Pokémon GO Forever Forward: July 2026 Events, Raichu Mega Day & Ultra Unlock!

Welcome back, trainers, to your essential Pokémon GO community update! The Forever Forward season is absolutely packed with content, and July is shaping up to be one of the most intense months in recent memory. From the highly anticipated debut of Shadow Palkia to the controversial Raichu Super Mega Raid Day, and finally culminating in the massive 10th Anniversary Ultra Unlock event, there is no shortage of reasons to step outside—or to strategically plan your next in-game move. We've scoured the top Discord servers and Reddit communities to bring you the hottest debates, the most anticipated mechanical changes, and the trading trends you need to know about. Plus, for those looking to maximize their gameplay efficiency, we’ll share exclusive tips on how iEasyGPS can help you catch every single regional exclusive and conquer every raid hour. Let's dive into the summer chaos!

Community Hot Topics 🔥

Super Mega Raid Day Controversy: Raichu X & Y

The biggest talking point across every Pokémon GO community this month is the arrival of Super Mega Raids featuring Raichu X and Raichu Y. While the debut of these alternate Mega Evolutions is undeniably exciting, the format has left a sour taste in the mouths of many dedicated raiders. The event is scheduled for just three hours (2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time on July 18th), which has sparked a massive debate about accessibility and fairness.

Reddit user mattyoukhana voiced a common frustration: "Why are we getting a 3-hour Super Mega Raid Day featuring 2 Mega Evolutions and a 6-hour Super Mega Raid Day featuring 1 Mega Evolution?" This sentiment was echoed across Discord, with many players arguing that managing two separate Mega lines—both requiring significant Candy and energy—within a tight window is overly stressful. Furthermore, the restriction preventing players from using their own Mega or Primal Pokémon in these raids has drawn sharp criticism. Another Reddit user, OkBuyer-, posted a scathing take: "If the super mega raids are end game content, we should be able to bring mega+primal to them. wtf did i double move level fifty this thing for? to meme transfer?"

The community is calling for an extension or a two-day format to allow for proper farming. Despite the gripes, the allure of a Shiny Raichu X or Y with a special background (BG) is driving high turnout. Be prepared for crowded lobbies and make sure to stock up on Raid Passes well in advance.

The Trinket Trade Economy: BG Mewtwo & Armored Fiends

With the introduction of Lucky Trinkets, the trading scene has absolutely exploded. The "Forever Forward" season has injected a massive amount of high-value Legendary Pokémon back into the raid pool, and players are scrambling to secure Shiny Background (BG) Legendaries. A quick glance at the #trading channels reveals a singular obsession: "FT-Armored Mewtwo LF-Shiny Location BG Legendaries."

One trainer, taher7632, perfectly summarized the frustration: "I'm looking for this... What u want mate 👀 Same here , i can't fly (spoof) 🤧" This highlights the eternal struggle in the Pokémon GO community—the immense value gap between local traders and those who use spoofing tools to teleport globally. Trades like "Shiny Rayquazza + trinket for shiny bg Rayquazza" are common, showing that the Lucky Trinket is often used as a sweetener to close deals on extremely rare background variants. If you hold a Shiny Mewtwo or a Shiny Necrozma with a background, you have the hottest currency in the game right now.

Costume Chaos: Anniversary Pikachu & Dex Bugs

The Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration is just around the corner, and collectors are gearing up to catch yet another variant of the iconic mouse. However, not everything is going smoothly in the world of costume collecting. A player on TheSilphRoad subreddit, MrFind_, posted a concerning bug: "Ever since the dex update, the old Santa hat Pikachu isn't showing up in my dex. The Raichu version is. And I still have both in my storage. Does anyone know a fix?"

This has caused considerable anxiety among collectors who have meticulously gathered every costume variant over the years. The fear that Niantic’s dex updates might accidentally delete or hide certain entries is real, especially with the sheer volume of Pikachu forms in existence. Questions like "What pikachus are best focus from raids?" and "What are the shiny odds of costume pikachu?" are flooding the advice channels as players prepare for the anniversary festivities. The general consensus? Never transfer a costume Pikachu until you are absolutely sure it is safely registered in your shiny dex.

