Pokemon Go Fest 2026: Mega Mewtwo Raids, Zeraora Special Research, Rotating Habitats, And More

Pokemon Go's global Go Fest has arrived, and this year's event is a big one. For the first time in the game's history, all players who log in during the festivities will receive access to a new Special Research that leads to an encounter with the mythical Pokemon Zeraora. That's not all that players can look forward to this weekend. Mewtwo's Mega-Evolved forms are also making their debut, and different wild Pokemon and Raid bosses will appear throughout the weekend as part of the game's rotating habitats. On top of that, the game will offer a variety of bonuses, challenges, and more this weekend. To help get you up to speed, we've rounded up everything you need to know about Pokemon Go Fest 2026 below. In This Article Pokemon Go Fest 2026 ScheduleMega Mewtwo RaidsBest Mega Mewtwo X CountersBest Mega Mewtwo Y CountersZeraora Special ResearchRotating HabitatsJuly 11Stormfire PeaksAstral TidesDragonflight SummitJuly 12Earthforged DomainVerdant AnomalyTwilight BattlefieldBonuses Pokemon Go Fest 2026 Schedule This year's global Pokemon Go Fest takes place on July 10 and 11. The event kicks off each day at 10 AM local time and runs until 7 PM local time. Unlike previous Go Fests, which restricted access to certain content behind a paid ticket, this year's event will be completely free for all players. Anyone who logs in to the game during the event days will receive the Zeraora Special Research and be able to take advantage of the full slate of event bonuses, including increased odds of encountering shiny Pokemon. Mega Mewtwo Raids Making their debut during this year's Go Fest are Mewtwo's two Mega-Evolved forms: Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Each will appear as Super Mega Raid bosses throughout both days of the event, making this your first chance to battle them and earn Mewtwo Mega Energy. Like standard Mewtwo, Mega Mewtwo Y is a pure psychic Pokemon, so you can employ the same strategy when challenging one. Mega Mewtwo X, however, is a psychic/fighting type, so it will require a different approach than the other Mewtwo forms. Here are some recommended counters to help you topple the new Raid bosses: Best Mega Mewtwo X Counters Fairy PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega GardevoirPsychic/FairyCharmDazzling GleamXerneasFairyGeomancyMoonblastTapu LelePsychic/FairyAstonishNature's MadnessCrowned Sword ZacianFairy/SteelMetal ClawPlay RoughEnamorusFairy/FlyingFairy WindDazzling Gleam Ghost PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackGiratinaGhost/DragonShadow ClawShadow ForceChandelureGhost/FireHexShadow BallLunalaPsychic/GhostShadow ClawShadow BallDragapultDragon/GhostAstonishShadow BallGholdengoGhost/SteelHexShadow Ball Best Mega Mewtwo Y Counters Dark PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega HoundoomFire/DarkSnarlFoul PlayMega TyranitarRock/DarkBiteBrutal SwingMega AbsolDarkSnarlBrutal SwingDarkraiDarkSnarlShadow BallHydreigonDragon/DarkBiteBrutal Swing Bug PokemonTypeFast AttackCharged AttackMega PinsirBug/FlyingFury CutterX-ScissorMega ScizorBug/SteelFury CutterX-ScissorEscavalierBug/SteelBug BiteMegahornVolcaronaBug/FireBug BiteBug BuzzGenesectBug/SteelFury CutterX-Scissor Zeraora Special Research In addition to Mewtwo's Mega forms, the mythical Zeraora officially arrives during this year's Go Fest. The Thunderclap Pokemon will be the star of a new Special Research, which all players will receive upon logging in to the game during the event. Complete the Research's various tasks and you'll eventually unlock an encounter with Zeraora, making this your only way to get one so far in Pokemon Go. Like other Special Research stories, this questline does not expire, so you can take as long as you need to work your way through the tasks. As mentioned, however, you will need to log in to the game before Pokemon Go Fest ends to secure the Special Research. Rotating Habitats Like previous years, Pokemon Go Fest will feature several virtual habitats that will rotate every few hours. Depending upon which habitat is active, different types of Pokemon will spawn in the wild, and a different assortment of legendary and Mega Pokemon will appear in Gyms as Raid bosses. You can see the full habitat schedule, along with a list of Pokemon that will be available while each one is active, below: July 11 Stormfire Peaks Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time Featured types Ice Electric Fire Five-star Raids Articuno Zapdos Moltres Raikou Entei Suicune Lugia Ho-Oh Mega Raids Mega Ampharos Mega Blaziken Mega Abomasnow Astral Tides Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time Featured types Psychic Ghost Water Five-star Raids Uxie (Asia-Pacific region) Mesprit (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India) Azelf (Americas and Greenland) Dialga Palkia Altered Forme Giratina Origin Forme Giratina Xerneas Yveltal Solgaleo Lunala Mega Raids Mega Alakazam Mega Gengar Mega Swampert Dragonflight Summit Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time Featured types Flying Rock Dragon Five-star Raids Kyogre Groudon Rayquaza Reshiram Zekrom Kyurem Mega Raids Mega Pidgeot Mega Aerodactyl Mega Salamence July 12 Earthforged Domain Runs 10 AM to 1 PM local time Featured types Ground Steel Normal Five-star Raids Regirock Regice Registeel Origin Forme Dialga Origin Forme Palkia Heatran Regigigas Incarnate Forme Tornadus Therian Forme Tornadus Incarnate Forme Thundurus Therian Forme Thundurus Incarnate Forme Landorus Therian Forme Landorus Regieleki Regidrago Incarnate Forme Enamorus Therian Forme Enamorus Mega Raids Mega Metagross Mega Garchomp Mega Audino Verdant Anomaly Runs 1 PM to 4 PM local time Featured types Poison Bug Grass Five-star Raids Normal Forme Deoxys Attack Forme Deoxys Defense Forme Deoxys Speed Forme Deoxys Genesect Douse Drive Genesect Shock Drive Genesect Burn Drive Genesect Chill Drive Genesect Tapu Koko Tapu Lele Tapu Bulu Tapu Fini Nihilego Buzzwole (Americas and Greenland) Pheromosa (Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India Xurkitree (Asia-Pacific region) Celesteela (Southern Hemisphere) Kartana (Northern Hemisphere) Guzzlord Necrozma Stakataka (Eastern Hemisphere) Blacephalon (Western Hemisphere) Mega Raids Mega Beedrill Mega Pinsir Mega Sceptile Twilight Battlefield Runs 4 PM to 7 PM local time Featured types Dark Fairy Fighting Five-star Raids Latias Latios Cresselia Darkrai Cobalion Terrakion Virizion Zacian (Hero of Many Battles form) Zamazenta (Hero of Many Battles form) Mega Raids Mega Tyranitar Mega Gardevoir Mega Lucario Bonuses Like other events, a slew of bonuses will be active throughout Pokemon Go Fest 2026, including increased shiny rates and extra free Raid Passes. You can see the full list of bonuses below: Increased chance of encountering shiny Pokemon Lure Modules will last for one hour Incense will attract special Pokemon Different themed Field Research tasks will be available every hour Global Challenges will unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events Receive up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning the Photo Disc at Gyms Make up to six Special Trades Trades will cost 50 percent less Stardust Open up to 50 gifts each day Pokemon Go has plenty more events lined up this month beyond Go Fest 2026, including a special anniversary Pikachu celebration and a Super Mega Raid Day featuring both forms of Mega Raichu. You can see what else is happening in the game over the next few weeks in our July events roundup.