Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global will be a completely free event. Niantic has mentioned that there will be no paywalled content that had been common in previous iterations of the GO Fest event. This is a surprise step from the developers, but one that is likely explained by the big debuts scheduled for GO Fest 2026.

Coinciding with the game’s 10th anniversary, Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global will take place on June 11 and June 12 between 10 am and 7 pm local time each day. The event will mark the debut of Zeraora and the mega-evolved forms of Mewtwo.

Pokemon GO Fest 2026 will be free for all trainers

Announcing the same, Niantic mentioned:

“Yes, GO Fest: Global is FREE for the first time! Pokemon GO Fest 2026: Global is FREE for all Trainers logged in during the event weekend. That means Special Research, additional bonuses, and an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon are available to all Trainers at no cost!”

GO Fest 2026 Global Special Research will net trainers an encounter with the Thunderclap Pokemon, Zeraora. Those who have already caught the Pokemon in the in-person events will get Zeraora Candy instead. GO Fest 2026 Timed Research has a chance of giving Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y Energy.

The following GO Fest 2026: Global bonuses and features will be active:

10 am to 7 pm each day

• “Increased appearances of Pokemon-type featured during each time block of GO Fest: Global!
• Lure Modules activated during the event will last for one hour.
• Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) will attract special Pokemon.
• Party Play will be active for nine hours
• Increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokemon
• Special Research including an encounter with Zeraora
• Branching Timed Research with a choice between Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y.
• Global Challenges to unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events.
• Different Pokemon type–themed Field Research every hour”

12 am to 11.59 pm each day

• Up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning Photo Discs at Gyms
• Up to six Special Trades
• 1/2 Stardust cost for all trades
• Open up to 50 Gifts each day

The decision to make GO Fest 2026: Global free may have been influenced by the Super Mega Raids that trainers need to participate in to battle Mega Mewtwo X/Y and get their respective energies. Given that these unique Mega Raids can host over a thousand trainers, Niantic is hoping for a massive turnout and will surely ensure that the difficulty of these battles will be appropriately greater.

Furthermore, with an increased number of players participating and the massive popularity of Mewtwo, trainers may choose to spend more on Passes and Link Charges to get enough Mega Mewtwo Energy. For those unaware, “every Mega Mewtwo caught from Super Mega Raids will also have at least one Mega Level [or Mega Level 2 or 3 for lucky trainers] already unlocked and can be Mega Evolved without the initial energy cost”.