Shadow Palkia & The Grind is Real

The arrival of Shadow Palkia in Shadow Raids is a major power leap for the game. Trainers are already discussing its viability in Master League and as a Dragon-type raid attacker. The difficulty of these raids, requiring a dedicated group with high-level counters, has been a hot topic. One user, jnr_moonlight, commented on the logistics: "Sunday was a bother though since I went elsewhere, a lot of times I struggled to kill it... About 25 of us, in 2 lobbies."

Even with large groups, the tight time limit and the need for Purified Gems make Shadow Palkia a challenging catch. The debate over whether to purify for the 100% IV boost or keep it shadow for the 20% attack bonus is raging on. The general advice leans towards keeping it shadow, as its damage output in raids is monstrous, even with less bulk.

GO Battle League: Fantasy & Retro Cup Meta Shifts

The GO Battle League is cycling through several exciting formats this month, starting with the Ultra League and Fantasy Cup: Ultra League Edition, followed by the Master League and Retro Cup: Great League Edition. The Retro Cup, in particular, is generating buzz because it removes XL Pokemon from the equation, allowing players with older, maxed-out mons to compete on a more level playing field.

Players are sharing moveset advice, with one Redditor, ChancellorPalpameme, correcting a question about Mega Mewtwo X: "As a fighting attacker, his best moveset is Counter + Focus Blast. Counter and Psystrike are legacy moves, so i wouldn't take psystrike off, I would add another move and then TM it to be Focus Blast." This kind of expert-level theorycrafting is keeping the PvP community engaged throughout the season.

Upcoming Pokémon GO Events 📅

Pro Tips with iEasyGPS 💡

With an event schedule as dense as this one, time is your most valuable resource. The debate between local players and spoofers heats up during events like the Raichu Super Mega Raid Day and the Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary. Why tie yourself to a single biome or city when the world is your oyster? Using iEasyGPS, the leading iOS location spoofer, you can instantly teleport to the most active raid hubs on the planet—think Zaragoza, New York City, or Tokyo—ensuring you never struggle to fill a lobby. This is especially critical for the 3-hour Raichu X and Y window, where every minute counts.

The Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary event will likely feature region-exclusive Pokémon or specific biome-dependent spawns. Instead of relying on eggs or hoping for a local nest, iEasyGPS allows you to jump straight to the source. Catching a Pachirisu in the wild in Canada or a Heracross in South America is just a tap away. Furthermore, the trading market is hot for Background Legendaries. By spoofing to specific locations where these backgrounds are obtainable, you gain a significant advantage in trades, allowing you to collect high-value assets without spending a dime on plane tickets.

Staying safe while maximizing your gameplay is essential. iEasyGPS includes a built-in cooldown timer that helps you avoid soft-bans. This is critical when jumping between Kyogre Raid Hours in different time zones or catching a worldwide Shundo. With its intuitive joystick and route auto-walker, you can hatch eggs, earn buddy candy, and control your Trainer exactly how you want, all while sitting comfortably at home. Power up your game, expand your collection, and conquer the Forever Forward season with the best iOS location spoofer on the market.

The Forever Forward season is reminding us why we love Pokémon GO—it's always evolving. Whether you're chasing down a Shadow Shiny Palkia, trying to complete your Pikachu costume collection, or battling your way to Legend rank in the Retro Cup, the tools you use can make all the difference. The community is buzzing, the events are stacked, and the potential for adventure is limitless.

Ready to take your game to the next level and never miss out on a regional exclusive or raid day again? Join our thriving community of top-tier trainers and check out the latest features designed to keep you ahead of the curve.

Visit iEasyGPS.com to download the app and start your global adventure today! Have questions or want to share your latest BG catch? Join our Discord community for real-time support and giveaways.