Pokémon GO Ultra Unlock Starts 8× Catch XP Phase
Pokémon GO’s Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition moves into its 8× catch XP phase on July 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. local time. The bonus remains active until July 25 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
News summary
The middle rotation replaces the opening Kanto, Johto and Hoenn pool with nine first partners from Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos.
Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie receive boosted wild appearances during the 48-hour window.
First partner Pokémon can carry a team-specific Special Background determined by the Trainer’s team when the encounter begins.
The final rotation begins July 25 with 10× catch XP and first partners from Alola, Galar and Paldea.
Event overview
The Pokémon GO team divided Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition into three escalating catch-XP windows. The July 23 phase raises the multiplier from 6× to 8× while switching the regional first-partner pool for 48 hours.
Trainers can evolve eligible Grass-, Fire- and Water-type first partners during the event to obtain Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn or Hydro Cannon. Normal Lure Modules also have a chance to attract Beldum, Gible and Dreepy.
Key details
All phase changes use local time, so the 8× multiplier activates independently in each time zone rather than through one worldwide UTC unlock.
| Detail | Official schedule |
| 8× catch XP phase | July 23 at 10:00 a.m. to July 25 at 10:00 a.m. local time |
| Featured regions | Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos |
| Featured first partners | Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott, Chespin, Fennekin and Froakie |
| Special Background | Team-specific for eligible first partners; Trainers without a team are excluded |
| Next catch XP phase | 10× from July 25 at 10:00 a.m. to July 27 at 8:00 p.m. local time |
| Full event end | July 27, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time |
| GO Pass reward claim deadline | July 29, 2026 at 7:59 p.m. local time |
Trailer, screenshots, and media
The anniversary artwork features Professor Willow’s assistant Pikachu, the free Professor Willow-style avatar set and the GO Pass rewards supporting the July 21–27 event.
Source timeline
The Pokémon GO team announced on July 6 that completing 15 hourly Global Challenges during Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global would activate the 10th Anniversary Ultra Unlock. The team published the full event schedule on July 13, including the three catch-XP rotations. The 8× phase begins July 23 at 10:00 a.m. local time and runs for 48 hours.