Title
PROVISIONAL APPROVAL FOR SPECIAL EVENTS & AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A MULTI-YEAR PERMIT AGREEMENT WITH NIANTIC TO HOLD POKEMON GO FEST IN GRANT PARK
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
Pursuant to Chapter VII, Section C.3.c of the Code of the Chicago Park District, it is recommended that the Board of Commissioners review and make a determination of provisional approval or denial for special event permit applications with an attendance of 10,000 or more per day. It is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or his designee enter into a multi-year permit agreement with Niantic to hold Pokémon GO Fest in Grant Park.
II. Information
Parties: Niantic
Contract Type: Multi-year permit agreement
Contract Term: One (1) year (2026) with an option to extend for an additional 1 year (2027)
Contract Fees: Permit Fee:
2026 - $1,044,488
2027 - $1,065,377
Capital Contribution: Niantic will contribute an additional 10% of the permit fee to the “give back to the parks” to fund to capital improvements in Grant Park.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement. Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement and the related extension options and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement and keep an original copy of the Agreement on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating
Fiscal Year: 2026-2027
Source of Funds: n/a
IV. Explanation
Pokémon GO Fest has had three successful events on Chicago Park District property in 2017-2019 in Lincoln Park and Grant Park. Niantic has hosted events in other cities domestic and international. Pokémon GO Fest is a family friendly event that welcomes everyone. It will feature local food vendors, merchandise sales and activations. Grant Park will remain open and accessible to the general public during the activation. Drawing attendance of approximately 40,000 people per day, this event has a proven success record both here and at locations around the globe.
Based on these successes, the Chicago Park District and Niantic wish to enter into a multi-year Agreement to produce the event for Chicago residents and visitors.
Key elements of the agreement include:
• The festival area will be within Grant Park, unless alternative location otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties.
• Paid attendance at the festival shall not exceed 40,000 people per day unless otherwise mutually agreed to by the parties.
• Niantic shall be responsible for organizing, producing and holding the event and for the payment of all related costs and expenses, including all reasonable costs related to repairing and restoring the event area to its pre-event condition.
• Niantic will pay fees as detailed above in consideration of the Agreement.
• Niantic will contribute an additional 10% of the permit fee to the “give back to the parks” to fund to capital improvements in Grant Park.
• Niantic will provide 100 GA tickets (or equivalent) per day each year for Park District use (e.g., to raffle for summer program funds).
• No perimeter fencing, open footprint with the exception of back of house areas.
• 2026 event dates June 5-7.
• 2027 event dates TBD.
• No alcohol.
• No live music.
• The Agreement will contain termination provisions standard in all such Park District agreements.
Over the life of the Agreement, including extension, the fees to the Park District will total $2,320,851. Of this amount $410,986 will fund improvements in Grant Park.
V. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The agreement shall contain a provision requiring compliance with the Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District ("Governmental Ethics").
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to Section 17(i) of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). All agreements authorized herein shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.