PokémonXP and 2026 Pokémon World Championships event in Pokémon Go

PokémonXP and 2026 Pokémon World Championships are the two Pokémon Go events running this week. The events meld into each other - with PokémonXP being the first before it switches over to the 2026 World Championships. For this reason, it's a good idea to stay atop of the event-exclusive research tasks and bonuses. There's also two new costume Pikachus!

PokémonXP Event End Time: Friday 28th August at 10am (local time)

2026 World Championships Event End Time: Sunday 30th August at 8pm (local time)

On this page:

• Research tasks
• 2026 Pokémon World Championships
• Bonuses
• New costume Pikachu debuts
• Wild Pokémon spawns
• Raids
• Featured Attacks
• Go Pass

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Research tasks

Here are the event-exclusive research tasks:

Task Reward Catch 5 Pokémon 5 Poké Balls, 2 Revives, or 3 Super Potions Spin 3 PokéStops or Gyms Cosmog-themed Spacesuit Pikachu encounter Spin 26 PokéStops or Gyms 5 Poké Balls, 2 Revives, or 3 Super Potions Explore 5 km Cosmog-themed Spacesuit Pikachu encounter Win a raid World Championships 2026 Pikachu encounter Batttle in the GO Battle League 5 times Rowlet, Rookidee, or Galarian Stunfisk encounter Power up Pokémon 15 times World Championships 2026 Pikachu encounter

2026 Pokémon World Championships

The 2026 Pokémon World Championships is running from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August. It's one of the biggest events in the yearly Pokémon calendar and, even if you're not in San Francisco, you can tune in via the Pokémon Twitch Channel and Pokémon Go Twitch Channel. Doing so will even net you some rewards!

Firstly, a code for the 2026 Worlds Tee (Green) will be shared during the World Championships stream. Keep an eye out for this code and you'll get a new shirt for your trainer avatar to wear.

Secondly, there are four research quests you can unlock by watching the streams for a certain period of time on specific days. These quests are:

Quest Where to watch Duration Team Building: Great League Bonus Timed Research Day 1 and Day 2 - Pokémon Go Twitch Channel
Day 3 - Pokémon Twitch Channel 30 mins 2025 World Champion's Timed Research Day 1 and Day 2 - Pokémon Go Twitch Channel
Day 3 - Pokémon Twitch Channel 60 mins Greetings from San Francisco! Bonus Timed Research Pokémon Go co-streamers 45 mins PokémonXP Timed Research Sat 29th Aug - PokémonXP Twitch Channel 30 mins

Bonuses

• The maximum number of Go Battle League battle sets have been increased to 15 per day. This means you can compete in 75 battles per day.
• Pokémon encountered via the Go Battle League rewards have a wider variance of Attack, Defense and HP.
• The PokémonXP and 2026 Worlds Backpack avatar item will be on sale from this event onwards in-game.
• You'll be able to collect event-themed stickers by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts and purchasing them from the in-game shop.
• The Go Battle League will have a different background and music between Friday 28th August to Sunday 30th August.
• Major Milestone bonuses if unlocked via Go Pass.

New costume Pikachu debuts

Two new costume Pikachus are being released for the PokémonXP and 2026 World Championships! The best news? They both look pretty darn cool and can be shiny too. The costumes in question are the Cosmog-themed Spacesuit Pikachu and World Championships 2026 Pikachu who's wearing a little crown and cloak.

Wild Pokémon spawns

Below you'll find the wild Pokémon spawning more frequently thanks to the event:

2026 Pokémon World Championships

• Alolan Sandshrew
• Mankey
• Lickitung
• Totodile
• Togetic
• Wooper
• Beldum
• Foongus
• Froakie
• Litten

Raids

Here's the Pokémon you'll see in raids:

2026 Pokémon World Championships

One-Star Five-Star Mega Cosmog-themed Spacesuit Pikachu Regirock Mega Gyarados World Championships 2026 Pikachu Regice Honedge Registeel

Featured Attacks

Some Pokémon have featured attacks available during these Pokémon Go events, which can be obtained by either catching the Pokémon or obtaining them via evolution. Here's the Pokémon and their featured attacks:

• Alolan Sandslash - Shadow Claw, Ghost-type Fast Attack
• Primeape - Rage Fist, Ghost-type Charged Attack
• Lickitung - Body Slam, Normal-type Charged Attack
• Feraligatr - Hydro Cannon, Water-type Charged Attack
• Quagsire - Aqua Tail, Water-type Charged Attack
• Gardevoir - Synchronoise, Psychic-type Charged Attack
• Walrein - Powder Snow, Ice-type Fast Attack, and Icicle Spear, Ice-type Charged Attack
• Metagross - Meteor Mash, Steel-type Charged Attack
• Lickilicky - Body Slam, Normal-type Charged Attack
• Togekiss - Aura Sphere, Fighting-type Charged Attack
• Gallade - Synchronoise, Psychic-type Charged Attack
• Hydreigon - Brutal Swing, Dark-type Charged Attack
• Greninja - Hydro Cannon, Water-type Charged Attack
• Decidueye - Frenzy Plant, Grass-type Charged Attack
• Incineroar - Blast Burn, Fire-type Charged Attack
• Inteleon - Hydro Cannon, Water-type Charged Attack
• Corviknight - Air Cutter, Flying-type Charged Attack
• Annihilape - Rage Fist, Ghost-type Charged Attack

Go Pass

• Go Pass is available between Tuesday 25th August to Sunday 30th August at 8pm (local time).
• There will be no daily point limit between Saturday 29th at 12am (local time) until Sunday 30th August at 7:59pm (local time).
• You must claim your rewards before Tuesday 1st September at 7:59pm (local time).
• Every player receives the Free Track.
• Upgrading to the Deluxe Track costs £4.99 / $4.99 or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency.
• Upgrading to the Deluxe Track with six Ranks pre-completed costs £6.99 / $6.99 or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency.
• This purchase is non-refundable and can not be done using PokéCoins.
• Free track rewards include Major Milestones and Pokémon encounters.
• Deluxe track rewards include an additional Tier 2 Major Milestone, Zapdos encounter, 2026 Worlds/PokémonXP Backpack, extra Pokémon encounters and item rewards.

Major Milestones

Tier 1 (Rank 10)

• Double Catch Stardust.

Tier 2 (Rank 20)

• Free - An additional 3,000 XP from winning raids.
• Deluxe - Two extra free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs.

Hope you enjoy both the Pokémon XP and 2026 World Championships events!