Pokémon GO’s Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers event is live from Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 a.m. until Monday, August 10, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time. The main reasons to play are the debut of Shiny Snom, alternating Fire- and Ice-type spawns, a free GO Pass, reduced Egg Hatch Distance, and free Timed Research with a marathon visor Pikachu encounter.
The most important detail is that the event and GO Pass progression end on August 10, but unlocked GO Pass rewards can be claimed until Wednesday, August 12 at 8:00 p.m. local time. Do not confuse those two deadlines.
Arctic Embers Event at a Glance
- Event dates: August 4 at 10:00 a.m. to August 10 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
- New Shiny: Shiny Snom makes its Pokémon GO debut.
- How to get Snom: GO Pass tasks and 5 km Eggs.
- Boosted Shinies: Ponyta, Slugma, Snover, and Vanillite have an increased Shiny chance.
- Free research: 16,800 XP and an encounter with Pikachu wearing a marathon visor.
- Free GO Pass: Added automatically when the event begins.
- GO Pass Deluxe: US$4.99, with upgraded rewards and faster progression.
- Deluxe + 6 Ranks: US$6.99 and enough GO Points to reach Rank 7.
- Final reward deadline: August 12 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
How to Get Shiny Snom
Shiny Snom is available for the first time during Arctic Embers. The official announcement confirms two ways to encounter Snom:
- Complete GO Pass tasks that reward a Snom encounter.
- Hatch Snom from 5 km Eggs collected for the event.
The official announcement does not provide exact Shiny odds, so avoid assuming that every Snom encounter has a heavily boosted rate. If Shiny Snom is your main goal, work on the free GO Pass first and keep Egg space open for 5 km Eggs.
Frosmoth is Snom’s evolution, so keep enough Snom Candy for the evolution after finding the one you want to keep. Check the current evolution requirement in the game before spending Candy, especially if you are also building or powering up a Frosmoth.
Wild Spawn Schedule by Day
Arctic Embers uses two alternating groups for four of its featured Pokémon. The final day, August 10, includes both groups.
Ponyta and Snover Days
Ponyta and Snover appear on:
- August 4
- August 6
- August 8
- August 10
Slugma and Vanillite Days
Slugma and Vanillite appear on:
- August 5
- August 7
- August 9
- August 10
All four have an increased chance to be Shiny during the event. If you only need one of them, plan your longer play session for the correct day instead of checking the same route every day.
The wider wild pool also includes Vulpix, Alolan Vulpix, Growlithe, Swinub, Snorunt, and other Fire- or Ice-themed Pokémon. These do not follow the four-Pokémon alternating schedule listed above.
All Pokémon in 5 km Eggs
The Arctic Embers 5 km Egg pool includes:
- Sneasel
- Darumaka
- Galarian Darumaka
- Sizzlipede
- Snom
Every listed Pokémon can be Shiny if you are lucky. Snom is the event priority because its Shiny is new, but the smaller themed pool also gives players a reason to hatch for both Darumaka forms and Sizzlipede.
Only Eggs placed in an Incubator while the event’s Hatch Distance bonus is active receive the reduction. An Egg that was already incubating before you unlocked the bonus will not be shortened retroactively.
How the Free GO Pass Works
Every Trainer automatically receives GO Pass: Summer Marathon when Arctic Embers begins. The basic track is free. Complete Pass Tasks, collect GO Points, increase your rank, and claim rewards as they unlock.
Confirmed free-track rewards include:
- Encounters with event-themed Pokémon
- Stardust
- XP
- Rare Candy
- Ultra Balls
- Additional items
The GO Pass is also where the event’s two major bonuses unlock. Reaching them early makes the rest of the week more useful.
Rank 10 Bonus
At Rank 10, free-pass players unlock 2× XP for spinning a PokéStop. GO Pass Deluxe players receive 3× XP instead.
If you plan to grind XP, reach Rank 10 before doing a long PokéStop route. Unlocking the multiplier late wastes the easiest part of the bonus.
Rank 20 Bonus
At Rank 20, free-pass players unlock half Egg Hatch Distance for Eggs placed in an Incubator during the event. Deluxe players receive quarter Egg Hatch Distance.
Save Incubators and fresh 5 km Eggs until this bonus is active when possible. The reduced distance applies when the Egg is placed in an Incubator, not when it was originally collected.
GO Pass Deluxe Prices and Differences
The regular GO Pass Deluxe costs US$4.99, or the equivalent local price. It adds upgraded rewards and faster progression while keeping access to everything on the free track.
The US$6.99 Deluxe + 6 Ranks option includes enough GO Points to reach Rank 7 immediately. It does not jump directly to the Rank 10 XP bonus, so you will still need to earn more points before that milestone activates.
Deluxe rewards include:
- More event-themed encounters
- Incense
- Silver Pinap Berries
- Rare Candy XL
- Candy XL
- Additional items
You can upgrade later and claim paid rewards from ranks already completed. That means there is no need to buy Deluxe on the first morning just to protect earlier progress.
