The Pokémon GO September 2026 events schedule is here! In September, featured Pokémon are Mega Victreebel, Mega Malamar and Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus. A variety of different Pokémon will be featured throughout the month, and there is a whole host of in-game events to look forward to!
Here are all the major events happening in September 2026 in Pokémon GO, as well as details on Raid Hours, Max Battles, Community Days, Spotlight Hours, and Research Breakthroughs you can enjoy this month. We are currently in the Twilight Trails Season.
Pokémon GO September 2026 Event Calendar
| Event | Info |
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Tier 5 Raids during September 2026
Raid Bosses change at 10:00 a.m. on these dates.
| Dates | Raid Bosses | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| August 26 – September 8 | ||
| September 9 – 15 |
Hero Zacian
|
Zacian |
| September 16 – 22 |
Hero Zamazenta
|
Zamazenta |
| September 23 – 29 | ||
| September 30 – October 6 |
Xerneas
|
Xerneas |
Shadow Raids in September
Shadow Altered Forme Giratina will appear in Shadow Raids during weekends from August 5 to September 8!
Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus will appear in Shadow Raids during weekends from September 9 to October 6!
Mega Raids during September 2026
Here’s the full September line-up for Pokémon GO Mega Raids.
| Dates | Mega Boss | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| August 26 – September 8 |
Mega Gyarados
|
Mega Gyarados |
| September 8 – 15 |
Mega Beedrill
|
Mega Beedrill |
| September 11 – 16 |
Mega Houndoom
|
Mega Houndoom |
| September 16 – 22 |
Mega Venusaur
|
Mega Venusaur |
| September 23 – 29 |
Mega Malamar
|
Mega Malamar |
| September 30 – October 6 |
Mega Victreebel
|
Mega Victreebel |
September Raid Hours
Here is the complete September 2026 Raid Hours schedule. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, the following Pokémon will be featured in Five Star Raids on these dates in September:
| Date | Pokémon | Guides |
|---|---|---|
| September 2 | ||
| September 9 |
Hero Zacian
|
Zacian |
| September 16 |
Hero Zamazenta
|
Zamazenta |
| September 23 | ||
| September 30 |
Xerneas
|
Xerneas |
September 2026 Max Battles
These Dynamax Pokémon may appear in Max Battles throughout September. They will also take over Power Spots for an hour each week on Mondays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time!
| Dates | Pokémon in Max Battles |
|---|---|
| August 31 – September 6 |
Eevee
Dynamax
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| September 7 – 13 |
Ralts
Dynamax
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| September 14 – 20 |
Rhyhorn
Dynamax
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| September 21 – 27 | |
| September 28 – October 4 |
Sobble
Dynamax
|
September 2026 Spotlight Hours
Here is the complete September 2026 Pokémon Spotlight schedule to look forward to. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time, the following Pokémon will be featured every Thursday on these dates:
Weedle, Kakuna and Beedrill Spotlight Hour
September 10, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time
2× Transfer Candy
Houndour and Houndoom Spotlight Hour
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September 13, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time
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2× Transfer Candy
Costumed Charmander Spotlight Hour
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September 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time
2× Catch Stardust
Rattata Spotlight Hour
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September 24, 2026, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time
2× Evolution XP
Increased chance to encounter XXS Rattata
Weekly Challenges
September Weekly Challenges are also available:
- – : Hatch 20 Eggs
- – : Catch 500 Pokémon
- – : Spin 150 PokéStops or Gyms
- – : Complete 25 Field Research tasks
Each of them reward the following for completing them:
- 6000 Stardust
- 7 Friendship Points
- 20,000 XP
- An encounter with Tandemaus
- 250 Link Charges
Research Breakthrough
Complete Field Research to unlock Research Breakthrough encounters with one of a variety of Season-themed Pokémon. Find out where your trail leads you each week.
Infographic
Event Previews
Mega Ascension
Mega Ascension kicks off the Mega Finale celebrations, running from Monday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. to Friday, September 4 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The event puts Mega Evolution front and center, with rotating Mega Raids, boosted wild encounters, an increased Remote Raid Pass limit, and a chance for Pokémon caught from Mega Raids to feature a Mega Evolution-themed Special Background.
Pokémon GO Fest 2026 Mega Finale
Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale brings the summer to a close with two days of rotating habitats, a huge lineup of Mega Raids, and Super Mega Raids featuring Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y.
The weekend is the culmination of a larger Mega Evolution celebration that begins with Mega Ascension and continues through GO Pass: Mega Finale, where Trainers can choose Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie, collect Mega Energy, and prepare for the main event on September 5 and 6.
