Go Fest 2026: Global stands out as the biggest Pokémon Go event of the year, notable not only for its importance but also for the wide range of activities it includes. After all, it celebrates the tenth anniversary of Pokémon Go. Even better, this year’s Go Fest Global is completely free for everyone—so you can enjoy every bonus, complete each research task, and go all in on shiny hunting. The main highlight is the highly anticipated debut of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.
On this page:
Pokémon Go Fest 2026 start time: When is Go Fest 2026 Global?
The Go Fest 2026: Global event is set to run on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th, 2026. It will start at 10am (local time) and wrap up at 7pm (local time) on both days.
And here’s the best part: Go Fest 2026: Global is free for everyone. That’s right—this is the first time every Pokémon Go player can access the full Go Fest Global lineup without paying a thing. Enjoy every Habitat Hour, meet Zeraora via the Special Research quest, and jump into battles featuring both Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y at no cost. Of course, this is only a preview of what’s coming during this year’s Go Fest Global—keep scrolling to learn more.
The Flying Taxi event is ongoing, bringing Squawkabilly—including all its different forms—to Pokémon Go! The Forever Forward season has kicked off, so it’s a good idea to review the June event schedule. Go Fest 2026: Global is right around the corner!
There’s plenty more to do in Pokémon Go beyond the current event. Whether you’re into the Go Battle League, Remote Trading, PokéStop Showcase, Routes, or Max Battles, there’s something for every kind of trainer. While you’re out there, be sure to look out for rare Pokémon!
Pokémon Go Fest 2026 activities
Below you’ll find a full rundown of the activities included in Go Fest 2026: Global. Further down, I’ll break down the major parts of the event and go through the bonuses you can expect during it.
- Worldwide debut of Mega Mewtwo X and Y in Super Mega Battles.
- Zeraora Special Research quest.
- A branching Timed Research quest centered on Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.
- Habitat Hours, with three separate Habitat Hours on both days.
- Field Research Tasks tied to each Habitat Hour.
- Global Challenges.
- Three new costume Pikachus.
- Kanto starter visor variations of Pikachu will be able to evolve.
- All legendary Pokémon released previously will show up in five-star raids, with the Pokémon split across both days.
- Some of the strongest Mega Evolutions will be featured in Mega Raids.
- All Unown forms, plus Tropius and Bouffalant, will be available through Incense encounters.
- A variety of bonuses will be active across both days. Check the dedicated section for full details.
Mega Mewtwo X and Y
Let’s start with the most exciting update: the global debut of Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. They were first teased back in 2021, when they appeared in the fifth anniversary artwork. Since then, Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y have stayed on many players’ “Most Wanted” lists. But it wasn’t until May 2026 that they appeared in-game for the first time during the Go Fest 2026: Tokyo event.
With Go Fest 2026: Global, everyone—yes, even you—will get the chance to add these incredibly strong Mega Evolutions to their collection. The catch is that you’ll have to defeat them in a Super Mega Raid to earn their Mega Energy. Also note that you’ll need two separate energy types—Mewtwo Mega Energy X and Mewtwo Mega Energy Y—so you’ll likely need to raid quite a bit if you want both.
The good news is that any Mewtwo you capture in a Super Mega Raid during the event will already have at least one Mega Level activated. There’s also a chance you could get lucky and find one with Mega Level 2 or Mega Level 3 switched on from the start.
Mega Mewtwo X arrives on Saturday, July 11th, while Mega Mewtwo Y is available through Super Mega Raids on Sunday, July 12th.
Research quests, including Zeraora Special Research
Go Fest 2026: Global introduces two research quests. The first is the Zeraora Special Research quest, which tasks you with catching the legendary Zeraora. This quest won’t have a time limit, so you can finish it whenever it suits you. If you took part in one of the live Go Fest events in Tokyo, Chicago, or Copenhagen this year, you’ll receive Zeraora Candy from this quest instead of getting a second Zeraora.
The second quest is a branching Timed Research. In this one, you’ll be able to choose between Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y. It’s a great option if you’d rather not tackle them through the Super Mega Raids. Just remember—this quest will be cancelled if you don’t complete it by the deadline, and once you decide, you can’t change your selection.
Habitat Hours
No Go Fest would be complete without Habitat Hours—but this year they work a little differently than in previous events. Rather than focusing on specific Pokémon, the Habitat Hours for Go Fest 2026: Global will revolve around particular types. Each Habitat Hour will spotlight three types, letting you encounter any Pokémon that belongs to those three types during that window. (Personally, I still prefer the Pokémon-specific Habitat Hours, since they make the catching focus feel more direct.)
