add-ons, are nonrefundable (subject to applicable law and the exceptions set forth in the Terms of Service). Tickets are “first-come, first-served” and will be available for purchase while supplies last.
• Minors are only able to attend when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Parents or guardians must purchase a ticket for themselves and for any children who would like to participate in event gameplay. The email associated with the parent/guardian’s Pokémon GO account must match the parent/guardian’s email address on file with Niantic Kids / Pokémon Trainer Club.

To begin your Pokémon GO Fest Park Experience, simply arrive at Randall’s Island on the date and time of your purchased ticket. Trainers who do not have a valid ticket will be unable to see or interact with any Pokémon within the park.

Please note that your ticket purchase designates your starting time and date at Randall’s Island. You WILL NOT be able to play in the park before your assigned time and date.

Morning Park Experience: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET
Afternoon Park Experience: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET

The event will adhere to the state and local health guidelines that are in place at the time of the event. As we welcome people to the event, we will be working with Randall’s Island and local organizations to put measures in place for the health and safety of our attendees. The measures may change as our situation evolves, but they will err on the side of ensuring our patrons enjoy a clean and safe experience at Randall’s Island.

We are asking all visitors to follow travel-related health and safety guidelines that apply to their particular situations. Please also follow guidelines from local health authorities when playing Pokémon GO. These include the following:

• NYC Health COVID-19 Guidance:
  https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

Randall’s Island has park enforcement officers that regularly patrol the campus and parking lots. Park enforcement officers coordinate closely with New York City Police Department (NYPD) personnel to ensure compliance with Randall’s Island campus and facility rules of conduct.

Additional event security: We have worked closely with Randall’s Island and local authorities to create and follow a carefully crafted plan for fast and capable responses to a range of security needs and emergency situations to ensure the safety of all Trainers.

Building evacuation procedures: If circ*mstances require evacuation, Trainers should follow the instructions directed by event security, police, or medical responders.

Lost children: In the event of a missing child, please notify a Randall’s Island representative, a local police officer, event security guard, or a member of the customer service staff so that they can coordinate to make sure the child is returned safely.

Safety tips:

• If you see something suspicious while on event grounds or at Randall’s Island facilities, please report it immediately to Randall’s Island at (212) 860-1899 or call 9-1-1.
• If you have a cell phone, keep it readily available in case you need to use it.
• Be mindful of your surroundings to avoid stumbling in wet areas and along pathways.
• Please visit Randall’s Island’s park safety tips for more information: https://randallsisland.org/.
• All attendees must abide by the Niantic Live Events Code of Conduct.

Allowed:

• Standard school-sized backpacks
• Binoculars
• Blankets, sheets, towels
• Cameras (basic point-and-shoot consumer-grade cameras)
• Sealed sunscreen (no aerosol containers)
• Empty hydration packs and water bottles (plastic or aluminum), 36 oz maximum
• Prepackaged food
• Factory-sealed bottles of water or empty reusable water bottles (free water-filling stations are available on-site)
• Collapsible umbrellas or strollers

Discouraged:

• Large backpacks (no frames or camping gear)
• Professional audio recording equipment
• Professional video equipment
• Camera accessories, such as selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, GoPro mounts and attachments, or other commercial equipment
• Totems, flags, banners
• Coolers of any kind (exceptions may be made for medical use)
• Hammocks
• Water guns or squirt guns
• Professional-grade radios or walkie-talkies
• Skateboards, scooters, wagons, carts (including red wagons), or any personal motorized vehicles (not including assistance devices)
• Chairs of any kind
• Cigarettes, e-cigs, or vaping devices
• Aerosol containers (including sunscreen and personal beauty products)

Prohibited:

• Littering
• Smoking
• Weapons
• Walking in planting beds
• Picking flowers or plants
• Feeding or bothering the wildlife
• Parking on fields, grass, or any location not specifically authorized for parking
• Commercial activity, except by permit or otherwise authorized
• Alcohol, except by permit or in authorized areas
• Film or photo shoots, except by permit
• Amplified sound, except by permit
• Barbecuing, except for in designated areas
• Dogs not on a leash
• Leaving dog waste (please clean up after your dog)

If you have further questions, please visit Randall’s Island Park Alliance FAQs here.