Mega Squads
Following Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale, the Mega Squads event kicks off the new Twilight Trails Season from Tuesday, September 8 at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, September 14, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
The event introduces Maschiff and Mabosstiff to Pokémon GO, alongside the debut of Shiny Flamigo. Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom can also reach the new Super Max Mega Level, unlocking powerful additional Charged Attacks while Mega Evolved.
Gible Community Day Classic
The next Pokémon GO Community Day Classic of 2026 features Gible, the Land Shark Pokémon. It returns with its exclusive move, Earth Power, for Garchomp. Join the event on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time to enjoy 3× XP for catching Pokémon, increased Gible spawns, and a chance to encounter Shiny Gible.
Evolve Gabite during the event to obtain a Garchomp that knows the exclusive move Earth Power [ground]. As Garchomp has not only Mega Garchomp, but in the future, Mega Garchomp Z, this is a great time to grind for a good IV shiny.
Pokémon Horizons: The Series Celebration
The Pokémon Horizons: The Series Celebration Event celebrates season 3 of the TV series Pokémon Horizons: Rising Hope releasing in the USA and UK, taking place from Wednesday, September 16, at 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. You can watch in the USA on Netflix, and in the UK on BBC iPlayer.
The event introduces Charmander, Charmeleon and Charizard wearing Friede’s goggles to Pokémon GO, as well as an increased chance to encounter Kecleon at Pokéstops. Pikachu with Cap’s Hat also returns, and there are rotating timed spawns.
Super Mega Staraptor Raid Day
Mega Staraptor will debut during a special Super Mega Raid Day event on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.
You can look forward to Mega Staraptor in Super Mega Raids, with the potential to be shiny (with boosted odds of 1 in 10 encounters), and up to five additional free raid passes for the day.
Catch Mastery: Phantump
The Pokémon GO Catch Mastery: Phantump event runs on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time, putting the spotlight on the Stump Pokémon and rewarding Trainers for precise throws.
During the event, players can enjoy an increased chance to encounter Shiny Phantump, 2× XP for Nice Throws or better, and bonus Candy for accurate catches. Phantump will be available through Field Research, free Timed Research, and paid Timed Research.
Harvest Festival: Applin Picking
Pokémon GO’s Harvest Festival 2026: Applin Picking Event takes place from Tuesday, September 29, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, October 5, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The event introduces Shiny Applin, as well as an increased chance to encounter Shiny Smoliv.
Mossy Lures will only attract apples during the event. Harvest Festival: Applin Picking also features a special GO Pass, Pokéstop showcases, event-themed Field Research, branching timed research, and more.
Twilight Trails
We are currently in the Twilight Trails season. Different days of the week will include a Daily Discovery experience. These will be active between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. local time unless otherwise stated.
Max Monday
One Rare Candy XL for completing in-person Max Battles.
More Power Spots than usual will be active.
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Additional Power Spots will be active on Mondays compared to the rest of the week.
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Max Battles will rotate to feature different Dynamax Pokémon.
(*) Max Battles will be available between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. local time. Power Spot availability will be limited outside of Max Mondays and Max Battle Days.
Showcase Tuesday
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PokéStop Showcases will be active on Tuesdays, featuring up to 20 different categories.
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Trainers can enter up to five PokéStop Showcases.
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More PokéStops may have PokéStop Showcases.
Wednesday (Raid Hour)
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Raid Bosses for five-star raids and Mega Raids will rotate at the start of the day each week.
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Raid Hours will continue to feature the five-star Raid Boss between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. local time.
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One Rare Candy XL for completing in-person Raid Battles.
GO Battle Thursdays and Spotlight Hour
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Spotlight Hour will return from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time!
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The maximum number of sets you can play per day will increase from five to 10—for a total of 50 battles
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Up to 4× Stardust from win rewards. (This does not include end-of-set rewards.)
Friendship Friday*
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Up to two Special Trades.
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Increased chance of Lucky Trade for any trade.
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Up to -10% Stardust cost for trades.
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Two guaranteed Candy XL from trades (Trainers level 31+).
(*) These bonuses only apply to in-person trades.
Scenic Sunday
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More Pokémon will appear in the wild!
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More Pokémon will appear while following a Route. Incense will attract even more Pokémon on Routes.
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Reduced distance to earn Buddy Candy while exploring Routes with your Buddy Pokémon.
Encounter Mateo up to three times each day while on a Route.
Please note that Daily Discoveries will not be available during the week of global GO Fest, GO Wild Area, or GO Tour events.
