Update (12th September): Scopely Explore has officially commented on the reduction in Team Go Rocket balloons through its Scopely Support account on X.
Calling the change "an intentional adjustment", it added that the frequency may increase during Taken Over weeks and other events, before adding: "We appreciate you sharing your input with us, and we are actively passing your feedback along as we continue to monitor the update."
Trainers, we'd like to confirm that the reduced frequency of Team GO Rocket balloons is an intentional adjustment. Please note that balloon frequency may still increase during Team GO Rocket takeovers or other events. We appreciate you sharing your input with us, and we are…
— Scopely Explore Support (@ScopelyExplore) September 11, 2026
Original story (10th September): Team Go Rocket balloons are now only appearing once per day in Pokémon Go.
As of Tuesday, 8th September's new 'Twilight Trails' season, the community observed balloons - a feature which allows players to encounter Team Go Rocket Grunts from their location without having to visit a PokéStop - were no longer spawning multiple times per day.
Previous adjustments to Team Go Rocket features - such as Giovanni's removal from balloon spawns earlier in the year - have been communicated by developer Scopely Explore in a blog post, whereas this appears to be downgraded on the quiet.
It is, however, planned: when asked whether balloons showing less often was a bug or a schedule change, a discussion with Scopely Support in-game confirmed to One More Catch it was "working as intended" as part of the new season.
The move has lead to frustrated posts from the community, with requests to reverse it, and some worry about what will be changed next.
So seeing that Team GO Rocket Balloons are now once a day. That is not how you run a game; if you want to incentivise people to go explore, you give extras...you don't take away How many times do I need to say this? Come on Scopely Explore, revert it.
— Joe Merrick (@joemerrick.bsky.social) 16:56 · Sep 9, 2026
Team Go Rocket encounters have seen several changes this year. As well as the aforementioned removal of Giovanni from balloons, Giovanni's Special Research quests are no more, with the Super Rocket Radar item they previously unlocked now available as part of event-specific Go Passes - with one up for grabs instantly by purchasing the premium Deluxe track.
Matthew Reynolds
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