In total, there will be six Habitat Hours: three on Saturday and three on Sunday. Here’s the schedule, along with the types highlighted for each one:
| Saturday, July 11th | Sunday, July 12th | |
|---|---|---|
| 10am to 1pm (local time) |
Stormfire Peaks Featured types: |
Earthforged Domain Featured types: |
| 1pm to 4pm (local time) |
Astral Tides Featured types: |
Verdant Anomaly Featured types: |
| 4pm to 7pm (local time) |
Dragonflight
Summit |
Twilight Battlefield Featured types: |
Global Challenges
A series of Global Challenges will run across Go Fest Global! Everyone is able to help complete these tasks, and finishing them will unlock extra bonuses. Most importantly, this will trigger the start of upcoming Ultra Unlock events. As of this writing, no details have been released for these events, but they usually involve the debut of a new Pokémon.
New costume Pokémon
Every Go Fest Global event brings with it a range of new costume Pokémon. Let’s take a closer look at the Pikachus! (Because there’s always at least one Pikachu.)
Go Fest Global: 2026 is adding Team Instinct Hat Pikachu, Team Mystic Hat Pikachu, and Team Valor Hat Pikachu. Yes indeed—we’re getting three Pikachus at once, each styled around one of the Pokémon Go teams, which fits nicely since this Go Fest comes right after the game’s tenth anniversary.
Alongside these fresh Pikachus, you’ll finally be able to evolve the Pikachu Visor variations of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Putting all of these evolutions together gives you six new Pikachu Visor Pokémon showing up during Go Fest: Global 2026. Just be sure you have enough Candy ready to finish those evolutions.
Raids
Even without Mega Mewtwo X and Y, raids should still be plentiful during this year’s Go Fest. That’s because every legendary Pokémon released so far will show up in 5-Star raids. (The lone exception is Mewtwo, which is only obtainable by defeating either Mega Mewtwo X or Y.) The roster features both Giratina forms, Dialga and Palkia in their Origin Forme, every Incarnate and Therian form, every Deoxys Forme, and every Drive for Genesect! If you’re missing any legendary Pokémon or you want to track down shiny versions, this event is made for you.
Legendary Pokémon will be available across both Saturday and Sunday. A selection of strong Mega Evolutions will also appear in regular Mega Raids on both days.
Here’s a complete rundown of every Pokémon included in the Go Fest 2026: Global raid lineup and when they’ll be available:
Incense encounters
If you use Incense during Go Fest: Global 2026, you can run into any of the Unown forms, Tropius, and Bouffalant. Just note that this does not cover Daily Adventure Incense.
Tropius and Bouffalant are both regionally exclusive Pokémon, so this is a great chance to add them to your Pokédex if you haven’t encountered them in their usual regions yet.
Seeing every Unown form appear is even more exciting! Unowns are pretty uncommon outside of events like Go Fest, and typically only a small set of letters get boosted encounter rates. Go Fest Global: 2026, though, is the perfect moment to fill in the gaps. I know there are a few specific Unown forms I’m hoping to find, and I wouldn’t mind picking up a few additional shiny Unowns either!
Pokémon Go Fest 2026 bonuses
Across Go Fest 2026: Global, there are two categories of bonuses—one that’s available while the event is happening and another that you can claim throughout the whole weekend. Since this year’s event is free, everyone can take part, so it helps to know what to expect.
First, here are the bonuses available from Saturday, July 11th at 12 AM (local time) until 11:59 PM (local time) on Sunday, July 12th:
- Claim nine free Raid Passes each day by spinning Gym Photo Discs. (That comes to 18 free Raid Passes overall!)
- Finish six Special Trades on both days. (That’s 12 Special Trades total!)
- Stardust requirements for all trades are cut in half.
- You can open up to 50 Gifts each day.
These bonuses are available during the Go Fest Global event itself (10 AM to 7 PM local time on Saturday, July 11th and Sunday, July 12th):
- Higher odds of encountering shiny Pokémon.
- Wild spawns are boosted for the featured Pokémon type during each habitat hour.
- Using Incense will attract certain Pokémon. (Daily Adventure Incense is not included.)
- Lure Modules stay active for one hour.
- Party Play will be enabled for nine hours.
Enjoy Go Fest 2026: Global!