September marks the start of Pokemon Go‘s latest season, Twilight Trails, and the mobile game is ushering it in with a number of events and Pokemon debuts this month.
A host of Mega Pokemon are returning once more as part of the Mega Ascension event, which will lead into the big Go Fest Mega Finale on September 5-6. Later in the month, the dark-type Pokemon Maschiff and Mabosstiff will make their debut, and a new Mega-Evolved Pokemon will star in another Super Mega Raid Day.
On top of that, players can look forward to new Raid bosses and Spotlight Pokemon this month, as well as a Community Day classic starring the fan-favorite dragon Pokemon Gible. You can read more about September’s biggest Pokemon Go events below.
September Raid Schedule
A slew of legendary and Mega Pokemon are returning to Raids in September.
Following the Regi trio’s departure on September 8, Pokemon Sword and Shield mascots Zacian and Zamazenta will make another appearance in five-star Raids. The former will be available from September 9-15, with the latter following from September 16-22. After that, the Ultra Beasts Xurkitree, Pheromosa, and Buzzwole will appear in their usual corners of the globe, while Xerneas will close out the month.
Mega Raids, meanwhile, will cycle between a handful of fan-favorite monsters this month, including Mega Beedrill, Mega Houndoom, and the recently introduced Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel. Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus will also appear periodically as a Shadow Raid boss, and a variety of Dynamax Pokemon will rotate through Max Battles.
You can see September’s full Raid schedule below:
Five-Star Raids
- Regirock (August 26-September 8)*
- Regice (August 26-September 8)*
- Registeel (August 26-September 8)*
- Zacian [Hero of Many Battles form] (September 9-15)
- Zamazenta [Hero of Many Battles form] (September 16-22)
- Xurkitree [Asia-Pacific region] (September 23-29)
- Pheromosa [Europe, Middle East, Africa, India] (September 23-29)
- Buzzwole [Americas and Greenland] (September 23-29)
- Xerneas (September 30-October 6)
Mega Raids
- Mega Gyarados (August 26-September 8)*
- Mega Beedrill (September 8-15)
- Mega Houndoom (September 11-15)
- Mega Venusaur (September 16-22)
- Mega Malamar (September 23-29)
- Mega Victreebel (September 30-October 6)
Max Battles
- Dynamax Eevee (August 31-September 6)
- Dynamax Ralts (September 7-13)
- Dynamax Rhyhorn (September 14-20)
- Dynamax Articuno (September 21-27)
- Dynamax Zapdos (September 21-27)
- Dynamax Moltres (September 21-27)
- Dynamax Sobble (September 28-October 4)
Shadow Raids
- Shadow Altered Forme Giratina (August 5-September 8)
- Shadow Incarnate Forme Thundurus (September 9-October 6)
*Will not be available from August 31-September 6
September Spotlight Hours
Pokemon Go’s weekly Spotlight Hour events return in September, featuring a new batch of Pokemon to catch and bonuses to earn.
Every Thursday evening from 6-7 PM local time (with a bonus Spotlight Hour on Sunday, September 13), a select Pokemon will appear in the wild more frequently than usual, making this a good chance to stock up on that species’ candy. In addition, you’ll earn extra rewards for completing certain actions, such as double XP or candy for transferring Pokemon.
You can see September’s full Spotlight Hour schedule below:
September 10
- Spotlight Pokemon: Weedle, Kakuna, Beedrill
- Bonus: 2x transfer candy
September 13
- Spotlight Pokemon: Houndour, Houndoom
- Bonus: 2x transfer candy
September 17
- Spotlight Pokemon: TBA
- Bonus: 2x catch Stardust
September 24
- Spotlight Pokemon: Rattata
- Bonus: 2x evolution XP, increased chance to encounter XXS Rattata
Mega Ascension
In the run up to Pokemon Go’s Mega Finale, the game is hosting a Mega Ascension event from August 31-September 4.
Every day of the event, different Mega-Evolved Pokemon will appear as Raid bosses, giving you another chance to catch them and earn Mega Energy. Pokemon lines capable of Mega Evolving will also spawn more frequently in the wild during the event, and an assortment of bonuses will be available.
Most notably, you’ll be able to embark on a special branching Timed Research story. After choosing one of the three Kalos starter Pokemon (Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie), you’ll receive the Go Pass: Mega Finale, which will net you various rewards when you complete Research tasks, including Mega Energy to Mega Evolve your starter of choice.
