Mega Ascension and Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale brought a week of Mega Evolution activities to Pokémon GO. The weekday lead-in was followed by a two-day finale. Both events have ended; this guide records their raid schedule and preparation choices.
Mega Mewtwo X and Y headlined Super Mega Raids, with Mega Chesnaught, Mega Delphox, and Mega Greninja joining the lineup of available Mega Evolutions. Planning Energy goals and raid teams helped keep the packed calendar manageable.
Mega Ascension Dates
Mega Ascension was the lead-in to Mega Finale.
- August 31, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.–September 4 at 11:59 p.m. local time
- Remote Raid participation cap raised to 30 per day
- A chance of a Special Background on Pokémon caught from the event's Mega Raids
- More frequent wild Pikachu, Dratini, Skarmory, Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, and other featured species
Mega Raids made up most of the event's raid activity, offering Energy for a range of Mega Evolutions. Seasonal bosses could also appear as specified by the event page.
Mega Ascension Daily Mega Raid Features
| Date | Featured Mega Evolutions |
|---|---|
| August 31 | Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, Mega Malamar |
| September 1 | Mega Falinks |
| September 2 | Mega Skarmory |
| September 3 | Mega Starmie |
| September 4 | Mega Raichu X, Mega Raichu Y |
Mega Latias and Mega Latios could also appear during the event. Their inclusion did not mean a guaranteed raid at every Gym.
For missing Mega Pokédex entries, prioritize an initial unlock. For Pokémon already registered, set an Energy target instead of raiding without a stopping point.
Choosing Your Mega Finale GO Pass Path
Branching Timed Research let you select Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie. Your choice determined the corresponding GO Pass path and featured rewards.
The free GO Pass offered enough Mega Energy for a first Mega Evolution of your selected line when you progressed through the required rewards.
Choosing Chespin
Chespin's line leads to the Grass/Fighting-type Mega Chesnaught.
The source emphasized staying power and maintaining a relevant Mega boost for other Trainers' Grass- or Fighting-type attacks. That was a proposed role, not a guarantee of the best clear time against every boss.
Choosing Fennekin
Fennekin's line leads to the Fire/Psychic-type Mega Delphox.
The source favored its offensive Fire role for a roster lacking attackers against suitable Ice-, Grass-, Bug-, or Steel-type targets.
Choosing Froakie
Froakie's line leads to the Water/Dark-type Mega Greninja.
The source treated it as an offensive Water option, with damage potential balanced against lower durability. Actual results depended on moves, Mega Level, and the boss.
Which Path Made Sense?
For an attacking role, the source highlighted Mega Delphox and Mega Greninja.
- Fennekin for a Fire-type gap
- Froakie for a Water-type gap
- Chespin for a Grass/Fighting role and the source's preferred staying-power approach
Compare those roles with the Mega Evolutions you already own and the bosses you expect to face. A gap in your roster is a clearer reason to choose than a general popularity ranking.
GO Fest 2026 Mega Finale: Main Details
Mega Finale ran September 5–6, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time each day, including those clock hours at North American play locations.
Mega Mewtwo was the central raid feature.
- September 5: Mega Mewtwo X
- September 6: Mega Mewtwo Y
- No Remote Raid participation limit during the event weekend
- An extra CP boost for all Mega-Evolved Pokémon
- A chance of Special Backgrounds from the applicable Mega Raid catches
- Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie appeared in every habitat
Mega Mewtwo appeared in Super Mega Raids with a shield mechanic. Organizing a capable group and preparing appropriate counters mattered more than assuming an ordinary Mega Raid's difficulty.
