Pokemon Go is a brand new game, but a lot of its pieces were already developed in Niantic’s previous game, Ingress. All of the Pokestops and Gyms that you see around the map were put there long ago by Ingress payers, who were able to submit requests to Niantic to add something near them as a portal in the game. Now Pokemon Go players can get in on the action, with Niantic opening up Pokestop requests on their website. We’re gonna walk you through how to request a Pokestop or Gym near you in Pokemon Go.
To do this simply click here to go to the official request form on Niantic’s website. Fill it out and your request will be sent in. You’ll need to have the requisite information, with GPS coordinates if possible. Try to snap a good picture of the area, focusing on some sort of landmark that isn’t business related. Under “Reason” be sure to select “Pokestop/Gym does not exist”.
Once you’ve made your submission Niantic will review it, though it seems like they aren’t doing so at this exact moment. Still, getting your request in early should do wonders, as long as it is a legitimate request. They aren’t going to add a Pokestop or Gym next to your house in Pokemon Go just cause you want it.
The rules aren’t laid out just yet, but you should be able to figure it out from the current Pokestops and Gyms around you. Churches are fair game, and any government building. Also there seems to be a focus on monuments, statues, and other pieces of large art. Restaurants even work a lot of the time, but try to find something unique about it. McDonalds in the middle of nowhere doesn’t really need a Pokestop.
And that’s it, with any luck a Pokestop or Gym should appear in Pokemon Go whenever Niantic gets the time to review your submission and decide on its merit.
