Pokémon GO Forever Forward: July 2026 Event Guide & Community Reacts to Mega Mewtwo Chaos

By iEasyGPS Team ·

The dust is finally settling on the massive Pokémon GO Fest 2026, and what a wild ride it has been! Super Mega Raids, the return of Shadow Palkia, and the incredibly difficult Mega Mewtwo battles have completely taken over the community. As we sail deeper into the Forever Forward Forever Forward season, Niantic is keeping the pedal to the metal with a jam-packed July schedule.

In this edition of the iEasyGPS community roundup, we are diving into the biggest Reddit discussions—from the frustrating shield-breaking mechanic to the eternal search for the best spoofing coordinates. Then, we will break down every single upcoming event so you can plan your perfect grind. Let's get into it, Trainers!

Community Hot Topics 🔥

🥊 The Mega Mewtwo Meltdown: Too Hard or Just Right?

If there was one topic that dominated the subreddits this week, it was the brutal difficulty of the Mega Mewtwo Super Mega Raids. The new Shield mechanic required a full party of mega-evolved Pokémon to break through the boss’s defenses, and coordination—or lack thereof—led to a lot of wasted passes.

User u/Nirkid on TheSilphRoad perfectly encapsulated the frustration:

"As a single lobby host I can only invite 10 more people. The minimum for these raids are 10 mega Pokemon so 10 people should be enough, BUT! Because the margin is so slim many players just quit in the last few seconds... Even the numbers shows 11 players right before the raid starts."

This sentiment was echoed by u/Unable-Dimension-951, who reported not seeing any Mega Mewtwo raids despite having nearly ten gyms in their area. Other users pointed out that the raids were only spawning at former EX Raid gyms, making it a nightmare for rural players. The community consensus? The shield-breaking mechanic needs a serious rework, or at the very least, a pity system for players stuck on the last shield.

📍 The Eternal Hunt: Where to Spoof Now?

The spoofing community was buzzing with activity, specifically regarding the best places to maximize raid efficiency. User u/stremstrem asked the million-dollar question on r/PokemonGoSpoofing:

"I'm looking for spoofing locations and i've yet to find a location that is as stacked (pokestops, arenas, raids etc) as Bryant Park, any suggestions?"

The answers came flooding in. For Europe, Zaragoza, Spain was the top recommendation. For the Americas, Ibirapuera Park in São Paulo, Brazil took the crown. Coordinating time zones was a major discussion point, with players noting that Raid Hours in NYC hit at the perfect time for Asian spoofers winding down for the night.

We also saw users sharing direct coordinates for specific raids, like u/InevitableDaikon6850 sharing a Xurkitree raid location in India, and u/According-Local-3663 confirming a shiny Celesteela catch in São Paulo. The iEasyGPS community knows that having a reliable location spoofer is the only way to consistently hit these pinpoint coordinates.

🎁 Shiny Luck, FOMO, and the GO Pass Grind

Brag posts were flying across r/pokemongobrag and r/pokemongo. User u/CloudFunny902 struck gold, posting:

"MY FIRST RAID IN A MONTH, wasn’t even gonna do it... This is my first ever shundo too…"

Meanwhile, u/Nuclear_Mega_Storm shared a shiny catch from the GO Pass research, wondering if it was a guaranteed shiny. Others weren't so lucky. User u/Grouchy-Force2944 expressed the pain of being one Pokémon away from completing the pass to get the Ho-Oh reward, only to have to wait a full day. The GO Pass system continues to be a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but the FOMO is real.

🐛 Bugs, Glitches, and Legacy Moves

No update is complete without a few frustrating bugs. A major issue reported by u/Primary-Pause6339 on TheSilphRoad involved the Buddy Candy distance resetting without giving any reward. This bug also affected the Golden Bottle Cap Hyper Training progress, leaving players furious after walking long distances.

