Pokémon GO Sponsorship: How Much Do Companies Pay to Lure Players?
Pokémon GO, the wildly popular augmented reality game, has become a popular choice for companies seeking to attract foot traffic. But the exact cost of sponsoring locations within the game has been a subject of debate.
Niantic, the game’s developer, claims that sponsors pay less than $0.50 per unique daily visitor to sponsored locations. This figure was confirmed by the company after initial reports suggested the cost was $0.15 per visitor.
These sponsored locations transform into “gyms” and “PokéStops” within the game, offering players virtual rewards and encouraging them to visit these locations in the real world. Companies like McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Sprint have all partnered with Niantic, hoping to leverage the game’s popularity to boost in-store traffic.

The success of these sponsorships underscores the potential of augmented reality games to drive foot traffic and generate revenue for businesses. However, the cost of these partnerships can be significant. The effectiveness of these campaigns also relies on the ongoing popularity of the game and the ability to attract players consistently.

