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Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition is one of the biggest celebration events of 2026. It brings rotating first partner Pokémon, huge catch XP bonuses, team-specific Special Backgrounds, event raids, GO Pass rewards, and a paid Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude that leads to Shiny Shaymin.
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The event runs from Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, July 27, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. Since the featured Pokémon change every few days, this is not an event you want to play casually without a plan. If you care about XP, Shiny hunting, legacy moves, or rare backgrounds, the timing of your grind matters a lot.
This guide focuses on the Ultra Unlock event itself. If you are also following the wider GO Fest 2026 storyline, you can check our Pokémon GO A Thunderous Discovery Special Research guide for the related Special Research breakdown.
Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition Event Overview
| Event Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition |
| Date | July 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – July 27, 2026, 8:00 p.m. local time |
| Main Bonus | First partner Pokémon may have a team-specific Special Background |
| Catch XP Bonus | 6×, 8×, then 10× XP depending on the date |
| Main Wild Spawns | First partner Pokémon from Kanto through Paldea |
| Lure Spawns | Beldum, Gible, Dreepy, and more |
| Paid Research | Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude |
| Main Paid Reward | Shiny Shaymin encounter |
| Free Progression | GO Pass: 10th Anniversary |
| Extra Mini Event | Willow’s Birthday Research on July 21 |
What Are the Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition Bonuses?
The main reason to grind this event is the mix of Special Background hunting and massive catch XP. First partner Pokémon may appear with a team-specific Special Background, and that background is based on the team you are on when the encounter begins. Team Instinct, Team Mystic, and Team Valor players can all chase their own version of the background, which gives the event a strong collector angle.
Trainers without a team cannot encounter first partner Pokémon with this Special Background. If your account has not joined a team yet, you should do that before the event starts. Otherwise, you may miss one of the most important features of the anniversary event.
The catch XP bonus also grows stronger as the event continues. The first part of the event gives 6× XP, the middle window increases that to 8× XP, and the final stretch reaches 10× XP. Because of this, players with limited Lucky Eggs should save most of them for the last part of the event.
| Date | Catch XP Bonus | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| July 21, 10:00 a.m. – July 23, 10:00 a.m. | 6× XP | Good early farming window |
| July 23, 10:00 a.m. – July 25, 10:00 a.m. | 8× XP | Better for Lucky Egg sessions |
| July 25, 10:00 a.m. – July 27, 8:00 p.m. | 10× XP | Best overall XP grind window |
Which Pokémon Spawn During Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition?
Wild encounters rotate during the event. Each window focuses on first partner Pokémon from different regions, so the best day to play depends on which starters you want most. These Pokémon can also be Shiny if you are lucky.
From July 21 at 10:00 a.m. to July 23 at 10:00 a.m. local time, Trainers can encounter first partner Pokémon from Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn. This includes Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip. This is the best window for classic starter fans, especially players still looking for strong Mudkip, Charmander, or Treecko catches.
From July 23 at 10:00 a.m. to July 25 at 10:00 a.m. local time, the event shifts to Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos starters. During this period, Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie will appear more often. Froakie is one of the biggest highlights here because Greninja with Hydro Cannon is still a very popular pick for many players.
The final spawn window runs from July 25 at 10:00 a.m. to July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time. This part features Alola, Galar, and Paldea starters, including Rowlet, Litten, Popplio, Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. This is also the strongest overall grind window because it overlaps with the 10× catch XP bonus.
What Pokémon Can Be Attracted by Lure Modules?
Normal Lure Modules can attract Beldum, Gible, Dreepy, and more during Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition. This makes Lures much more valuable than usual, especially if you are playing in an area with many PokéStops.
Beldum and Gible are long-term account value Pokémon because their evolutions are useful for raids, Master League, and general PvE power. Dreepy is also worth chasing because it is normally harder to find. If you plan to use Lures, the best timing is during the 8× or 10× XP window, when every extra spawn also gives more value.
Which Raids Are Available During the Event?
Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition includes both one-star and three-star raids. The raid lineup is more collector-focused than power-focused, so you do not need to spend all your passes here unless you care about costumes, Shiny checks, or Special Backgrounds.
| Raid Tier | Pokémon |
|---|---|
| One-Star Raids | Grimer wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raids | Raticate wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raids | Nidorino wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raids | Gengar wearing a party hat |
| Three-Star Raids | Wobbuffet wearing a party hat |
Among these raids, Gengar wearing a party hat will likely be the most attractive target for many players. It has strong collector appeal, Shiny potential, and more fan value than most of the other raid bosses. Still, the main value of the event is in wild spawns, XP farming, GO Pass progress, and Featured Attack evolutions.
Which Featured Attacks Can You Get During Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition?
During the event, evolving first partner Pokémon can give their final evolutions special Charged Attacks. These moves are some of the most important legacy-style moves in Pokémon GO, so this is a very good chance to evolve any strong starter Pokémon you have saved.
| Pokémon Type | Final Evolutions | Featured Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Grass-type starters | Venusaur, Meganium, Sceptile, Torterra, Serperior, Chesnaught, Decidueye, Rillaboom, Meowscarada | Frenzy Plant |
| Fire-type starters | Charizard, Typhlosion, Blaziken, Infernape, Emboar, Delphox, Incineroar, Cinderace, Skeledirge | Blast Burn |
| Water-type starters | Blastoise, Feraligatr, Swampert, Empoleon, Samurott, Greninja, Primarina, Inteleon, Quaquaval | Hydro Cannon |
For most accounts, the safest evolutions are Swampert with Hydro Cannon, Greninja with Hydro Cannon, Charizard with Blast Burn, and Venusaur with Frenzy Plant. These Pokémon have clear use cases and remain popular choices across different parts of the game.
You do not need to evolve every starter just because the event allows it. Focus on Pokémon with good IVs, useful PvP spreads, or real collection value. If your Candy is limited, save your best catches first and decide after you finish farming.
Is Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude Worth Buying?
Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude costs US$4.99, or the equivalent pricing tier in your local currency. It leads to an encounter with Shiny Shaymin, which makes it mainly valuable for collectors.
This is not a short research line that you finish in one sitting. Masterwork Research is designed to take a long time, and after you receive it, you can complete it at any time. To unlock it, you must open Pokémon GO during the Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition event after buying the ticket.
The ticket is worth considering if you want Shiny Shaymin or enjoy long-term research goals. However, if you only care about XP, wild starter farming, or raid value, this ticket is not required. Trainers who already obtained Glimmers of Gratitude before also cannot purchase it again.
How Does GO Pass: 10th Anniversary Work?
The GO Pass: 10th Anniversary is a free limited-time progression track. Trainers automatically receive it on July 21 at 10:00 a.m. local time. By completing Pass Tasks and earning GO Points, you can increase your rank and unlock rewards.
The free GO Pass includes rewards such as the 10th Anniversary Tee (Yellow), Golden Lure Module, event-themed Pokémon encounters, and other items. You can collect GO Points and rank up until July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
One important detail is the reward claim deadline. Rewards unlocked in the GO Pass expire on July 29 at 7:59 p.m. local time, so make sure you claim everything before it disappears. From July 25 at 12:00 a.m. to July 27 at 7:59 p.m. local time, there is also no daily limit for GO Points, which makes the final weekend the best time to push your rank.
Is GO Pass Deluxe Worth It?
GO Pass Deluxe is the paid version of the event pass. It costs US$4.99, while GO Pass Deluxe + 6 Ranks costs US$6.99 and gives enough GO Points to reach Rank 7 right away. If you need more in-game resources before the final grind window, you can also check the Pokémon GO top-up page before upgrading or farming.
