GO Battle League

GO Battle League is a feature in Pokémon GO that allows trainers to battle opponents around the globe in online Trainer Battles. The feature is released on January, 2020. It is only available to Trainers level 10 and up.

Entering GO Battle League
To access GO Battle League in game:
 * 1) in Map View touch Main Menu button [[file:Button Main Menu.png|30px|link=]]
 * 2) touch Battle button

Participation in GO Battle League requires unlocking a GO Battle League set, which grants you access to play a series of 5 matches. Your first set is free, and you can unlock future sets by walking 3 km.

When you do not want to walk, a "Battle Now" button will appear, giving you the option to unlock one set by spending 100 PokéCoins. The cost will reduce if as you approach the goal.

You can view your progress towards earning a set on the Battle page, plus you'll receive an in-app notification and see a red dot on the Main Menu's Battle button when you’ve unlocked a set. Trainers can only unlock a maximum of 3 sets per day.

Rewards
Before beginning a set, pick the type of rewards you wish to receive (Basic Rewards or Premium Rewards) before searching for a match. You must exchange a Premium Battle Pass to receive Premium Rewards.

Ranks and Ratings
Rank is a measure how many matches you've played and/or won. Once you attain a new rank, you cannot drop below it for the rest of the season. Reaching rank 7 can see your rating. Losses do not affect rank but lower matchmaking rating. Ending a season with a higher rank results in better end-of-season rewards.

Only playing the GO Battle League global matching system influences the GO Battle League Rank.

Higher ranks include Pokémon rewarded in lower ranks. Snorlax is the first guaranteed and Scraggy is the first encounter in rank 4.

Development
Battling has been a core part of the Pokémon universe since the very beginning. This new feature that will build upon Trainer Battles, the current form of player vs. player battling that exists within Pokémon GO. Like many Pokémon GO features, GO Battle League will encourage players to get out and explore the world with Pokémon. Trainers will be able to walk in order to earn entry into the GO Battle League, then battle opponents from around the globe through an online matching system and rise in the ranks of the league. This feature should make the Pokémon GO battling experience more competitive and accessible to more Trainers.

Videos
A special Dev Insights video will be released shortly.

Trivia

 * Initially, unlocking a set required to walk 5 km and at least 2 km was needed first to unlock via PokéCoins.