Pokémon Go Fest Global free July 11–12

Niantic has made Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global free for all players for the first time, according to the game’s official event page. The worldwide event is scheduled for July 11-12, 2026, and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time on both days. The company said anyone logged in during the weekend can access features that had previously been tied to a paid global ticket. The official page says that includes Special Research, event bonuses and higher chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon at no cost. ### When exactly does the event run, and what is different this year? July 11 and July 12 are the two event dates listed on the official GO Fest 2026 global page. Niantic says each day will have an extra hour of gameplay, bringing the total to nine event hours per day. The company describes that change as part of the game’s 10th anniversary year. The official page says GO Fest: Global is “FREE for the first time,” a break from prior years when the global event typically required a ticket for full bonuses and research access. ### What do players get without paying? Special Research is included for all players who log in during the event weekend, according to the official event page. Niantic says that research leads to an encounter with Zeraora, which it describes as a new Mythical Pokémon debuting in Pokémon GO. The company also says the free global access includes additional bonuses and boosted Shiny encounter chances. Niantic’s page says the Special Research does not expire, allowing players to finish it after the event weekend. ### Which Pokémon are being used to anchor this year’s event? Mewtwo and Zeraora are the two featured names highlighted at the top of the official page. Niantic says Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y will debut during GO Fest 2026: Global. Starting with the July event, players will be able to obtain Mewtwo Mega Energy X and Mewtwo Mega Energy Y by defeating Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y in what the company calls Super Mega Raid Battles. The official page also says Mewtwo caught from those battles will have at least one Mega Level already unlocked. ### How is the event structured during the weekend? All 18 Pokémon types will be featured over the course of the event weekend, according to Niantic’s event page. The company says players will have higher chances of encountering Pokémon of a specific type during each event hour. The official page also highlights themed costume encounters, including Pikachu wearing Team Instinct, Team Mystic and Team Valor hats, along with Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle wearing Pikachu visors. Niantic says some of those event Pokémon can be encountered in Shiny form if players are lucky. ### What about the report of more than 30 bosses per day? Pocket Tactics reported that players will be able to face more than 30 bosses on each date, but that figure was not visible in the official page text I was able to verify. Niantic’s official page does confirm Super Mega Raid Battles featuring Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y. Because the official site page available at publication did not clearly display a full raid-boss count in the text I could verify, the confirmed details are the dates, free access, daily hours, Special Research, Zeraora, and Mega Mewtwo’s debut. July 11, 2026 is the next concrete milestone for players, when Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global begins in local time worldwide. Niantic’s official GO Fest 2026 global page remains the main source for updated event details ahead of launch.