Pokémon GO Fest
When and where GO Fest happens, what it costs, and a guide to each event.
GO Fest is Pokémon GO’s flagship event of the year. It has in-person events in a few host cities and a worldwide event, GO Fest Global, that Trainers play from wherever they are.
GO Fest 2026 visited Tokyo, Chicago, and Copenhagen, then went global on July 11 and 12. A Mega Finale followed on September 5 and 6.
GO Fest 2026
Zeraora made its Pokémon GO debut through Special Research, and Mewtwo gained its Mega Evolutions, Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Shiny Wash Rotom debuted at the in-person events.
GO Fest 2025
GO Fest 2024
GO Fest 2023
Diancie made its Pokémon GO debut and could Mega Evolve, and Mega Rayquaza debuted in raids. Both came to the in-person events in London, Osaka, and New York City before GO Fest Global.
GO Fest 2022
GO Fest 2021
Meloetta made its Pokémon GO debut through Special Research. On Day 2, every Legendary Pokémon released so far appeared in five-star raids.
GO Fest 2020
Day 2 was a Team GO Rocket takeover. Its Special Research led to Victini in its Pokémon GO debut, and Shadow Mewtwo debuted the same day.
GO Fest 2019
Jirachi made its Pokémon GO debut through Special Research in Chicago, Dortmund, and Yokohama. Each city’s Global Challenge unlocked a raid day for a Legendary beast: Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.
GO Fest 2018
Celebi made its Pokémon GO debut through Special Research for attendees in Chicago, then reached every Trainer that August.
GO Fest 2017
GO Fest guides and news
Pokémon GO Fest 2026 Save the Date
The dates and locations for Pokémon GO Fest 2026 have been announced. Japan has a whole week of ticketed City Wide gameplay, likely in celebration of Pokémon GO's 10th anniversary and Pokémon's 30th anniversary.
What To Bring to Pokémon GO Fest 2025: IRL & In-Game
Make sure you’re prepared with all the gear you’ll need for a successful Pokémon GO Fest at either Osaka in Japan, Jersey City in the U.S. or Paris in France.
Get Early Access To Pokémon GO Fest Global 7km Eggs
If you’ve purchased the Pokémon GO Fest 2024: Global Ticket, you can start receiving the event 7km eggs early.
Pokémon GO Fest 2024 Ultra Beast Perfect IV Cheat Sheet
Trainers can reference this quick guide to know how strong their Pokémon's stats will be before catching it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Pokémon GO Fest 2026?
GO Fest 2026 is over. The in-person events ran in Tokyo from May 29 to June 1, Chicago from June 5 to 7, and Copenhagen from June 12 to 14, with extra citywide days for ticket holders starting May 25, June 4, and June 11.
GO Fest 2026: Global ran July 11 and 12, and the Mega Finale ran September 5 and 6. We’ll add GO Fest 2027 here once its dates are announced.
Where is Pokémon GO Fest held?
The host cities change each year. In 2026 they were Tokyo (Tokyo Waterfront City), Chicago (Grant Park), and Copenhagen (Fælledparken), and ticket holders could also play across each city. In 2023 they were Osaka, London, and New York City.
GO Fest Global has no venue. Trainers play it wherever they are.
How much does a Pokémon GO Fest ticket cost?
In 2026, an in-person ticket for one park session and a day of citywide play cost $28 early bird or $33 in Chicago, ¥3,500 or ¥4,000 in Tokyo, and 165 or 200 kr. in Copenhagen. Extra citywide days, and the City Explorer Pass for citywide play only, cost $20, ¥3,000, or 135 kr.
GO Fest 2026: Global was free for every trainer, the first time Global didn’t need a ticket.
What is GO Fest Global?
GO Fest Global is the worldwide part of GO Fest, played from anywhere. GO Fest 2026: Global ran July 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.
Every trainer got Zeraora’s Special Research, the Genetic Mastery Timed Research, and Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y in Super Mega Raids, all for free.
What is Genetic Mastery in Pokémon GO?
Genetic Mastery was the Timed Research for GO Fest 2026: Global. Partway through, Trainers chose a Mega Mewtwo X path or a Mega Mewtwo Y path. Finishing it gave 300 Mega Energy for that form, a Mewtwo, and 26 Mewtwo Candy.
Zeraora came from a separate Special Research story, which doesn’t expire.
When did Mega Mewtwo come to Pokémon GO?
Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y debuted at GO Fest 2026. In-person ticket holders got two chances to catch a Mewtwo with at least Mega Level 1 unlocked. At GO Fest Global, Mega Mewtwo X appeared in Super Mega Raids on Saturday and Mega Mewtwo Y on Sunday.
Both returned in Super Mega Raids at the GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale, Mega Mewtwo X on September 5 and Mega Mewtwo Y on September 6.
