The Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball is available for free through the special anniversary Timed Research running now. Trainers only need to catch 10 Pokémon to claim the Master Ball, making this one of the simplest Master Ball rewards Pokémon GO has offered.
The reward is part of the same 10th Anniversary Celebration Timed Research that gives eligible Trainers a maxed-stat Mewtwo with a Special Background and 500 Mega Mewtwo Y Mega Energy. However, the research is only available for a limited time and everything must be claimed before September 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
How to Get the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball
Getting the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball requires completing just one task:
| Task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 10 Pokémon | 1 Master Ball |
Any Pokémon catches count towards the task. There is no requirement to catch a particular species, use a specific type of Poké Ball or participate in raids.
Once you have caught 10 Pokémon, return to the 10th Anniversary Celebration Timed Research and claim the reward.
That is all you need to do to add the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball to your Item Bag.
Is the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball Free?
Yes. The Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball is part of free Timed Research available to Trainers around the world.
There is no paid event ticket required to access the standard worldwide version of the research.
The complete research contains only two tasks:
| 10th Anniversary task | Reward |
|---|---|
| Catch 10 Pokémon | 1 Master Ball |
| Power up Pokémon 10 times | 500 Mega Mewtwo Y Mega Energy |
| Complete the research | Mewtwo encounter |
The Mewtwo encounter comes with maxed-out stats and a Special Background, while Mega Level 3 is already unlocked for Mega Mewtwo Y.
For the complete research requirements and rewards, see our Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Mewtwo Timed Research guide.
When Does the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball Research End?
The Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball must be claimed before Sunday, September 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
The anniversary research became available on August 12 at 4:00 p.m. PDT.
This is important because the anniversary reward is Timed Research rather than permanent Special Research. Pokémon GO has specifically warned that the tasks must be completed and the rewards claimed before the deadline.
If you have already caught 10 Pokémon but have not pressed the button to claim your Master Ball, make sure you do so before the research expires.
What Does a Master Ball Do in Pokémon GO?
A Master Ball is an extremely valuable Poké Ball because it guarantees the Pokémon you throw it at will be caught.
Unlike ordinary Poké Balls, Great Balls, Ultra Balls and Premier Balls, the Master Ball removes the risk of the Pokémon breaking free.
That makes the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball particularly useful as an emergency item for rare encounters where you absolutely do not want the Pokémon to escape.
Because Master Balls are not normally available in unlimited quantities, it is worth thinking carefully before using one.
Should You Save the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball?
For most Trainers, saving the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball until it is genuinely needed makes sense.
The anniversary Mewtwo does not require you to spend the Master Ball to claim it. The Master Ball and Mewtwo encounter are separate rewards within the same Timed Research.
That means you can claim the Master Ball, keep it in your inventory and catch the special anniversary Mewtwo normally.
Situations where a Master Ball can be particularly valuable include a rare Pokémon that is about to flee or an encounter where you have reached the final available ball and do not want to risk losing the Pokémon.
There is therefore no reason to immediately use the anniversary Master Ball simply because it was obtained alongside Mewtwo.
Do You Use the Master Ball on the Anniversary Mewtwo?
No. You do not need to use the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball on the Mewtwo rewarded by the research.
The Mewtwo is the final encounter for completing the Timed Research, while the Master Ball is awarded separately for catching 10 Pokémon.
Keep the Master Ball unless you specifically want to use it.
The anniversary Mewtwo is already an exceptionally valuable reward because it comes with maxed-out stats, a Special Background and Mega Level 3 unlocked for Mega Mewtwo Y.
If the Mewtwo itself is what you are interested in, our How to Get a Perfect Mewtwo in Pokémon GO guide covers the guaranteed maxed-stat encounter in more detail.
Why Did I Get Mewtwo Candy Instead of a Master Ball?
There is an important exception to the standard Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball reward.
Trainers who caught a Mewtwo during the special in-person Times Square event on July 9, 2026 receive different anniversary research rewards.
Current live research data shows that eligible Times Square participants receive 30 Mewtwo Candy instead of the Master Ball for the Catch 10 Pokémon task.
Pokémon GO itself has confirmed that Trainers who caught the Times Square Mewtwo receive different stats and different rewards from the standard worldwide anniversary research.
If you attended the Times Square event and do not see a Master Ball reward, this is therefore expected rather than a problem with your research.
Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball Research Not Showing
If you are looking for the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball, first check the Events section of the Research menu for the 10th Anniversary Celebration Timed Research.
The reward is not being distributed directly into every Trainer’s inventory. You need to access the research and complete the Catch 10 Pokémon task.
The standard worldwide research remains available until September 6, so eligible Trainers who have not yet completed it still have time.
Times Square participants should remember that their version of the research has different rewards.
Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball Rewards at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Reward | Master Ball |
| Cost | Free |
| Required task | Catch 10 Pokémon |
| Research | 10th Anniversary Celebration Timed Research |
| Mewtwo included | Yes |
| Mega Energy included | 500 Mega Mewtwo Y Mega Energy |
| Deadline | September 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. local time |
| Times Square exception | Different rewards apply |
The Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball is one of the easiest rewards to pick up during the current anniversary celebration. Catch 10 Pokémon, claim the Master Ball and then complete the remaining power-up task to unlock the special anniversary Mewtwo.
Just make sure the Pokémon GO 10th Anniversary Master Ball and all other research rewards have actually been claimed before the Timed Research disappears on September 6.
