In Pokémon GO, Raid Days (also known as Special Raid Challenges) are three-hour events which allow players to participate in Raid Battles against a featured Raid Boss. Most Gyms during this period of time will have the Boss active for one* hour, and if the Boss is defeated, the Pokémon encountered afterwards will have a 10% chance of being Shiny.[1] The raids repeat every hour approximately on the hour. Players may receive up to five additional free Raid Passes from Gyms during the three-hour window. Raid Days sometimes include event-exclusive moves, which may be known by the featured Pokémon if obtained during the raid hours (including via evolution or capture outside of raids).
List of Raid Days
Legendary Birds Raid Days (2018)
The first three Raid Challenges featured the legendary birds and were part of Professor Willow's Global Challenge 2018. The first challenge coincided with GO Safari Zone in Dortmund from June 30-July 1, 2018, in preparation for Articuno Raid Day on July 7, 2018. Due to weather issues, Articuno Raid Day in Japan was postponed to August 4, 2018. The second challenge coincided with GO Fest in Chicago from July 14-15, 2018, in preparation for Zapdos Raid Day on July 21, 2018. The third challenge coincided with GO Safari Zone in Yokosuka from September 1-2, 2018, in preparation for Moltres Raid Day on September 8, 2018. As all three challenges were successfully completed, all three legendary birds were available to players again from September 13–20, 2018, as part of the Ultra Bonus Event.
The times for these Raid Challenges were based on location:
- Asia-Pacific: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. JST (GMT +9)
- Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. UTC (GMT +0)
- The Americas and Greenland: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8)
Gengar Special Raid Challenge
Gengar Special Raid Challenge took place on November 3, 2018. Gengar was the first non-legendary Pokémon to be featured in a Special Raid Challenge.
The times for the Gengar Special Raid Challenges, like the legendary bird Raid Days, were based on location:
- Asia-Pacific: 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. JST (GMT +9)
- Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. UTC (GMT +0)
- The Americas and Greenland: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PST (GMT −8)
Lapras Raid Day
During the Extraordinary Raid Week 2019, Lapras Raid Day took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time on May 25, 2019 (for the Americas, Greenland, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India) and May 26, 2019 (for Asia-Pacific).
Legendary Beasts Raid Days
The legendary beasts were featured as part of Professor Willow's Global Challenge 2019, but without any event-exclusive moves. The first challenge coincided with GO Fest in Chicago from June 13-June 16, 2019, in preparation for Raikou Raid Day on June 29, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. The second challenge coincided with GO Fest in Dortmund from July 4-7, 2019, in preparation for Entei Raid Day on July 14, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. The third challenge coincided with GO Fest in Yokohama from August 6-12, 2019, in preparation for Suicune Raid Day on August 17, 2019, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time. As all three challenges were successfully completed, all three legendary beasts were available to players again from September 2-9, 2019, as part of the Ultra Bonus Event.
Kanto First Partner Pokémon Raid Day
During the Evolution Event, a Raid Day featuring all three stages of the Kanto first partner Pokémon took place on December 7, 2019, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
Lickitung Raid Day
A Raid Day featuring Lickitung with the event-exclusive move Body Slam was included as part of the Valentine's Day 2020 event. Any Lickilicky evolved from Lickitung during the event period also knew Body Slam. The Lickitung Raid Day took place on February 15, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time.
Party Hat Gengar and Party Hat Nidorino Raid Day
As part of the Pokémon Day 2020 celebration, a Raid Day featuring both Gengar and Nidorino wearing party hats took place on March 1, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Like with the previous Gengar Raid Day, any Gengar caught or evolved into during the event period knew the event-exclusive moves Lick and Psychic.
 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon | Boss CP | Catch CP |
| 7238 | 743 - 796 929 - 995 |
Alolan Marowak Raid Day
As part of the Halloween 2020 celebration, a Raid Day featuring Alolan Marowak took place on October 31, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Any Alolan Marowak caught during the event period knew the event-exclusive move Shadow Bone.
Legendary Birds Raid Day (2021)
As part of the Pokémon Day 2021 celebration, a Raid Day featuring legendary birds took place on February 28, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. Any Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres caught during the event period knew the event-exclusive moves Hurricane, Thunder Shock and Sky Attack respectively. During this event players could use Charged TMs on Shadow Pokémon to forget the move Frustration and the appearance of Team GO Rocket grunts at Pokéstops and in balloons was increased.
Mega Kangaskhan Raid Day
During the Mega Moment event, a Raid Day featuring Mega Kangaskhan took place on May 1, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
Hisuian Braviary Raid Day
During the Hisuian Discoveries event, a Raid Day featuring Hisuian Braviary took place on July 31, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. For this event, chance for receiving Rare Candy XL from in-person Raid Battles was increased and players would get 50% more XP for winning raids.
Deoxys Raid Day
During the Psychic Spectacular Event, Deoxys Raid Day took place on September 11, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. All forms of Deoxys were available.
Mega Gyarados Raid Day
During the Evolving Stars Event, Mega Gyarados Raid Day took place on October 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The event was scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. like other Raid Days, but an error in the first time zones caused the event to be extended, so it started three hours earlier than intended.[2]
Ultra Beasts Raid Day
During the Ultra Beast Arrival: Global, Ultra Beasts were featured in a Raid Day on November 27, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Only certain Ultra Beasts were available depending on the player’s region. Nihilego, Buzzwole, and Guzzlord were available in the Americas region; Nihilego, Xurkitree, and Guzzlord were available in the Asia-Pacific region; Nihilego, Pheromosa, and Guzzlord were available in the Europe region; Kartana was available in the Northern Hemisphere; and Celesteela was available in the Southern Hemisphere. Timed Research was offered during the event in which any of the featured Ultra Beasts could be encountered as research task rewards.
Mega Sceptile, Mega Blaziken, and Mega Swampert Raid Day
A Raid Day featuring Mega Sceptile, Mega Blaziken and Mega Swampert took place on December 3, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Any Sceptile, Blaziken and Swampert caught or evolved into during the event period knew the event-exclusive moves Frenzy Plant, Blast Burn and Hydro Cannon respectively.
Hisuian Avalugg Raid Day
During the Winter Holiday Part 2 event, a Raid Day featuring Hisuian Avalugg took place on December 24, 2022, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time.
Kleavor Raid Day
Kleavor Raid Day took place on May 6, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.
Mega Garchomp Raid Day
Mega Garchomp Raid Day took place on November 11, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Mega Garchomp.
Hisuian Samurott Raid Day
Hisuian Samurott Raid Day took place on December 3, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. local time. The event was scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. like other Raid Days, but Niantic extended the event due to server issues.[3] This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Hisuian Samurott.
Wyrdeer Raid Day
During the 2023 Winter Wonderland Event, Wyrdeer Raid Day took place on December 23, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Wyrdeer.
Hisuian Typhlosion Raid Day
Hisuian Typhlosion Raid Day took place on January 14, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Hisuian Typhlosion.
Hisuian Decidueye Raid Day
Hisuian Decidueye Raid Day took place on February 11, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Hisuian Decidueye.
Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon Raid Days
Primal Raid Days were held during the World of Wonders. Primal Kyogre Raid Day took place on March 17, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. local time. Primal Groudon Raid Day took place on March 23, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. Primal Kyogre Raid Day was scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. like other Raid Days, but Niantic extended the event due to server issues.[4]
Mega Heracross Raid Day
Mega Heracross Raid Day took place on April 13, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. This event marked the Pokémon GO debut of Mega Heracross.
In other languages
| Raid Day | Special Raid Challenge |
