Pokémon GO Forever Forward Season: A Complete July 2026 Community Update
The world of Pokémon GO is buzzing with excitement as we dive deep into the Forever Forward
season, celebrating the game's 10th anniversary in style. July 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most event-packed months in recent memory, with the debut of Shadow Palkia, a Raichu Super Mega Raid Day, the return of Kyogre, and an incredible Ultra Unlock event that has the community talking non-stop. Whether you're a dedicated raider, a PvP enthusiast, or a collector hunting those elusive costumed Pikachu variants, there's something for everyone. In this update, we're breaking down the hottest community discussions from Discord and Reddit, walking you through every upcoming event, and sharing how tools like iEasyGPS can help you make the most of every minute of gameplay. Let's jump in!
Community Hot Topics 🔥
The Pokémon GO community has been incredibly active across Discord and Reddit this past week. From heated debates about Mega Raid balance to exciting brag posts about shiny catches, here are the conversations that are lighting up the feeds.
The Great Raichu Super Mega Raid Debate
No topic has generated more discussion than the upcoming Raichu Super Mega Raid Day
. The community is divided on the structure of the event, which features two Mega Evolutions (Raichu X and Raichu Y) packed into a tight three-hour window. One prominent voice in the #general-discussion channel, mattyoukhana, sparked a lively debate by arguing that swapping Raichu and Starmie would have been a better design choice, saying, "My argument is that swapping Raichu and Starmie would've been better not only because of the longer event time with more raids in rotation, but also because a ZA DLC Mega is more 'Ultra Unlock worthy' than a ZA base game Mega."
This sentiment resonated with many players who feel that three hours for two different Mega forms is too short, especially for those unable to play during the entire window. User hahaitsrose. chimed in with a practical counterpoint: "yea they couldve split it 3 hours for both" — suggesting that even during the event, players could alternate between the two forms to maximize their chances. The conversation highlighted a growing frustration among the community about time-limited raid days that require precise coordination.
On Reddit, user OkBuyer- raised a related concern in r/TheSilphRoad with the post titled, "if the super mega raids are end game content, we should be able to bring mega+primal to them." The user lamented, "wtf did i double move level fifty this thing for? to meme transfer?" — capturing the frustration of players who invest heavily in Mega and Primal Pokemon only to find them ineffective in certain raid formats. This sparked a broader discussion about whether Super Mega Raids should allow more flexibility in team composition, with many agreeing that the current restrictions feel artificially limiting.
Costumed Pikachu Collecting Frenzy
With the Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration
just around the corner, collectors are sharpening their strategies. In the #chatting channel, user unknown073176 asked a question on everyone's mind: "What are the shiny odds of costume pikachu?" While no official confirmation was given, the thread quickly filled with anecdotal evidence, with many players reporting roughly 1 in 64 odds — the standard for event-boosted shiny rates. User chinpokomaster summed up the collector's mindset: "yeesh, glad I just do pikas" — a sentiment echoed by many who focus solely on building an exhaustive Pikachu costume collection.
Over in #chatroom, user silver_crow posed a fun hypothetical: "Imagine if instead of all these costume pikas but it was an event with every costumed pokemon." This sparked a lively discussion about dream events, with many players sharing their wishlists for all-costume showcases. Meanwhile, on Reddit, user MrFind_ encountered a frustrating bug in r/TheSilphRoad, reporting that "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." This bug report has garnered attention from the community, with many hoping Niantic addresses it before the anniversary event begins.
Shadow Palkia and Raid Meta Shifts
The arrival of Shadow Palkia in Shadow Raids has the raid community buzzing. In the Discord #pokémon-go-discussion channel, user jnr_moonlight shared a positive experience with a large group in Manhattan: "My CA kinda just let everyone run their own thing tbh, we had 20 easily per lobby so it didn't really matter." This contrasted sharply with another user, zoeyreaper, who questioned the logic of large parties, asking, "You wanted a 20 person lobby in Manhattan to fail cause someone brought in a Primal?" This exchange highlighted the ongoing tension between casual raiders and those optimizing for damage output, especially in Shadow Raids where type matchups and weather boosts can make or break a run.