Featured Pokemon
Mega Raids
- Mega Victreebel (August 31)
- Mega Dragonite (August 31)
- Mega Malamar (August 31)
- Mega Falinks (September 1)
- Mega Skarmory (September 2)
- Mega Starmie (September 3)
- Mega Raichu X (September 4)
- Mega Raichu Y (September 4)
Wild Encounters
- Pikachu
- Bellsprout
- Staryu
- Dratini
- Skarmory
- Chespin
- Fennekin
- Froakie
- Inkay
- Falinks
Bonuses
- Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 30
- Branching Timed Research will be available during the event
- Pokemon caught from Mega Raids may have a special background
Pokemon Go Fest 2026: Mega Finale
Pokemon Go is capping off this year’s Go Fest in a big way with a Mega Finale on September 5-6.
Just as during Go Fest earlier this summer, the event will feature a handful of rotating virtual habitats, each of which will host different wild Pokemon and Mega Raid bosses.
Various bonuses will also be available during both days of the event. The game is removing the limit on how many Remote Raids you can participate in, and all Mega-Evolved Pokemon will receive a CP boost. Go Pass Deluxe holders will also get some additional rewards, including bonus candy and XP from Mega Raids and increased odds of encountering shiny Pokemon.
Mega Squads
The Mega festivities aren’t quite over; Pokemon Go is hosting an event called Mega Squads from September 8-14.
Making their debut as part of the event are the dark-type dog Pokemon Maschiff and its evolved form Mabosstiff. You can encounter the former by completing Field Research tasks or hatching 5 km eggs, and it will evolve into the latter after using 50 Maschiff candies.
On top of that, shiny Flamigo will appear in Pokemon Go for the first time. As with Maschiff, you can encounter one through Field Research or by hatching eggs. Other Pokemon like Pidgey, Rookidee, and Carvanha will also appear more frequently during the event, while Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom will return as Raid bosses.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Pidgey
- Rookidee
- Houndour
- Carvanha
Raids
- Mega Beedrill (September 8-15)
- Mega Houndoom (September 11-15)
Field Research Encounters
September 8-11
- Weedle
- Pidgey
- Fletchling
- Flamigo
September 11-14
- Houndour
- Carvanha
- Nickit
- Maschiff
- Flamigo
5 km Eggs
September 8-11
- Emolga
- Fletchling
- Rookidee
- Flamigo
September 11-14
- Sandile
- Pancham
- Maschiff
- Flamigo
Gible Community Day Classic
The land shark Pokemon Gible is returning for a Community Day Classic on September 12.
From 2-5 PM local time, Gible will appear in the wild more frequently, making this a good chance to collect Gible candy. On top of that, you’ll have better odds of encountering a shiny Gible or one that has a special background.
Just as during the previous Gible Community Day, the land shark Pokemon will also be able to learn a special attack. Every Gabite that you evolve into Garchomp by 9 PM local time will know the ground-type Charged Attack Earth Power.
Finally, there will be an event-themed Collection Challenge and Field Research tasks to complete, as well as a handful of bonuses to earn. You’ll rake in triple the usual amount of Stardust for catching Pokemon, and any Incense or Lure Modules that you use during the event will last longer than usual.
Bonuses
- 3x XP for catching Pokemon
- Incense will last for three hours (excluding Daily Adventure Incense)
- Lure Modules will last for one hour and attract the featured Pokemon
- Increased chance to find a shiny Gible or one with a special background
- Find a surprise when taking snapshots during the event
Mystery Event
Pokemon Go is holding a mystery event from September 16-22. More details will be announced later this month.
Super Mega Raid Day
A new Mega-Evolved Pokemon is making its debut during a Super Mega Raid Day on September 19.
Phantump Catch Mastery
The ghostly stump Pokemon Phantump is starring in a new Catch Mastery event on September 26.
From 10 AM-8 PM local time, you’ll be able to encounter Phantump by completing Field and Timed Research tasks. Other stumpy Pokemon like Cherubi and Drifloon will also appear more frequently during the event.
On top of that, you’ll earn some extra bonuses if your catching skills are up to snuff. Successfully catch a Pokemon with a Nice Throw or better and you’ll rake in double the usual amount of XP, as well as increased candy.
Featured Pokemon
Wild Encounters
- Cherubi
- Drifloon
Field Research Encounters
- Cherubi
- Drifloon
- Phantump
Bonuses
- 2x XP for catching Pokemon with Nice Throws or better
- Increased candy for catching Pokemon with Nice Throws or better
Harvest Festival
Pokemon Go is celebrating the start of fall with a Harvest Festival event from September 29-October 5.