There is a merchandise booth located within the park that will sell Pokémon Center goods to attendees.

Be advised that the merchandise shop is cashless.

Please note: because this booth is located within the park, attendees will only be able to visit the merchandise booth during their session.

All ticket holders are allowed to re-enter the event throughout their ticketed session. Only ticket holders will be able to participate in the Pokémon GO Fest gameplay experience and specialized elements.

Trainers will be required to select from two gameplay sessions to guide their gameplay throughout the day.

Morning Park Experience

With a Morning Park Experience ticket, Trainers will start their day on Randall’s Island and explore all the park has to offer. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., there will be an intermission without gameplay to allow transit to your preferred play location within the city.

Then, in the afternoon, Trainers will be able to continue the event from anywhere in New York City!

Afternoon Park Experience

With an Afternoon Park Experience ticket, Trainers will begin their day by enjoying event gameplay anywhere in New York City. From 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., we recommend that you make your way from your preferred play location within the city to Randall’s Island.

Then, starting at 3:00 p.m., Trainers can enjoy the Park Experience, taking in all that Randall’s Island has to offer.

Pokémon GO Fest is ADA compliant, including accessible entrances and restrooms. Power outlets for recharging devices will be located at specific locations across the footprint. Please look for the mobility charging signs. For more information on accessibility accommodations, visit the Information Booths during operational hours. Services offered at the Information Booths include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Answers to questions specific to the ADA access program
• Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities

If you encounter a guest with a disability who has any access questions or needs assistance, please direct them to an Information Booth.

Please be considerate of all Pokémon GO Fest 2024 attendees. Never ask the nature of a person’s disability. Never push a mobility device or wheelchair unless asked, but you can help clear crowds as appropriate.

A patron requiring insulin is allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications as long as all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Out of concern for the festival staff who handle the trash, patrons are expected to dispose of medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal located at the medical area. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the event.

If additional support is required, please check in at the medical area.

• The park grounds are ADA accessible, but please be aware that this is a venue with distances between attractions. Attendees can expect to travel about one mile during their Park Experience. Bear in mind that Pokémon GO Fest 2024 is an outdoor event where most travel is over natural terrain and pathways. Be prepared for rain or shine. Pokémon GO Fest 2024 does not provide wheelchairs for rent or loan, personal care, golf cart rides, or push services of any kind. Guests should make arrangements in advance if a wheelchair is needed and plan to bring attendants, if required.
• Motorized vehicles, such as Segways and golf carts, are not allowed.
• Accessible toilets are available throughout the park.
• A Randall’s Island campus map (including the locations of bathrooms) is available here.

To apply for press credentials, please reach out to press@nianticlabs.com.

Wireless networks can sometimes struggle under high demand. Moving to a less congested area may help to improve your mobile experience.

If you subscribe to a data plan that does not offer unlimited data, please ensure that you have sufficient data to enjoy the event.

For the best possible gameplay experience at Pokémon GO Fest 2024: New York City, we recommend attendees purchase a SIM card with coverage provided by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon.

Simply giving your device a fresh start can help to improve your wireless experience. Steps such as toggling airplane mode off and on or restarting can give your device an opportunity to re-establish your connection with the network and improve your experience.

Airplane Mode
Android
Go to Settings > Network & Internet or Connections > Airplane Mode
iOS
Go to Settings > Airplane Mode

Restart Device
Android
Press and hold the power button and volume down button > Restart
iOS
Press and hold either volume button and the side button until power-off slider appears> Slide to power off > Hold side button to turn on

5G Networks continue to evolve and offer varying levels of wireless performance. If your gameplay feels sluggish during your Park Experience, please try temporarily disabling 5G by following these steps.

Android
Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > LTE/3G/2G
iOS
Go to Settings > Cellular > Select Active SIM > Voice & Data > LTE

Enabling Data Roaming can improve your wireless experience for both international Trainers and Trainers local to the United States.

Android
Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming
iOS
Go to Settings > Cellular > SIM > Data Roaming