On Reddit, user leonopardo posted in r/pokemongo asking for advice on using Mega Mewtwo X as a fighting attacker. The user had caught a level 100 Mewtwo during the recent Mega Mewtwo X raid day and wanted to optimize its moveset. Reddit user ChancellorPalpameme provided expert guidance: "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 community knowledge-sharing is invaluable for players looking to squeeze every ounce of performance from their raid teams.
Lucky Trinket Trading Craze
Lucky Trinkets continue to dominate trading channels. In the #🔄│trading-all channel, users are actively looking for mirror trades and offering their Lucky Trinket as leverage for desirable Pokemon. User jaum_zk posted simply: "LF MIRROR TRADE your trinket" — a request that has become increasingly common as players try to maximize their lucky Pokemon count. Meanwhile, user yohan3602 inquired about a specific trade: "for this exact one?" — highlighting the precision with which traders are approaching their exchanges.
On Reddit, user Few-Engineering-8490 posted in r/pokemongo asking, in Spanish, "Why don't people want to do remote guaranteed lucky trades? Am I missing something?" User crabshandy offered a practical explanation: "Maybe the novelty has worn off now? Also, the stardust cost can be too expensive sometimes." This observation rings true, especially for unregistered trades where the stardust cost can be prohibitive. Several community members noted that they reserve their Lucky Trinkets for special occasions, such as trading for shiny Legendaries with exclusive backgrounds — a sentiment echoed by user cubstrom in the #💱│trading channel, who offered an Armored Mewtwo in exchange for "Shiny Location BG Legendaries."
Spoofing and iOS Tools Discussion
As always, discussions about location spoofing and third-party tools remain active within the community. In the #flex-time channel, user timkerstens asked directly: "what did you use to get these? like what spoofer?" — a question that gets asked frequently as players seek reliable tools for Pokemon GO on iOS. User viciouslabs replied simply: "pgtools PaS", referencing a popular spoofing solution.
In the Chinese-language #寶可夢中文閒聊 channel, user joyce_69 provided helpful troubleshooting advice for fellow players: "如果登入 iAnyGo ios app 仍然是試用版你去找客服人員處理" (If logging into the iAnyGo iOS app still shows the trial version, you should contact customer service). This kind of peer-to-peer support is a cornerstone of the community, especially when dealing with technical issues related to spoofing tools. User nannan9510 asked a common follow-up question: "是不是無解" (Is there no solution?), to which joyce_69 replied asking if they had received an email to register a key. These conversations underscore the importance of reliable customer support for iOS location spoofing tools like iEasyGPS.
Upcoming Pokémon GO Events 📅
July 2026 is absolutely packed with events. We've organized everything you need to know — from season-long features to single-day raid events — so you can plan your gameplay accordingly.
🌍 Forever Forward Season
June 2, 2026 – September 8, 2026 | Season
The Forever Forward season marks Pokemon GO's 10th anniversary celebration, running all summer long. This season brings a host of new features, including Super Mega Raids, expanded GO Battle League rotations, and the introduction of several new Mega Evolutions. Season-long bonuses include increased XP from raids, bonus Stardust from catching, and special Field Research tasks that reward encounters with rare Pokemon. To participate, simply log in during the season period and take advantage of the boosted rewards. Be sure to check the in-game Today tab regularly for rotating bonuses.
👻 Shadow Palkia in Shadow Raids
July 1, 2026 – August 4, 2026 | Raid Battles
Shadow Palkia makes its debut in Pokemon GO during this extended Shadow Raid rotation. This legendary Dragon/Water-type Pokemon is one of the most powerful additions to the Shadow raid pool, and with the right team, it can be a formidable attacker. Shadow Palkia raids require careful coordination — you'll want to bring strong Dragon, Fairy, and Electric-type counters. Key Pokemon to use include Mega Rayquaza, Shadow Salamence, Xurkitree, and Togekiss. Shadow Raids are only accessible with Raid Passes (not Remote Raid Passes), so you'll need to be physically present near a Gym — or use a reliable iOS location spoofer like iEasyGPS to teleport to active raid locations.
