Pokémon GO Mega Ascension is live from August 31 at 10:00 a.m. through September 4 at 11:59 p.m. local time. Mega Raid bosses rotate every day, and a free branching Timed Research asks you to choose Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie. That choice determines the partner path and Mega Energy rewards in the event GO Pass. The week then leads directly into Mega Finale on September 5–6, when Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y debut in Super Mega Raids.

Mega Ascension dates and rewards at a glance

  • Mega Ascension: August 31 at 10:00 a.m. to September 4 at 11:59 p.m. local time.
  • Mega Finale: September 5 and 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time each day.
  • Research choice: pick Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie; the selection determines your GO Pass path and partner rewards.
  • Free GO Pass: partner encounters, Link Charges, Candy, and enough Mega Energy to Mega Evolve the chosen partner once.
  • Deluxe GO Pass: extra partner rewards, Candy and Candy XL, XP, an avatar shirt, and enough Mega Energy to reach Super Max Level.
  • Remote Raid limit: 30 per day during Mega Ascension, then no remote limit during Mega Finale.
  • Special backgrounds: Pokémon caught after eligible Mega Raids may have event backgrounds.

Pokémon GO Mega Ascension daily Raid schedule

The featured Mega Raid lineup changes at the start of each local event day. Mega Latias and Mega Latios can also appear throughout Mega Ascension, so the following list is the daily featured rotation rather than a promise that every nearby Gym will show only those bosses.

  • August 31: Mega Victreebel, Mega Dragonite, and Mega Malamar.
  • September 1: Mega Falinks.
  • September 2: Mega Skarmory.
  • September 3: Mega Starmie.
  • September 4: Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y.

If Mega Starmie is your priority, the existing Mega Starmie counters and group-size guide explains practical team sizes and weaknesses. The boss returns on September 3, but event bonuses and lobby conditions can differ from its earlier Raid Day.

Which Mega Ascension research path should you choose?

There is no official universally best path. Choose the partner whose Mega Evolution you actually want to unlock first: Chespin leads toward Mega Chesnaught, Fennekin toward Mega Delphox, and Froakie toward Mega Greninja. The free pass supplies enough Mega Energy for one Mega Evolution of the selected partner, so the practical value is immediate access rather than a purely cosmetic preference.

The event page says the selection determines the GO Pass path and rewards, but it does not publish a path-reset or switch option. Make the choice only after checking which partner, Candy, and Mega Energy you want. Do not assume that completing one path grants the other two paths automatically.

Fennekin, Froakie, and Chespin run along a mountain path in Pokémon GO Fest 2026 artwork.
The free branching Timed Research asks Trainers to choose Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie before following the matching GO Pass path. Image: Pokémon GO.Credit: Pokémon GO

What the free and Deluxe GO Passes include

The free GO Pass is the essential event track. It includes encounters with the chosen partner, Link Charges, that Pokémon’s Candy, and enough Mega Energy to Mega Evolve it once. Progress is tied to the branch selected in Timed Research, which is why the partner decision matters before claiming and spending rewards.

The Deluxe track adds more partner encounters with increased Shiny chances, Candy, Candy XL, XP, an avatar T-shirt matching the chosen partner, and enough Mega Energy to reach Super Max Level. The official event page describes the reward difference but does not make the paid track necessary to unlock the basic one-time Mega Evolution.

Link Charges are the event resource used with the expanded Mega system and its Adventure Effects. The free GO Pass includes them, so claim the pass even if you plan to spend most of the week on only one Raid day. Saving charges for the Mega Finale can be more useful than activating an effect without a specific goal.

The update also introduces stronger Super Mega levels and new effects for Mega Mewtwo. Exact values and durations should be checked in the in-game confirmation screen before spending a charge, because the official website explains the effect but the live screen controls the actual activation.

Remote Raids, backgrounds, and suspended weekly events

The Remote Raid Pass limit rises to 30 per day from August 31 through September 4. The limit is removed for September 5 and 6 during Mega Finale. That is a daily participation ceiling, not a guarantee that a specific boss will be available in every time zone or lobby when you open the app.

Eligible Pokémon caught after Mega Raids may carry a special event background. Pokémon GO also says regularly scheduled events, including Raid Hours and Spotlight Hours, are suspended during Mega Ascension and Mega Finale. Use the event rotation above instead of relying on the normal weekly calendar for these dates.

When do Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y appear?

  • September 5: Mega Mewtwo X debuts in Super Mega Raids from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
  • September 6: Mega Mewtwo Y follows in Super Mega Raids from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.

Mega Mewtwo X can use Dynamic Punch+, whose Adventure Effect increases the damage your Pokémon deal in Mega and Super Mega Raids and breaks two Raid shields. Mega Mewtwo Y can use Future Sight+, whose Adventure Effect highlights nearby encounters that appraise at three stars or higher. Those bonuses are separate from simply catching or Mega Evolving Mewtwo.

Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y face each other across a glowing portal in Pokémon GO Fest 2026 artwork.
Mega Mewtwo X appears in Super Mega Raids on September 5, followed by Mega Mewtwo Y on September 6. Image: Pokémon GO.Credit: Pokémon GO

What to do first during Mega Ascension

  1. Open the branching Timed Research and compare all three partner paths before choosing.
  2. Activate the free GO Pass and collect its Link Charges, Candy, encounters, and Mega Energy.
  3. Raid the boss tied to the current local date; the featured lineup changes daily.
  4. Finish the time-limited work before September 4 at 11:59 p.m. local time rather than expecting a grace period.
  5. Plan passes and party time for Mega Mewtwo X on September 5 and Mega Mewtwo Y on September 6.

Mega Ascension FAQ

  • Can Mega Latias and Mega Latios appear every day? They may appear throughout Mega Ascension, alongside the featured daily rotation.
  • Does the free pass provide a Mega Evolution? Yes. It includes enough Mega Energy to Mega Evolve the selected partner once.
  • Do you need the Deluxe pass? No for the basic partner Mega Evolution. Deluxe adds more rewards and enough energy for Super Max Level.
  • Are Raid Hour and Spotlight Hour running normally? No. Pokémon GO says regularly scheduled events are suspended during Mega Ascension and Mega Finale.
  • Is Mega Mewtwo part of the August 31–September 4 rotation? No. Mega Mewtwo X and Y are the September 5–6 Mega Finale headliners.

The Pokémon GO events calendar keeps the broader monthly schedule together, while the Pokémon GO game page collects ongoing guides and event coverage.