Why are Ultra Wormholes appearing in Pokémon Go?

Don't get too close.
Nihilego spawning from an Ultra Wormhole in front of several Pokemon Go players.
Image via Niantic

After being introduced in June 2022 as a way to bring Ultra Beasts into Pokémon Go, Ultra Wormholes have become a somewhat frequent spectacle to encounter while playing the game. But just seeing one doesn’t really tell new players what they do. 

Recommended Videos

Each year, Niantic tends to use Pokémon Go Fest as a way to overhaul or add certain features to the game to excite fans and get older players to pick the game back up to try something new. For Go Fest 2022 that meant working in Ultra Beasts to the raid rotation and explaining their appearance in a way that makes sense with the franchise’s lore. 

As a result, Ultra Wormholes were added to Pokémon Go and signify when and where players can encounter Ultra Beasts in the game. 

What do Ultra Wormholes do in Pokémon Go

In Pokémon lore, Ultra Wormholes act as a gateway into Ultra Space, a world entirely different from our own that houses many mysterious beings—including Ultra Beasts. These creatures are appearing in our world using these Ultra Wormholes, but players are advised to approach them with caution since they can be very dangerous. 

In Pokémon Go, Niantic has turned these Ultra Wormholes into the entry points for raids that feature Ultra Beasts. In this instance, they replace the Raid Eggs that typically spawn the Raid Boss at Gyms when it is time for a raid to begin.

Related: How to reach all ranks in the Pokémon Go Battle League

Interacting with an Ultra Wormhole in the overworld will queue you up for a raid just like any normal Gym interaction. It is just a visual difference to give Ultra Beast raids a unique feel.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more
related content
Read Article Best moveset for Shadow Feraligatr in Pokémon Go
Feraligatr in Pokémon Go
Read Article Best moveset for Shadow Pidgeot in Pokémon Go
Pidgeot in Pokemon Go
Read Article A Pokémon Go glitch is giving players a mysterious item, and no one knows what it does
strange new item in pogo
Related Content
Read Article Best moveset for Shadow Feraligatr in Pokémon Go
Feraligatr in Pokémon Go
Read Article Best moveset for Shadow Pidgeot in Pokémon Go
Pidgeot in Pokemon Go
Read Article A Pokémon Go glitch is giving players a mysterious item, and no one knows what it does
strange new item in pogo
Author
Cale Michael
Lead Staff Writer for Dota 2, the FGC, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more who has been writing for Dot Esports since 2018. Graduated with a degree in Journalism from Oklahoma Christian University and also previously covered the NBA. You can usually find him writing, reading, or watching an FGC tournament.