Legacy moves were another hot topic. With so many events overlapping, u/RaccoonsOnTheRift asked for a reliable list of which Pokémon could get their exclusive moves. The thread confirmed that all starter Pokémon evolved during the special event hours got their CD moves (Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn, etc.), while a user noted that Hydreigon did not get its legacy move, causing confusion.

On the technical side, users reported a severe desync exploit in GO Battle League that softlocks the opponent, ruining the competitive integrity of the ladder. If you are climbing the ranks this season, be wary of this bug.

Upcoming Pokémon GO Events 📅

July is absolutely stacked. From Shadow Legendaries to Gigantamax battles, here is your complete survival guide for the Forever Forward season.

Forever Forward Season

🌿 Season 23: Forever Forward

Dates: June 2, 2026 (10:00 AM) – September 8, 2026 (10:00 AM)

The overarching season that frames all our adventures. Expect rotating bonuses, special research, and a focus on the future of the Pokémon world. Participate by logging in daily and completing seasonal tasks.

View Event Details →
Shadow Palkia Shadow Raids

🌑 Shadow Palkia in Shadow Raids

Dates: July 1, 2026 (6:00 AM) – August 4, 2026 (10:00 PM)

The ruler of space returns in its Shadow form! This is a massive opportunity for both PvE and PvP players. You will need strong counters and a purified gem. Use a location spoofer to hunt for the best IV Shadow Palkia at gyms near you.

Raid Prep Guide →
GO Pass July 2026

🎫 GO Pass: July

Dates: July 7, 2026 (10:00 AM) – August 4, 2026 (10:00 AM)

The paid research track returns. Complete tasks daily to earn encounters, stardust, and rare candies. This month's pass is crucial for building resources for the heavy-hitting legendary raids later in July.

See Rewards →
Ultra Unlock 10th Anniversary

🎂 Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition

Dates: July 21, 2026 (10:00 AM) – July 27, 2026 (8:00 PM)

Celebrating a decade of Pokémon GO! Expect massive spawns, boosted shiny rates, and special research. This is the highlight of the month. Make sure you are in a highly dense city spawn area to take advantage of the increased spawns.

Celebrate Here →
GO Battle League Forever Forward

⚔️ GBL: Great, Ultra & Master League

Dates: July 21, 2026 (8:00 PM) – July 28, 2026 (8:00 PM)

All three main leagues are open simultaneously. This is the best week to climb the ranks if you have versatile teams. Master League is particularly spicy with the introduction of new legendary counters.

Battle Strategy →
Mega Salamence Raid

🐉 Mega Salamence in Mega Raids

Dates: July 22, 2026 (6:00 AM) – July 28, 2026 (10:00 PM)

The Dragon-type powerhouse returns to Mega Raids. This is a must-have for any Dragon-type attacker. You need a solid team of Ice, Dragon, or Fairy types to take it down.

Raid Counters →
Solgaleo Raid

☀️ Solgaleo in 5-Star Raids

Dates: July 22, 2026 (6:00 AM) – July 28, 2026 (10:00 PM)

The legendary Sun Pokémon makes its debut! This is a premier Psychic/Steel type. Solgaleo is incredibly tanky, so bring your best Dark, Fire, or Ghost type attackers.

Solgaleo Counters →
Dynamax Feebas Max Monday

💧 Dynamax Feebas (Max Monday)

Date: July 27, 2026 (6:00 AM – 9:00 PM)

A special Max Monday featuring the notoriously rare Feebas. Stock up on Max Particles and hit the Power Spots. This is your chance to get a Dynamax Milotic without walking hundreds of kilometers!

Max Battle Guide →
Choose Your Path Fairy Trail

🧚 Choose Your Path: Fairy Trail

Dates: July 28, 2026 (10:00 AM) – August 3, 2026 (8:00 PM)

A special event allowing you to choose a research path. The Fairy Trail promises encounters with Fairy-type Pokémon, stardust bonuses, and exclusive items. Perfect for building a Sylveon army for Master League.

