Ethan Crossfield 
Pokemon's 30th-anniversary celebrations are expanding beyond ports and commemorative releases, with a major connectivity update arriving for Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. On October 7, 2026, players who complete the Kanto Pokedex in either game will be eligible to receive a free level 50 Celebi through Pokemon Home. The reward gives collectors a new reason to revisit the Gen 3 remakes while also opening a long-requested path for moving their Pokemon into Home.
How the Free Celebi Reward Works
Pokemon Home support for FireRed and LeafGreen is scheduled to launch on October 7, 2026. Players do not need to complete a separate challenge or enter a code. Once the Kanto Pokedex is completed in either version, the progress will be registered automatically in Pokemon Home, and the reward will be available on the mobile version of the service.
The requirement covers the Kanto Pokemon found in FireRed and LeafGreen, but Mew is excluded because it cannot be obtained through the games' normal available roster. Progress is shared across both versions, so players using FireRed and LeafGreen will not need to treat them as entirely separate collections for this reward.
Home Support Also Changes Storage and Transfers
The October update is more than a distribution event. Pokemon Home Premium users will see their storage capacity increase from 6,000 Pokemon to 9,000, giving long-term collectors considerably more room for their libraries.
Pokemon can also be transferred from FireRed and LeafGreen into Home. That movement is irreversible, however, and the transfer system does not allow Pokemon from other games to be sent back into the Gen 3 remakes. Players should therefore review their collections carefully before confirming a transfer.
Gen 3's Missing Pieces Remain a Major Question
The update arrives as fans continue to speculate about Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions of Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald. Those games are important to completing the wider Gen 3 Pokedex, making their absence especially noticeable once FireRed and LeafGreen are connected to Pokemon Home.
A viral clip shared by the official Pokemon account in Japan showed Gen 3 games being played on a modern console or emulator, adding fuel to the speculation. It does not confirm new ports, but the timing has encouraged fans to view such releases as increasingly plausible rather than guaranteed.
Key points
- A free level 50 Celebi becomes available in Pokemon Home on October 7, 2026.
- Players must complete the FireRed or LeafGreen Kanto Pokedex, excluding Mew.
- The reward is redeemable through Pokemon Home on mobile, with progress recorded automatically.
- Premium Home storage will rise to 9,000 Pokemon, while transfers from FRLG remain one-way.
Confirmed Pokemon Home details
| Feature | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Celebi reward | Level 50 Celebi for completing the Kanto Pokedex |
| Availability | October 7, 2026 |
| Redemption | Pokemon Home mobile |
| Storage | Premium capacity increases from 6,000 to 9,000 Pokemon |
| Transfers | FRLG to Home only; transfers cannot be reversed |
Expert View
The update strengthens Pokemon Home as the central destination for players maintaining collections across generations, while the larger Premium capacity gives dedicated collectors a practical benefit beyond the Celebi reward. It also highlights the current gap in Gen 3 support: FireRed and LeafGreen are being connected, but Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald remain unconfirmed. If those games eventually receive modern ports, they could complete the anniversary-era Gen 3 ecosystem. For now, fans have a confirmed October update and a clearer reason to finish their Kanto Pokedexes, but no official announcement for the remaining Gen 3 titles.