September 5: Mega Mewtwo X Day
Saturday featured Mega Mewtwo X in Super Mega Raids at selected Gyms. Ordinary Mega Raid features rotated by local hour as follows.
| Starting local hours | Featured Mega Raids |
| 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. | Mega Beedrill, Mega Victreebel, Mega Pinsir, Mega Abomasnow |
| 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. | Mega Alakazam, Mega Slowbro, Mega Starmie, Mega Medicham |
| Noon and 4:00 p.m. | Mega Gengar, Mega Houndoom, Mega Banette, Mega Malamar |
| 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. | Mega Raichu X, Mega Ampharos, Mega Manectric |
Mega Mewtwo X is Psychic/Fighting. Flying, Ghost, and Fairy attacks are super effective; the source suggested examples such as Mega Rayquaza, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and Mega Gengar. Match the actual attacks and boss moves rather than relying on species names alone.
September 6: Mega Mewtwo Y Day
Sunday featured Mega Mewtwo Y in Super Mega Raids.
| Starting local hours | Featured Mega Raids |
| 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. | Mega Steelix, Mega Skarmory, Mega Aggron, Mega Glalie |
| 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. | Mega Sharpedo, Mega Camerupt, Mega Lopunny, Mega Falinks |
| Noon and 4:00 p.m. | Mega Gyarados, Mega Aerodactyl, Mega Dragonite, Mega Altaria |
| 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. | Mega Raichu Y, Mega Sableye, Mega Mawile, Mega Audino |
Mega Mewtwo Y is pure Psychic, making Bug, Ghost, and Dark attacks super effective. Dawn Wings Necrozma, Mega Tyranitar, and Mega Gengar were examples to compare with the moves and teams you actually had.
Wild Catch Priorities
Eight habitats rotated across the finale. Picking useful targets was more practical than trying to catch every species equally.
The Source's Catch Shortlist
- Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie: prepare their new Mega Evolutions
- Beldum: Metagross Candy and usable IVs
- Dratini: Dragonite and Mega Dragonite development
- Ralts: Gardevoir and Mega Gardevoir preparation
- Scyther: Scizor and Mega Scizor development
- Gastly: Gengar and Mega Gengar preparation
- Drilbur: Excadrill development
- Skiddo: Pokédex entries and Candy
The Kalos starters appeared in every habitat, making your selected line a consistent Candy and IV target throughout the rotations.
Before Buying GO Pass Deluxe
Upgrading added Deluxe rewards while retaining access to the free track's unlocked rewards.
- Additional Mega Energy for the selected line
- Bonus Candy and Candy XL from Mega Raids
- Increased Shiny chance for specified eligible encounters
- Bonus XP
- An avatar shirt themed after the selected starter's final Evolution
The upgrade was most relevant if its rewards matched substantial planned play. For an initial Mega unlock, the free track already offered a route to the needed Energy. These offers and bonuses belong to the ended event.
The Original Preparation Checklist
Before the event, the source recommended:
- Prepare appropriate Mega Mewtwo counters.
- Stock Potions and Revives.
- Budget Raid Passes and Remote Raid Passes separately.
- Clear Pokémon Storage and Item Bag space.
- Choose Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie for your pass path.
- Coordinate groups for the specific Mega Mewtwo X and Y days.
- Identify missing Mega entries and the Energy each goal requires.
The suggested order was Mega Mewtwo first, followed by new Mega unlocks and Energy for gaps in your teams. That was a participation strategy rather than a guarantee of catches, Shinies, or a fixed combat ranking.
Clear goals made the short event easier to manage. For current participation, use the latest event calendar; this recap does not extend the September raid or reward windows.
Regional and version notes
English localization reviewed October 23, 2026. Global local-time schedules follow your play location, including North America. Korea-only schedules remain KST and Japanese airport schedules remain JST. Ended event windows do not provide new claim opportunities. Team choices and tier comparisons are editorial, not guaranteed catches, wins, or a continuously updated ranking. Mega Ascension and Mega Finale have ended. Remote Raid cap increases did not supply Remote Passes. Catch and raid priorities, Mega durability comparisons, and upgrade order are the original author’s strategic guidance. Some illustrations are retained from the Korean edition and may include Korean labels. Use the English article text for instructions.
Localization sources checked October 23, 2026 (Korea time):