The paid version gives upgraded rewards and faster progression. You can upgrade at any time and still collect rewards from previously unlocked ranks, which means you do not need to buy it immediately on day one. If you want to see how much you play first, you can wait and upgrade later.
| Pass Version | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Free GO Pass | Free | Casual players and F2P grinders |
| GO Pass Deluxe | US$4.99 | Players who want better rewards |
| GO Pass Deluxe + 6 Ranks | US$6.99 | Players who want a faster start |
The free GO Pass unlocks 2× Candy for catching Pokémon at Rank 10 and an increased chance to receive Candy XL at Rank 20. GO Pass Deluxe improves the Rank 10 bonus to 3× Candy for catching Pokémon. Because of this, the paid version is more attractive if you plan to catch a lot during the event.
For casual players, the free pass is enough. For active players who will grind during the 10× XP window, GO Pass Deluxe has much better value.
What Is Willow’s Birthday Research?
Willow’s Birthday Research takes place on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. This mini event introduces Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu, a new costumed Pokémon that can appear through Field Research, Timed Research, snapshot surprises, and raids.
Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu may also be Shiny or have a team-specific Special Background if you are lucky. It appears in one-star raids during the birthday event, and its raid availability continues until July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
If you care about costume Pokémon, July 21 is an important day to play. Even if you do not plan to grind the full event from the start, it is worth logging in and checking the birthday research content.
Best Farming Plan for Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition
Before the event starts, clear your Pokémon storage and prepare enough Poké Balls. This event rewards high-volume catching, so running out of space or items during a boosted XP window will feel terrible. You should also save Lucky Eggs for the later parts of the event, especially the final 10× XP period.
The first window, from July 21 to July 23, is best for players who want Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn starters with Special Backgrounds. This is also when Willow’s Birthday Research begins, so costume collectors should not skip the opening day.
The second window, from July 23 to July 25, is better for XP and Kalos starter hunting. Froakie is the biggest target here for many players, especially if you still need a strong Greninja with Hydro Cannon.
The final window, from July 25 to July 27, is the best overall time to grind. It has the strongest XP bonus, no daily GO Points limit, late-generation starter spawns, and the last chance to push GO Pass rewards. If you only have one long play session during the event, this is the part you should prioritize.
Is Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition Worth Playing?
Yes, Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition is absolutely worth playing, especially if you care about XP, starter Pokémon, Shiny checks, Special Backgrounds, or legacy-style starter moves.
The event gives value to almost every type of player. Casual Trainers can grab free avatar items, event stickers, and GO Pass rewards. Collectors can chase costumed Pokémon and team-specific backgrounds. Hardcore players can farm massive XP and evolve starters for Featured Attacks.
The only weak point is that the raid lineup is not very power-focused. If you do not care about party hat Pokémon or Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu, you can safely focus on wild grinding instead.
Overall, this is a strong anniversary event because it is easy to understand, easy to farm, and useful for both free-to-play and paid players. If you are planning more Pokémon GO content around this period, our Pokémon GO Summer Quest guide can also help you track another limited-time event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can first partner Pokémon have Special Backgrounds during Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition?
Yes. First partner Pokémon may have a team-specific Special Background during the event. The background depends on your team when the encounter begins. Trainers without a team cannot encounter these Special Background versions.
What is the best day to play Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition?
The best overall window is July 25 to July 27, because the event reaches 10× catch XP and removes the daily GO Points limit. This is the strongest time for Lucky Egg farming, GO Pass progress, and high-volume catching.
Is GO Pass Deluxe worth buying for this event?
GO Pass Deluxe is worth buying if you plan to play actively and want extra rewards. The free GO Pass is already useful, but the paid track gives upgraded rewards and faster progression. Casual players can stay F2P without missing the main wild spawns.
Should I buy Masterwork Research: Glimmers of Gratitude?
Buy it if you want Shiny Shaymin or enjoy long-term Masterwork Research. Skip it if you only care about XP farming, wild starters, or raids. It is a collector-focused ticket, not a must-buy power upgrade.
Which Pokémon should I evolve for Featured Attacks?
The safest choices are Swampert, Greninja, Charizard, Venusaur, Empoleon, Primarina, Skeledirge, and Meowscarada. These Pokémon benefit from strong Featured Attacks and are useful for many accounts.
Jul 14, 2026
Pokémon Go