Is the Arctic Embers GO Pass Deluxe Worth It?
The free GO Pass is enough for players mainly interested in Shiny checks, the Timed Research, or casual event play. It includes the progression system, event encounters, Rare Candy, Ultra Balls, the Rank 10 XP bonus, and the Rank 20 Hatch Distance bonus.
Deluxe makes more sense for three types of players:
- Heavy Egg hatchers: Quarter Hatch Distance is much stronger than the free half-distance bonus.
- XP grinders: The PokéStop multiplier rises from 2× to 3× after Rank 10.
- XL Candy collectors: Rare Candy XL and Candy XL are part of the paid reward pool.
Skip Deluxe if you will not reach the major milestones, have few Incubators, or only want to complete the free research. Because upgrades are retroactive, you can wait until your progress and available playtime make the decision clearer.
Free Timed Research Rewards
Arctic Embers includes free Timed Research with two confirmed headline rewards:
- 16,800 XP
- An encounter with Pikachu wearing a marathon visor
The tasks and every reward must be completed and claimed before August 10 at 8:00 p.m. local time. This research does not share the August 12 GO Pass reward deadline.
The complete task list was not included in the official announcement. Check the in-game Today View for the current steps instead of relying on an unconfirmed list.
Field Research Encounters
Event Field Research tasks can reward encounters with Ponyta, Slugma, Snover, Vanillite, and other themed Pokémon. The exact task attached to each encounter may rotate or be confirmed after the event begins.
Look at the reward icon before deleting event tasks. Field Research offers another way to target the four boosted Shiny Pokémon without waiting for the correct wild-spawn day.
Free No. 10 Jersey
A No. 10 Jersey is available for free in the in-game shop during Arctic Embers. Claim it while checking the event tab so it is not forgotten behind the GO Pass and research screens.
Best Arctic Embers Plan
Day 1: Unlock the Pass and Build Progress
Open the event tab, confirm that the free GO Pass appeared, complete the first Pass Tasks, and claim the free jersey. Keep Egg space open instead of filling every slot before the event’s 5 km Eggs are available.
Reach Rank 10 Before an XP Route
Do not spend a long session spinning PokéStops before the XP bonus activates. Reaching Rank 10 first turns the same route into 2× XP on the free track or 3× with Deluxe.
Reach Rank 20 Before Using Extra Incubators
Wait for the Hatch Distance milestone before loading several Incubators. Use the free track’s half-distance bonus or Deluxe quarter-distance bonus on the event Eggs that matter most.
Play on the Correct Spawn Days
Use August 4, 6, or 8 for Ponyta and Snover. Use August 5, 7, or 9 for Slugma and Vanillite. August 10 includes both groups, but leaving every target until the final day adds unnecessary pressure.
Finish Timed Research Before the Final Evening
The Pikachu encounter and 16,800 XP disappear with the Timed Research at 8:00 p.m. local time on August 10. Complete it earlier, then use August 12 only as the deadline for GO Pass rewards that were already unlocked.
Important Deadlines
- August 10 at 8:00 p.m. local time: Arctic Embers ends.
- August 10 at 8:00 p.m. local time: GO Point earning ends.
- August 10 at 8:00 p.m. local time: Timed Research tasks and rewards expire.
- August 12 at 8:00 p.m. local time: Unclaimed rewards already unlocked on the GO Pass expire.
For the rest of the month’s raids, Spotlight Hours, and special events, use our Pokémon GO August 2026 event calendar. New players can also review our Pokémon GO beginner guide. If you are visiting participating stores, the separate Pokémon GO LEGO event guide explains its Timed Research and Stamp Rally.
FAQ
When does Arctic Embers end?
The event ends on Monday, August 10, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
Is the Arctic Embers GO Pass free?
Yes. The standard GO Pass is added automatically and costs nothing. Deluxe costs US$4.99, while Deluxe + 6 Ranks costs US$6.99.
Can Shiny Snom appear in the wild?
The official announcement confirms Snom through GO Pass tasks and 5 km Eggs. It does not list Snom in the normal wild encounter pool.
What happens if I buy Deluxe later?
You can claim Deluxe rewards from ranks you already completed. Buying later does not erase your free-track progress.
When should I incubate 5 km Eggs?
Wait until the Rank 20 Hatch Distance bonus is active when possible. The reduction applies to Eggs placed in Incubators during the bonus period.
What is the last day to claim GO Pass rewards?
Unlocked GO Pass rewards expire on Wednesday, August 12 at 8:00 p.m. local time. You cannot keep earning GO Points after August 10.
Final Advice
Start the free GO Pass, reach Rank 10 before grinding PokéStops, and save extra Incubators for the Rank 20 Hatch Distance bonus. Use the alternating-day schedule to target the Shiny you want, but keep Snom at the top of the list because this is its first Shiny appearance in Pokémon GO.
Most players can wait before buying Deluxe. Test how quickly you are progressing, count the Incubators you are willing to use, and upgrade only if the extra XP, quarter Hatch Distance, and XL rewards match the way you plan to play.