🎫 GO Pass: July
July 7, 2026 – August 4, 2026 | GO Pass
The GO Pass system returns for July with a new set of rewards. This monthly ticketed system provides players with a progression path of rewards as they complete research tasks and earn XP throughout the month. The GO Pass offers both free and premium reward tracks, with premium track rewards including encounter with rare Pokemon, Premium Battle Passes, Star Pieces, and more. To participate, purchase the GO Pass from the in-game shop and start completing tasks. The pass is designed to complement the seasonal activities, making it easier to collect Stardust, XP, and rare items as you play.
⚔️ GO Battle League: Ultra League and Fantasy Cup
July 7, 2026 – July 14, 2026 | GO Battle League
The GO Battle League continues its rotating schedule with the Ultra League and the Fantasy Cup: Ultra League Edition. In the Ultra League, Pokemon with up to 2500 CP can compete, opening up a diverse meta that includes Pokemon like Giratina (Altered), Cresselia, Swampert, Talonflame, and Registeel. The Fantasy Cup introduces a type-restricted format that challenges players to think creatively with their team compositions. This is an excellent time to test your PvP skills and climb the leaderboard for those coveted encounter rewards. Participation requires just a Battle Pass and a competitive spirit — play from anywhere using iEasyGPS to ensure stable GPS connectivity during battles.
🥊 Mega Lucario in Mega Raids
July 13, 2026 – July 14, 2026 | Raid Battles
One of the most anticipated Mega Evolutions finally arrives! Mega Lucario brings incredible Fighting and Steel-type power to Mega Raids. Lucario is already a fan-favorite, and its Mega form is no exception — it boosts the damage of Fighting and Steel-type moves for all players in the raid, making it a valuable asset for taking down Rock, Ice, Dark, and Fairy-type raid bosses. As a Mega Raid boss, Lucario itself can be caught after defeating it. This is a limited 24-hour window, so plan accordingly. Mega Lucario raids will require strong counter Pokemon like Mega Charizard Y, Reshiram, and Shadow Entei for optimal damage. With iEasyGPS, you can teleport to any gym hosting a Mega Lucario raid, even if your local area has limited raid activity.
🎂 Special Anniversary Pikachu Celebration
July 13, 2026 – July 20, 2026 | Event
The 10th anniversary celebration kicks into high gear with a week-long Pikachu-focused event! During this period, special anniversary-costumed Pikachu will be appearing in the wild, in raids, and through Field Research tasks. This is a must-grind event for collectors, as these costumed variants are typically exclusive and may never return. Shiny odds for the anniversary Pikachu are expected to be boosted, making this the perfect time to hunt for a golden Pikachu. The event also features special Timed Research that rewards encounters with other party-themed Pokemon. To maximize your catches, use iEasyGPS to teleport to high-density spawn areas like major city parks (Central Park in New York, Hyde Park in London, or Ueno Park in Tokyo) where Pikachu spawns are plentiful.
⚔️ GO Battle League: Master League and Retro Cup
July 14, 2026 – July 21, 2026 | GO Battle League
The PvP rotation shifts to the Master League and Retro Cup: Great League Edition. In Master League, there are no CP limits, meaning fully powered-up Legendaries like Dialga, Groudon, and Mewtwo dominate the meta. This is the ultimate test of your collection's power. The Retro Cup returns with a Great League format that restricts the use of certain types, encouraging creative team building from a selected pool of Pokemon. This is a fantastic opportunity to try out unconventional picks and climb ranks. Whether you're battling at home or on the go, iEasyGPS ensures a stable GPS signal so you never miss a battle due to location drift.
