Pokémon GO’s next event is Mega Squads, running Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to Monday, September 14, 2026, 8:00 p.m. local time. It debuts two new Pokémon, a first-ever Shiny release, and a genuinely new mechanic: a fourth tier of Mega Evolution beyond “Max,” called Super Max.
Event Dates and Times
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Main event | Tuesday, September 8, 10:00 a.m. – Monday, September 14, 2026, 8:00 p.m. local time |
| Mega Beedrill raids | September 8 – 15 |
| Mega Houndoom raids | September 11 – 15 |
| Increased Shiny Pidgey | September 8, 10:00 a.m. – September 11, 10:00 a.m. |
| Increased Shiny Carvanha | September 11, 10:00 a.m. – September 14, 8:00 p.m. |
Pokémon Debuts and Shiny Debut
Maschiff and its evolution Mabosstiff make their Pokémon GO debut during this event (50 Candy to evolve Maschiff). Flamigo also gets its first-ever Shiny release, available in the wild, from Eggs, Field Research, and the event’s GO Pass.
New Mechanic: Super Max Mega Evolution
Mega Squads introduces Super Max, a fourth Mega Level beyond the existing “Max” tier. A Pokémon has to already be at Max level before Super Max becomes unlockable, and reaching it costs additional Mega Energy on top of what it took to reach Max — simply Mega Evolving isn’t enough. It’s first available for two Pokémon:
| Pokémon | Super Max Move | Trainer Battles | Raids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Beedrill | Fell Stinger+ | 40 power, +1 Attack stage | 140 power |
| Mega Houndoom | Dark Pulse+ | 60 power | 150 power |
Both moves scale in power with Mega Level, so a Super Max Beedrill or Houndoom hits noticeably harder than one still sitting at Max.
Raids
Mega Beedrill is in Mega Raids from September 8 through 15, and Mega Houndoom joins from September 11 through 15. Catching Weedle, Pidgey, Houndour, or Carvanha during the event gives a chance at picking up Mega Energy for their respective Mega-capable evolutions.
Spotlight Hours During the Event
Two Spotlight Hours (6:00 – 7:00 p.m. local time) fall inside the event window: Weedle on Thursday, September 10, and Houndour on Sunday, September 13 — both feeding directly into the Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom raid rotations above.
GO Pass: Mega Squads
The event’s free GO Pass is automatically granted at the start (September 8, 10:00 a.m.) and its rewards expire September 16 at 8:00 p.m. local time. A paid Deluxe upgrade is available for $4.99, or $6.99 for Deluxe plus six extra Ranks.
- Tier 1 (Rank 1): chance at Mega Energy from catching Weedle, Pidgey, Houndour, or Carvanha
- Tier 2 (Rank 15): 2× Hatch Stardust
- Deluxe bonus: half Egg hatch distance
Best Uses for Super Max Mega Beedrill and Houndoom
If you’re planning to invest the extra Mega Energy into Super Max, prioritize whichever of the two you’ll actually use in raids or Trainer Battles — Fell Stinger+ gives Beedrill a self-buffing Bug-type attack, while Dark Pulse+ gives Houndoom a harder-hitting Dark-type nuke. See our Mega Evolution guide for how Mega Energy and Mega Levels work in general before committing Candy and Energy to either.
Event Tips
- Catch as many Weedle, Pidgey, Houndour, and Carvanha as you can early in the event — Mega Energy drops from catches are your cheapest path to unlocking Super Max.
- Hold off on evolving Maschiff until you’ve decided whether you want a high-IV Mabosstiff, since Candy costs add up fast on a new debut.
- Don’t skip the two in-event Spotlight Hours if you’re farming Mega Energy — the Transfer Candy and Catch bonuses stack with the raid rotation.
Final Verdict
Mega Squads is a bigger deal than its short runtime suggests — two new debuts, a first-ever Shiny, and a genuinely new Mega Evolution tier that will likely show up again with future Mega-capable Pokémon. Worth clearing time for if you want an early Super Max Pokémon before everyone else has one.
Source: Leek Duck.
