Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global Day 1 Goes Live Around the World
The wait is over! Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global has officially begun rolling out across different regions as Trainers worldwide dive into the first day of this year’s biggest Pokémon GO event.
Following successful in-person GO Fest celebrations in Tokyo, Chicago, and Copenhagen, the global event brings every Trainer together for a weekend packed with new Pokémon debuts, Mega Raids, exclusive research, and one of the most diverse wild encounter lineups ever seen in Pokémon GO.
Day 1 takes place on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, with each region unlocking content as the event begins in their time zone.
Zeraora Makes Its Pokémon GO Debut
The headline attraction of GO Fest 2026 is the long-awaited Pokémon GO debut of the Thunderclap Pokémon, Zeraora.
Throughout the event, Trainers will work alongside Professor Willow in a Special Research story to investigate the mysterious Mythical Pokémon before finally encountering it.
Players who previously attended GO Fest in Tokyo, Chicago, or Copenhagen and already caught Zeraora won’t receive another encounter—instead they’ll earn Zeraora Candy as their reward.
Mega Mewtwo X Arrives
One of the biggest surprises of GO Fest 2026 is the debut of Mega Mewtwo X in Pokémon GO.
Mega Mewtwo X will appear exclusively in Super Mega Raids throughout Saturday, giving Trainers their first opportunity to battle—and eventually Mega Evolve—one of the most powerful Pokémon ever introduced to the game.
Players can also choose between Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y through special branching Timed Research during the event.
Three Rotating Habitats
Like previous GO Fest events, the day is split into rotating habitats featuring different Pokémon types.
Stormfire Peaks
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Featured Types
- Fire
- Electric
- Ice
Raid Highlights
- Articuno*
- Zapdos*
- Moltres*
- Raikou*
- Entei*
- Suicune*
- Lugia*
- Mega Ampharos*
- Mega Blaziken*
- Mega Abomasnow*
Astral Tides
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Featured Types
- Water
- Ghost
- Psychic
Raid Highlights
- Uxie (Asia-Pacific)*
- Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa & India)*
- Azelf (Americas & Greenland)*
- Dialga*
- Palkia*
- Giratina (Altered Forme)*
- Giratina (Origin Forme)*
- Xerneas*
- Yveltal*
- Solgaleo
- Lunala
- Mega Alakazam*
- Mega Gengar*
- Mega Swampert*
Dragonflight Summit
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Featured Types
- Dragon
- Flying
- Rock
Raid Highlights
- Kyogre*
- Groudon*
- Rayquaza*
- Reshiram*
- Zekrom*
- Kyurem*
- Mega Pidgeot*
- Mega Aerodactyl*
- Mega Salamence*
(*Shiny available)
New Costume Pokémon
Several exclusive costume Pokémon make their debut during GO Fest.
New Hat Pikachu
- Pikachu wearing a Team Mystic Hat ✨
- Pikachu wearing a Team Valor Hat ✨
- Pikachu wearing a Team Instinct Hat ✨
In addition, the following Pokémon wearing Pikachu visors can now evolve for the first time:
- Bulbasaur ✨
- Charmander ✨
- Squirtle ✨
Special Incense Encounters
Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) can attract several exclusive Pokémon throughout the event, including:
- Every form of Unown
- Tropius ✨
- Bouffalant ✨
Complete Field Research
New Field Research rotates every hour and matches the featured habitat.
Completing tasks throughout the day is one of the best ways to encounter Pokémon from every one of the 18 Pokémon types, making this an excellent opportunity to work towards Platinum type medals.
Event Bonuses
All Trainers receive a huge selection of bonuses during GO Fest.
Event Bonuses (10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.)
- Increased wild Pokémon spawns
- Increased Shiny encounters
- Zeraora Special Research
- Branching Timed Research
- Mega Mewtwo X or Y choice
- One-hour Lure Modules
- Special Incense encounters
- Nine-hour Party Play
- Hourly themed Field Research
- Global Challenges to unlock Ultra Unlock events
All-Day Bonuses
Available from midnight until 11:59 p.m.
- Up to 9 free Raid Passes
- Up to 6 Special Trades
- Half Stardust cost for trades
- Open up to 50 Gifts
Prepare for a Busy Day
Between Mega Mewtwo X, Zeraora’s debut, rotating habitats, Legendary Raid rotations, and exclusive costume Pokémon, Day 1 of Pokémon GO Fest 2026 offers one of the busiest schedules in the event’s history.
Whether you’re hunting Shinies, completing Special Research, or taking on as many Legendary Raids as possible, there’s something for every Trainer during this year’s global celebration.
With Day 2 still to come—including even more surprises—Pokémon GO Fest 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the franchise’s biggest events yet.