🌊 Kyogre in 5-Star Raid Battles
July 15, 2026 – July 21, 2026 | Raid Battles
The legendary Whale Pokemon returns to 5-Star Raids! Kyogre is a premier Water-type attacker with its signature move, Origin Pulse, which is one of the best Water-type moves in the game. If you don't already have a strong Kyogre (or a shiny one), this is the week to raid hard. Kyogre is double-weak to Grass and Electric-type attacks, so your best counters include Mega Sceptile, Mega Manectric, Zekrom, Xurkitree, and Kartana. Kyogre's weather boost (Rain) also makes it a formidable challenge. With iEasyGPS, you can teleport to any raid location around the world, ensuring you never miss a Kyogre raid — even if your local gym scene is quiet.
🌿 Mega Sceptile in Mega Raids
July 15, 2026 – July 21, 2026 | Raid Battles
Running concurrently with Kyogre, Mega Sceptile returns to Mega Raids. This Mega Evolution amplifies Grass-type moves for all raiders, making it an excellent partner for Kyogre raids. Mega Sceptile is a powerful Grass-type attacker in its own right, and catching one with good IVs can be a game-changer for your raid teams. Like all Mega Raids, defeating Mega Sceptile rewards Mega Energy that you can use to evolve other Sceptile. The boss is weak to Flying, Fire, Ice, Poison, and Bug-type moves, so plan your team accordingly. With multiple raid bosses in rotation, iEasyGPS helps you quickly hop between gyms hosting different raids, optimizing your raid pass usage.
⏰ Kyogre Raid Hour
July 15, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time | Raid Hour
Every Wednesday during Kyogre's raid rotation, a dedicated Raid Hour will take place from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time. During this hour, a high concentration of Kyogre raids will spawn across all gyms, giving you ample opportunity to join multiple raids in rapid succession. This is the most efficient time to farm Kyogre candies, hunt for a shiny, or chase that elusive 100% IV Kyogre. Organize with friends or use remote raid tools to maximize your raids within the hour. With iEasyGPS, you can teleport to the most active raid clusters in cities like Tokyo, New York, or London, ensuring you never run out of raids to join during the Raid Hour window.
🦇 Zubat Spotlight Hour
July 16, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Local Time | Spotlight Hour
Every Tuesday, a featured Pokemon takes over the wild spawns for one hour. On July 16th, Zubat will be the star of the show, appearing en masse in the wild. While Zubat itself may not be the most exciting Pokemon, this Spotlight Hour is fantastic for farming Stardust quickly (thanks to the 2x Catch Stardust bonus that typically accompanies Spotlight Hours). You'll also have a higher chance of encountering a shiny Zubat (shiny Zubat is available), and after evolving, you can get a shiny Golbat or Crobat. Use this hour to stock up on Zubat candy and prep an XL candy farm for future power-ups. With iEasyGPS, teleport to a dense urban area with many PokeStops and spawn points to maximize your catches per minute.
⚡ Raichu Super Mega Raid Day
July 18, 2026, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Local Time | Raid Day
This is the headline event of the month! The Raichu Super Mega Raid Day introduces two new Mega Evolutions: Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y. Both forms will be available in Mega Raids during the three-hour event window. As discussed in the community hot topics section, there's been significant debate about the event's structure — but regardless, this is a historic moment for Pokemon GO. Raichu X boosts Fighting and Electric-type moves, while Raichu Y boosts Psychic and Electric-type moves. Both forms are highly collectible, and their shiny variants are absolutely stunning. To maximize your haul, prepare ahead: stock up on raid passes, coordinate with local groups or use remote raid services, and plan your route. With iEasyGPS, you can teleport between gyms hosting different forms, ensuring you catch both Mega Raichu X and Y within the limited time window.
🗑️ Dynamax Trubbish Max Monday
July 20, 2026, 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Local Time | Max Mondays
Max Mondays continue with Dynamax Trubbish appearing in Max Battles. While Trubbish may not be the most glamorous Pokemon, this event is an excellent opportunity to collect Dynamax Trubbish candies, hunt for a Dynamax shiny, and stock up on Max Particles. Dynamax Trubbish is relatively easy to solo, making it a great warm-up for harder Max Battles later. Participation requires visiting Power Spots (which appear around gyms and PokeStops) and using Max Particles. With iEasyGPS, you can navigate to the densest clusters of Power Spots in your chosen city, ensuring a steady stream of Max Battle opportunities.
