However what is different is that this is the first event to be leaked, approx 10 days before it's due to become active. This leak comes courtesy of @TeamEeveelution on Twitter and whilst rumours are rumours and I don't generally read too much into them these guys have been right on quite a number of things in Pokemon Go long before they were supposed to actually be announced. The below is the supposedly official Niantic summary of the event which we aren't really supposed to have seen yet:-
"Trainers,OK so an increase in the number of fire type Pokemon will be more than welcome to most especially those who don't a) have a charizard or at least b) don't have a charizard with decent stats... and as usual it'll be great to see more of Pokémon who might be extremely rare in our areas (I've never even seen a Houndours outline, let alone a Houndour!). Being specific here are the Pokémon you can expect to see more of should this event materialise:-
With summer quickly approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and winter approaching in the Southern Hemisphere, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the upcoming solstices than with a Fire-type and Ice-type Pokémon GO event.
From 1:00 P.M. PDT on June 13 to 1:00 P.M. PDT on June 20, 2017, Trainers around the world will discover more Charmander, Cyndaquil, Growlithe, Houndour, Ponyta, Swinub, Vulpix, and their Evolutions. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Sneasel, Magmar, Cloyster, and other Fire types and Ice types!
It’s time to perfect your Poké Ball throws, Trainers! Throughout the event, you’ll receive huge XP bonuses for successfully catching Pokémon with Nice, Great, and Excellent Throws, as well as Curveballs and First Throws. Additionally, as you walk around your neighborhoods or discover new sights, you’ll earn even more XP for hatching Eggs. To help you take advantage of these awesome XP bonuses, Lucky Eggs will be 50% off in the in-game shop.
Get ready to explore the world around you—there are even more exciting updates coming your way soon!
—The Pokémon GO team"
Fire types
- Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard
- Vulpix, Ninetails
- Growlithe, Arcanine
- Ponyta, Rapidash
- Magmar
- Flareon
- Cyndaquil, Quilava, Typhlosion
- Slugma, Magcargo
- Houndoor, Houndoom
Ice types
- Dewgong
- Cloyster
- Jynx
- Lapras
- Sneasel
- Swinub, Piloswine
But Niantic (if it truly is written by them) have been quite specific about where you'll be getting XP bonuses ... and theres no mention of evolutions. So if like myself you have been collecting candies for months waiting for the next generic double XP event you are probably going to be a little disappointed.
That aside though these events do add that little extra excitement and motivation to log into the game, so I for one am looking forward to it! Let's remember this is a rumour but it's a very very specific rumour from a pretty credible source working with some very good form.... looks to me like Team Eeveelution have someone on the inside... ;-)