Choose Your Path →
Great League and Master Premier

⚔️ GBL: Great League & Master Premier

Dates: July 28, 2026 (8:00 PM) – August 4, 2026 (8:00 PM)

The rotation shifts to Great League and the fan-favorite Master Premier (no legendaries allowed). This is the purest form of competition. Dust off your Shadow Metagross and Dragonite!

PvP Rankings →
Kyurem Raid

❄️ Kyurem in 5-Star Raids

Dates: July 29, 2026 (6:00 AM) – August 4, 2026 (10:00 PM)

The Boundary Pokémon returns. Kyurem is essential for both PvE (as a Dragon/Ice attacker) and PvP (Ultra League). It is also a prerequisite for the inevitable Fusion releases later this year. Stock up on Candy!

Kyurem Raid Guide →
Mega Aggron Raid

🛡️ Mega Aggron in Mega Raids

Dates: July 29, 2026 (6:00 AM) – August 4, 2026 (10:00 PM)

The ultimate Steel-type tank. Mega Aggron is a beast in raids and provides a useful Mega Boost for Steel types. Bring strong Fire or Fighting types to break through its ridiculous defense.

Best Counters →
Kyurem Raid Hour

⏰ Kyurem Raid Hour

Date: July 29, 2026 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

Every gym will be hosting a Kyurem raid for one hour. This is the most efficient time to use your Premium Raid Passes. Coordinate with local raiders or use remote passes to jump into the highest traffic lobbies.

Raid Hour Info →
Bidoof Spotlight Hour

🐹 Bidoof Spotlight Hour

Date: July 30, 2026 (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

The God of Pokémon takes the spotlight! Enjoy increased Bidoof spawns. The bonus for this hour is usually 2x Catch Stardust or Candy. Perfect for farming dust with a Star Piece active.

Spotlight Details →
Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day

🥁 Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day

Date: August 1, 2026 (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

The first Gigantamax starter! G-Max Rillaboom will be appearing in Power Spots. This is likely a very tough battle requiring a large group of players with maxed-out Dynamax Pokémon. Prepare your Metagross and Charizard for this one.

Max Battle Day Event →

Pro Tips with iEasyGPS 💡

We saw a lot of you asking, "How do I find a gym for Super Mega Raids?" or "Where can I find a raid lobby that won't quit at the last second?" The answer, especially for rural players, is often location flexibility. That's where iEasyGPS comes into play.

If you are struggling to find active gyms for the Shadow Palkia raids or the upcoming Gigantamax Rillaboom battle, you can use iEasyGPS to teleport to hotspots like Bryant Park (NYC), Ibirapuera Park (São Paulo), or Zaragoza (Spain) in seconds. No more walking empty streets—just instant access to the most active raiding hubs in the world. Plus, with the GO Battle League shakeups, staying safe and consistent while grinding is key, and iEasyGPS ensures you can always play from a stable environment.

Whether you are hunting for a perfect IV Solgaleo, farming stardust during the Bidoof Spotlight Hour, or simply want to finally complete the Ultra Unlock research, having a reliable iOS location spoofer ensures you never miss out on the action. Pair it with your favorite coordinate feeds to always be one step ahead of the meta.

It is shaping up to be an unforgettable summer in Pokémon GO. The "Forever Forward" season is delivering on its promise of non-stop content. Whether you are grinding the GO Pass, hunting for that perfect Shadow Palkia, or preparing for the Gigantamax Rillaboom Max Battle Day, we hope this guide helps you plan your perfect week.

What are you most excited for? Are you team "Mega Salamence" or team "Kyurem"? Let us know in the comments below. If you are looking for the best coordinates to teleport to, or just want to share your latest shiny catch, visit iEasyGPS.com or join our Discord community to connect with thousands of other dedicated trainers. Stay safe, stay shiny, and we'll see you in the next community update! ✨