🧪 Happy Birthday, Professor Willow!
July 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Local Time | Event
Join the global celebration for Professor Willow's birthday! This one-day event features special Field Research tasks, increased spawns of Pokemon associated with Willow's research (including Zorua, his favorite Pokemon), and a free Timed Research that rewards participants with an exclusive avatar item. This is a light-hearted event perfect for casual play, but don't underestimate the value of the exclusive rewards. The Timed Research is likely to include encounters with rare Pokemon and bonuses like double XP or Stardust for completing tasks. With iEasyGPS, you can participate from any time zone and still complete the research on your schedule.
🌟 Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition
July 21, 2026 – July 27, 2026 | Event
The grand finale of the 10th anniversary celebration! The Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition
is the culmination of the Forever Forward season's global challenges. Expect massive bonuses including increased shiny rates for certain species, exclusive raids featuring past Legendary Pokemon, and the debut of at least one new regional variant or costume Pokemon. Based on community data mining, there are hints of Mega Staraptor and other long-anticipated Mega Evolutions being tied to this event. The Ultra Unlock event typically features rotating habitat hours that showcase different biomes and their associated Pokemon. This is the week to go all-in — use iEasyGPS to teleport across the globe, hitting high-density spawn areas, completing research tasks, and joining raids for exclusive Ultra Unlock rewards. If you've been saving your Premium Raid Passes, this is the week to use them all.
Pro Tips with iEasyGPS 💡
With such a packed schedule, the biggest challenge for any Pokemon GO player is being everywhere at once. How can you possibly catch the Anniversary Pikachu, raid Kyogre, participate in the Raichu Super Mega Raid Day, and complete the Ultra Unlock research — all while balancing work, school, or daily life? That's where iEasyGPS comes in as your ultimate companion for the Forever Forward season.
iEasyGPS is a powerful yet user-friendly iOS location spoofer that lets you change your GPS location on iPhone without jailbreak. For Pokemon GO players, this means you can teleport to any raid location worldwide, walk around high-density spawn areas for the Anniversary Pikachu event, or reposition yourself to catch region-exclusive Pokemon during the Ultra Unlock. The tool works seamlessly with Pokemon GO, using coordinates import from platforms like LeekDuck to quickly jump to event hotspots. Need to be in Tokyo for the Raichu raid day? iEasyGPS can put you there in seconds with a simple coordinate paste. Want to walk around Central Park during the Pikachu event? The joystick mode makes movement feel natural, reducing the risk of detection.
Beyond convenience, iEasyGPS enhances your gameplay efficiency. During Raid Hours, you can queue up multiple raid locations and teleport between them as soon as each raid is defeated — no more waiting for gyms to refresh. For the Ultra Unlock event, you can explore different habitat zones globally, collecting Pokemon from each biome without the need for international travel. The tool also includes a built-in cooldown timer to help you manage the game's anti-cheat mechanics responsibly. Whether you're a casual collector aiming to complete your Pokedex or a hardcore raider chasing perfect IV Pokemon, iEasyGPS gives you the freedom to play Pokemon GO on your own terms, from anywhere in the world.
Conclusion
July 2026 is a landmark month for Pokemon GO. The Forever Forward season delivers on the promise of a 10th anniversary celebration with a spectacular lineup of events, raids, and new content. From the electrifying Raichu Super Mega Raid Day to the epic return of Kyogre and the intrigue of Shadow Palkia, there's never been a better time to dive back into the game or deepen your engagement. The community is more vibrant than ever, with passionate discussions shaping the way we play and experience these events.
To make the most of every event, every raid, and every spawn, consider using iEasyGPS to break free from geographical limitations. Visit iEasyGPS.com to learn more about how you can enhance your Pokemon GO experience. And don't forget to join our Discord community to connect with fellow trainers, share strategies, and get the latest updates on spoofing techniques and event guides. Here's to a summer of incredible catches, epic raids, and unforgettable Pokemon GO adventures! 🎉