The Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event brings rotating starter Pokémon, up to 10× catch XP, exclusive attacks, costumed raid bosses and team-specific Special Backgrounds.
The event begins on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and runs for nearly one week. Different generations of starter Pokémon will appear during three separate rotations, while the catch XP bonus becomes progressively stronger as the event continues.
The Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event also gives players another opportunity to evolve starter Pokémon with Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn or Hydro Cannon.
Here is the complete event schedule, including wild spawns, bonuses, raids, featured attacks and available rewards.
Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary Dates and Times
The Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event runs from:
| Event Detail | Date and Time |
|---|---|
| Start | Tuesday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. local time |
| End | Monday, July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time |
| GO Pass reward claim deadline | Wednesday, July 29 at 7:59 p.m. local time |
The event was unlocked through Global Challenges completed during Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global.
Most bonuses and Pokémon rotations use local time, so the event begins and ends according to the time zone where you are playing.
Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary Bonuses
The biggest bonus during the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event is increased XP for catching Pokémon.
The bonus grows stronger during each stage of the event.
| Dates | Catch XP Bonus |
|---|---|
| July 21 at 10:00 a.m. to July 23 at 10:00 a.m. | 6× catch XP |
| July 23 at 10:00 a.m. to July 25 at 10:00 a.m. | 8× catch XP |
| July 25 at 10:00 a.m. to July 27 at 8:00 p.m. | 10× catch XP |
The final stage is one of the best opportunities to earn XP quickly.
Using a Lucky Egg during the 10× catch XP period can make Excellent Throws especially valuable.
Starter Pokémon encountered during the event may also have a team-specific Special Background.
The Special Background depends on the team you belong to when the encounter begins:
| Pokémon GO Team | Possible Background |
|---|---|
| Team Instinct | Instinct-themed Special Background |
| Team Mystic | Mystic-themed Special Background |
| Team Valor | Valor-themed Special Background |
Players who have not selected a team cannot encounter starter Pokémon with a team-specific Special Background.
July 21 to July 23 Starter Pokémon Spawns
The first Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary spawn rotation features starters from Kanto, Johto and Hoenn.
| Region | Starter Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Kanto | Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle |
| Johto | Chikorita, Cyndaquil and Totodile |
| Hoenn | Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip |
All nine Pokémon can be shiny.
This rotation runs from July 21 at 10:00 a.m. until July 23 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Players who need Blast Burn Charizard, Hydro Cannon Swampert or Frenzy Plant Sceptile should collect enough Candy during this period.
July 23 to July 25 Starter Pokémon Spawns
The second rotation features starters from Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos.
| Region | Starter Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Sinnoh | Turtwig, Chimchar and Piplup |
| Unova | Snivy, Tepig and Oshawott |
| Kalos | Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie |
These Pokémon can also be shiny.
This stage runs from July 23 at 10:00 a.m. until July 25 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Froakie is likely to be one of the more popular catches because evolving it into Greninja during the event awards Hydro Cannon.
July 25 to July 27 Starter Pokémon Spawns
The final Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary spawn rotation features Alola, Galar and Paldea starters.
| Region | Starter Pokémon |
|---|---|
| Alola | Rowlet, Litten and Popplio |
| Galar | Grookey, Scorbunny and Sobble |
| Paldea | Sprigatito, Fuecoco and Quaxly |
All nine listed Pokémon can be shiny.
This rotation runs from July 25 at 10:00 a.m. until the event ends on July 27 at 8:00 p.m.
The final rotation also overlaps with the 10× catch XP bonus, making it the best period for players trying to gain Trainer levels.
Pokémon Attracted to Lure Modules
Several additional Pokémon can be attracted to normal Lure Modules during the event.
| Lure Module Spawn | Shiny Available? |
|---|---|
| Beldum | Yes |
| Gible | Yes |
| Dreepy | No confirmed shiny |
| Additional event Pokémon | Varies |
Beldum and Gible are both valuable catches due to their powerful final evolutions.
Dreepy is particularly useful for players still building Dragapult or collecting Dreepy Candy.
Using a Lure Module near several PokéStops can also help maximise the high catch XP bonuses during the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event.
Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary Raids
Costumed Pokémon will appear in one-star and three-star raids.
| Raid Tier | Raid Boss |
|---|---|
| One-Star Raid | Grimer wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raid | Raticate wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raid | Nidorino wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raid | Gengar wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raid | Wobbuffet wearing a party hat |
All listed costumed raid bosses can be shiny.
They may also have a team-specific Special Background.
The background is determined when the encounter begins, so changing teams after completing the raid will not alter the design.
Featured Attacks During the Event
The Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event allows starter Pokémon to learn their traditional Community Day attacks when evolved.
Grass-Type Starter Featured Attack
Evolving an eligible Grass-type starter to its final form awards Frenzy Plant.
| Final Evolution | Featured Attack |
|---|---|
| Venusaur | Frenzy Plant |
| Meganium | Frenzy Plant |
| Sceptile | Frenzy Plant |
| Torterra | Frenzy Plant |
| Serperior | Frenzy Plant |
| Chesnaught | Frenzy Plant |
| Decidueye | Frenzy Plant |
| Rillaboom | Frenzy Plant |
| Meowscarada | Frenzy Plant |
Fire-Type Starter Featured Attack
Evolving an eligible Fire-type starter awards Blast Burn.
| Final Evolution | Featured Attack |
|---|---|
| Charizard | Blast Burn |
| Typhlosion | Blast Burn |
| Blaziken | Blast Burn |
| Infernape | Blast Burn |
| Emboar | Blast Burn |
| Delphox | Blast Burn |
| Incineroar | Blast Burn |
| Cinderace | Blast Burn |
| Skeledirge | Blast Burn |
Water-Type Starter Featured Attack
Evolving an eligible Water-type starter awards Hydro Cannon.
| Final Evolution | Featured Attack |
|---|---|
| Blastoise | Hydro Cannon |
| Feraligatr | Hydro Cannon |
| Swampert | Hydro Cannon |
| Empoleon | Hydro Cannon |
| Samurott | Hydro Cannon |
| Greninja | Hydro Cannon |
| Primarina | Hydro Cannon |
| Inteleon | Hydro Cannon |
| Quaquaval | Hydro Cannon |
These attacks are normally limited to Community Day events or require an Elite Charged TM.
Players should evolve their strongest starter Pokémon before the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event ends.
Field Research Rewards
Event-themed Field Research tasks will be available from PokéStops.
Rewards include:
- Poké Balls
- Encounters with event Pokémon
- Additional starter Pokémon encounters
- Other event items
Exact tasks and rewards will become visible after the event begins.
Field Research encounters may also provide additional chances to find starter Pokémon with strong IVs or shiny forms.
Free Professor Willow Avatar Items
A complete Professor Willow-inspired outfit will be available for free from the in-game shop.
| Free Avatar Item |
|---|
| Professor Willow–Style Lab Coat |
| Professor Willow–Style Pants |
| Professor Willow–Style Gloves |
| Professor Willow–Style Shoes |
| Professor Willow–Style Backpack |
| Professor Willow Glasses |
Players should claim the items while the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event is active.
Event-themed stickers can also be collected from PokéStops, Gifts and the in-game shop.
Shiny Shaymin Masterwork Research
The Glimmers of Gratitude Masterwork Research will return during the event.
| Research Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Price | US$4.99 or equivalent local price |
| Main reward | Shiny Shaymin encounter |
| Completion deadline | None after the research is received |
| Availability | Must open Pokémon GO during the event |
| Repeat purchase | Not available to previous owners |
Players who already received Glimmers of Gratitude cannot purchase it again.
Masterwork Research is designed to take a long time to complete, so there is no requirement to finish it before July 27.
What Should You Prioritise?
The most useful parts of the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event are:
- Catch Pokémon during the 10× XP period.
- Use Lucky Eggs while making Great or Excellent Throws.
- Evolve useful starters for Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn and Hydro Cannon.
- Hunt team-specific Special Background Pokémon.
- Use Lure Modules for Beldum, Gible and Dreepy.
- Claim the free Professor Willow avatar outfit.
- Complete the GO Pass before July 27.
- Claim every GO Pass reward before July 29.
The event offers a strong mixture of XP, shiny hunting and exclusive attacks.
Players who cannot participate for the full week should focus on the final weekend when the catch XP bonus reaches 10×.
