A dedicated Pokemon GO player has reportedly had her own home approved as an official PokeStop, giving her the unique ability to gather items and complete in-game objectives directly from her property. PokeStops are key points of interest in Pokemon GO, usually located at landmarks, public spaces, or notable community areas, making this achievement especially rare.
Players who reach level 35 or higher are eligible to nominate locations for new PokeStops via the game’s upload feature. Niantic, the developer of Pokemon GO, maintains strict guidelines for these nominations. Typically, submissions must be publicly accessible, permanently located, and cannot be private residences. Despite these rules, Reddit user Spirited-Manager-81 shared an image of a newly approved PokeStop at a friend’s house. The home was classified as a historic location, once owned by a former legislator, which allowed it to bypass the usual restrictions on private property.
This case highlights a rare loophole that some players might take inspiration from, though it remains an exception rather than a common occurrence. According to Niantic’s official guidance, the company evaluates the significance of a site, its accessibility, and whether it contributes positively to the in-game map. Historic homes, public art installations, or small businesses with community impact sometimes qualify, which explains why this particular residence was approved.
While the story has generated excitement in the Pokemon GO community, players are cautioned against assuming that their homes could easily become PokeStops. Many players have attempted to nominate private residences only to have their submissions rejected or even face temporary account suspensions for repeatedly attempting invalid nominations. Niantic also retains the right to remove Waypoints at any time if they fail to meet evolving safety and accessibility standards.
In addition to providing in-game convenience, having a PokeStop at home may foster social interactions among local players. It could become a gathering point for team-based activities, raids, and community events. As such, some community members have begun exploring ways to legitimately nominate points of interest in their neighborhoods, emphasizing public spaces or historically significant landmarks.
Ultimately, this unusual example serves as a reminder of the creativity and dedication within the Pokemon GO player base. While Niantic’s rules are strict, clever players who understand the guidelines and highlight unique, publicly meaningful locations may occasionally achieve similar success. For now, Spirited-Manager-81’s friend enjoys the convenience and prestige of having a personal PokeStop, making it one of the most talked-about stories in the game this year.
