How to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO starts with the daily free Raid Pass from a Gym Photo Disc, then expands to Premium Battle Passes, Remote Raid Passes, research rewards, event bonuses and Shop bundles. In 2026, Mega Raids also use Link Charges as another entry resource, so not every Mega Raid attempt needs to consume the same type of pass.
Get the free daily Raid Pass
Spin the Photo Disc at a Gym to receive a free Raid Pass when you are eligible for one. Under normal rules, you can hold only one of these standard free Raid Passes at a time.
The easiest how to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO routine is therefore using yesterday’s stored free pass first, then spinning a Gym to collect the current day’s pass. Event bonuses can temporarily increase the number of free passes available.
Premium Battle Passes
Premium Battle Passes can be used for in-person Raid Battles and can also unlock Premium Rewards in GO Battle League. They are purchased with PokéCoins and sometimes appear in research, level rewards or event bundles.
Unlike the free pass, you can store multiple Premium Battle Passes. If how to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO is about preparing for a Raid Day, Premium passes are usually the flexible option for repeated in-person battles.
Remote Raid Passes
Remote Raid Passes let you join eligible raids without physically standing at the Gym. They are normally obtained from the Shop, although research, bundles and special promotions can sometimes award them.
Remote raiding has its own limits and balance rules that can change during events. Always check current event bonuses before buying a large number.
How to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO remotely is therefore mostly a Shop-and-reward question rather than a daily Gym-spin mechanic.
Research and event rewards
Special Research, Timed Research, GO Pass rewards and event tasks can include Raid Passes or Premium Battle Passes. Some ticketed events also increase the number of free passes received from Gym spins.
These opportunities change constantly, so no evergreen guide can promise one permanent research task.
Check the Events tab before spending coins. How to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO is often much cheaper during a raid-focused weekend than on an ordinary day.
Link Charges and Mega Raids
Pokémon GO introduced Link Charges as a separate resource for Mega Raids. In person, Trainers may use Link Charges or an eligible raid pass depending on what they hold and the current raid rules.
Link Charges come from social activities such as Weekly Challenges and eligible Community Ambassador check-ins, with some sources offering a chance rather than a guarantee.
That means how to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO is no longer the whole story for Mega raiding in 2026.
When a pass is consumed
For ordinary Raid Battles, the pass is consumed when the battle actually begins rather than the instant you enter the lobby. Leaving before the battle starts should not waste the pass.
If the group loses, you can normally retry the same active raid without spending another pass, provided you re-enter that same raid before it ends.
This is important when learning how to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO because careful retries make each pass go further.
Can you hold more than one free pass?
Normally, the standard free Raid Pass has a one-pass inventory limit. Event bonuses can let you receive several free passes during the day, but you usually need to use one before spinning for the next.
Premium and Remote passes have different storage rules.
If the Gym spin does not award a free pass, check whether one is already in your Item Bag before assuming the game has failed to give today’s reward.
Best way to save PokéCoins
Use free daily passes for ordinary local raids, save Premium Battle Passes for raid-heavy events and use Remote Raid Passes when the remote access is genuinely useful.
Earn PokéCoins through Gyms and claim event or research passes before purchasing more.
How to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO efficiently is less about buying every bundle and more about stacking the free daily system, event bonuses, research and Link Charges before spending coins on extra attempts.
For most players, how to get Raid Passes in Pokémon GO cheaply comes down to using the daily free pass first and only spending PokéCoins when an event gives you a reason to raid repeatedly.
Official site: Pokémon GO
