Update, October 12, 2026: the Mega Squads event ended on September 14, 2026 (the Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom raids ended on September 15). We rewrote this page as a verified recap, and removed an unconfirmed tip about Spotlight Hour bonuses. For what is live now, see the October 2026 events calendar.
Event Recap: What Happened
The Mega Squads event ran from Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. to Monday, September 14, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. It introduced Super Max Mega Level for Mega Beedrill and Mega Houndoom, the Pokémon GO debut of Maschiff and Mabosstiff, and the first Shiny Flamigo.
Super Max Mega Level Explained
Mega Levels are the progression system for a Pokémon’s Mega Evolution. Super Max sits above Max, so a Pokémon has to reach the third level (Max) first. Mega Evolving alone does not get you there, because you need that Pokémon’s own Mega Energy. At Super Max, a Mega Evolved Pokémon gains an extra Charged Attack whose power grows with its Mega Level:
| Pokémon | New move | Trainer Battles | Raid Battles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Beedrill | Fell Stinger+ | 40 power, raises Attack by one stage | 140 power |
| Mega Houndoom | Dark Pulse+ | 60 power | 150 power |
Niantic’s announcement did not state the Mega Energy cost of each level. Bulbapedia’s Mega Evolution page lists four levels (Base, High, Max and Super Max) and gives specific costs, which can change, so check in game before spending.
Raids, Wild Spawns and Eggs
- Mega Beedrill raids: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:00 p.m. local time (per Leek Duck).
- Mega Houndoom raids: Friday, September 11, 2026, 6:00 a.m. to Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:00 p.m. local time. Both raids therefore ran about a day past the main event’s end.
- Spotlight Hours (6:00 to 7:00 p.m.): Weedle on Thursday, September 10 (Kakuna and Beedrill also possible), and Houndour on Sunday, September 13 (Houndoom also possible).
- Wild, whole event: Weedle and Flamigo. September 8 to 11 added Pidgey and Rookidee; September 11 to 14 added Houndour and Carvanha.
- Increased Shiny odds: Pidgey from September 8 to 11 (10:00 a.m.), Carvanha from September 11 (10:00 a.m.) to the event’s end.
- 5 km Eggs: Emolga, Fletchling, Rookidee and Flamigo until September 11 at 10:00 a.m.; then Sandile, Pancham, Maschiff and Flamigo until the event ended.
Maschiff and Shiny Flamigo
Maschiff (Rascal Pokémon) could be found in 5 km Eggs, Field Research and the GO Pass. It evolves into Mabosstiff for 50 Maschiff Candy. Shiny Flamigo was available in the wild, from Eggs, and through Field Research and the GO Pass. Niantic’s page did not give a Shiny rate.
GO Pass: Mega Squads
The free pass was granted automatically on September 8. At Rank 1 you had a chance of Mega Energy for catching Weedle, Pidgey, Houndour or Carvanha, and Rank 15 gave 2× Hatch Stardust (Deluxe holders also got half Egg hatch distance). Deluxe cost US$4.99, or US$6.99 with six extra ranks. Progress ended September 14, and unclaimed rewards expired on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
What To Do Now That It Has Ended
- Evolve and keep your Maschiff. Mabosstiff costs 50 Maschiff Candy. The Candy Calculator will tell you how many more you need.
- Do not burn Mega Energy early. Reaching Max is required before Super Max, so build one Pokémon up properly rather than spreading energy thinly.
- Rebuild Mega Energy through other routes. Niantic names Mega Raids as the source. Bulbapedia also lists Buddy walking for Mega Energy once the Mega form is in your Pokédex, so a Weedle or Houndour buddy can still help.
- Put your Eggs to use. The Egg pool and hatch bonuses ended with the event. Our Egg guide covers what each distance holds.
- Check IVs on your Shiny Flamigo. A Shiny is cosmetic, so only power it up if the stats are decent. Try the IV Calculator.
Will It Return?
Nothing has been announced about Super Max returning for Beedrill or Houndoom, or about another Mega Squads event. There is precedent for the Megas appearing in raids on other dates. Mega Houndoom has appeared in Mega Raids from November 23 to December 1, 2022, September 14 to 26, 2024, and May 1 to 12, 2025. Mega Beedrill had a Mega Raid run from November 18 to 27, 2024. Niantic announces returns on its own schedule.
Related Guides
- Pokémon GO Events in October 2026
- Live Now in Pokémon GO
- Beginner’s Guide to Raids
- Egg Guide: Distances and Hatch Odds
- Buddy System Explained
- Shiny Pokémon Guide and Odds
- Pokémon GO events hub
Sources: Pokémon GO official news: Mega Squads; Leek Duck: Mega Squads; Leek Duck: Mega Beedrill raids; Leek Duck: Mega Houndoom raids; Leek Duck: Mega Houndoom (2022); Leek Duck: Mega Houndoom (2024); Leek Duck: Mega Houndoom (2025); Leek Duck: Mega Beedrill (2024); Bulbapedia: Mega Evolution (GO).
