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The latest Machop-focused Pokémon GO Community Day Classic took place on May 24, 2025, and has ended. During that event, evolving Machoke by May 31 at 10:00 p.m. local time earned a Machamp with Payback. Niantic also featured Machop in the original January 2021 Community Day and in its December 2025 Community Day announcement, so the dates and event windows matter when checking older advice.
When was Machop Community Day?
Niantic scheduled the 2025 Community Day Classic for Saturday, May 24, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. local time. Machop appeared more frequently in the wild. Niantic said a Shiny Machop was possible, but did not publish a shiny encounter rate. Niantic’s May 2025 event announcement
This was a Classic return, not the original Machop Community Day. The first event was held in January 2021; its evolution window and event bonuses were different.
How did the May 2025 event work?
Featured move: Payback
Evolving Machoke into Machamp from the event’s 2:00 p.m. start on May 24 through May 31, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time produced a Machamp that knew the Charged Attack Payback. Niantic listed Payback at 110 power in Trainer Battles and 95 power in Gyms and raids. Those are the official power figures, not a comparison of how well it performs against Machamp’s other moves.
Bonuses and activities
- 3× Catch Stardust.
- Lure Modules lasted three hours.
- Incense lasted three hours, except Daily Adventure Incense.
- Taking snapshots could trigger a surprise.
- Themed Field Research offered rewards including Stardust, Great Balls, and Machop encounters.
These were the bonuses listed for the May 2025 Classic, not the 2021 event. Niantic’s May 2025 event announcement
Timed Research and the optional ticket
Players who logged in during Community Day received a week-long Timed Research opportunity. It offered an encounter with a Machop featuring a Might and Mastery–themed Special Background, and Niantic described an increased Shiny chance for completing the tasks without stating a rate. Tasks had to be completed and rewards claimed by May 31, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time.
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- The Machamp Sitting Cuties Plush is weighted with microbeads, so it sits up when you put it on a flat surface. This palm-sized plush is a fun, charming way to show off a favorite Fighting-type Pokémon originally discovered in Kanto!
- Sits up easily on a desk, shelf, or other flat surface
- Care Instructions: Surface Wash Only
- Item Dimensions: 3.5 x 6.5 x 6.5 inches (8.8 x 16.5 x 16.5 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
Niantic also listed optional ticketed Special Research for US$1.99 or the equivalent local pricing tier. Its listed rewards included a Premium Battle Pass, Rare Candy XL, additional Machop encounters, and three encounters with Machop featuring a Seasonal Special Background. This was a historical offer; its ticket and research are not available through the concluded event. Niantic stated that tickets were nonrefundable, subject to applicable law and Terms of Service exceptions. Niantic’s May 2025 event announcement
How does the 2021 event differ from the 2025 Classic?
| Detail | January 2021 Community Day | May 2025 Community Day Classic |
|---|---|---|
| Event schedule | January 2021; the announcement’s exact local hours are not stated here. Niantic, January 2021 | May 24, 2025, 2:00–5:00 p.m. local time. Niantic, May 2025 |
| Payback evolution deadline | During the event or up to two hours afterward. Niantic, January 2021 | From event start until May 31, 2025, at 10:00 p.m. local time. Niantic, May 2025 |
| Bonuses | Not stated in the cited event detail here. Niantic, January 2021 | 3× Catch Stardust, three-hour Lures, and three-hour Incense other than Daily Adventure Incense. Niantic, May 2025 |
| Ticketed Special Research | Not stated in the cited event detail here. Niantic, January 2021 | US$1.99 or equivalent local pricing tier. Niantic, May 2025 |
The 2021 announcement said Machoke could be evolved during that event or up to two hours afterward to obtain Payback on Machamp. Do not apply that older deadline to the 2025 Classic, which had its own May 31 deadline. Niantic’s January 2021 announcement
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Special training has brought huge gains for Machamp—check out those biceps! With a press of its legs, this plush's four arms flex up and down to show off Machamp's moves.
- Squeeze Machamp's legs to make its arms move up and down
- Care Instructions: Surface wash only.
- Item Dimensions: 4.3 x 13 x 9.8 inches (10.9 x 33 x 24.8 cm)
- Pokémon Center Original
Can you get Payback on Machamp now?
Machop and Payback Machamp appeared again in Niantic’s December 2025 Community Day announcement, which described another opportunity to evolve Machoke for Payback. That event has also concluded. Niantic’s December 2025 Community Day announcement
Pokémon GO’s Help Center says featured Community Day attacks can be learned by evolving during the event and are added to the Elite TM afterward. It does not confirm Payback’s present availability or name the next opportunity to obtain it. Check current official event announcements for a new time-limited evolution window. Pokémon GO Help Center: Community Day
Quick Recap
Best Value
- POKÉMON PLUSH: Choose to cuddle Charizard, the Flame Pokémon
- SPECIAL MATERIAL: Snuggly 12-inch Pokémon plush is made with super soft material
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS: Charizard looks like it jumped out of the Pokémon Animated Series
- TEAM BUILDING: Collect other 12-inch Pokémon plush and build your own unique team
- OFFICIAL PRODUCT: Officially licensed Pokémon product from Jazwares
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