Australian Trainers, prepare your storage and dust off your walking shoes. Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global is touching down in Melbourne with the city’s largest-ever in-person community activation. From Saturday, July 11 to Sunday, July 12, Queensbridge Square in Southbank will transform into a massive hub for Trainers to connect, trade, raid, and explore together.

The local celebration runs daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM AEST, while the global in-game event runs from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM AEST. Best of all? The physical Melbourne gathering is completely free to attend, and for the first time in history, the global event is entirely free for all logged-in players worldwide.

The Massive Melbourne Activation

The Queensbridge Square event is designed to bring the local community together in a highly immersive environment. Attendees can look forward to a weekend packed with real-world activities alongside their in-game grinding.

What to expect on-site:

• Immersive Photo Ops: Snap photos with life-sized Pokémon backdrops and installations.
• Free Gear: Pick up a complimentary, exclusive Pikachu visor to wear during the event.
• Community Meet-ups: Dedicated spaces to coordinate high-level Raids, secure lucky trades, and meet fellow players from across Victoria.

The Legendary Debuts: Mega Mewtwo & Zeraora

This year’s event features some of the most anticipated powerhouses in Pokémon history. For the first time ever, Mega Mewtwo X and Mega Mewtwo Y will make their Pokémon GO debuts in exclusive Super Mega Raid Battles. You will want to team up with the crowds at Southbank to take down these legendary bosses.

Additionally, players can unlock a brand-new Special Research story line. Completing these tasks will reward Trainers with an encounter with the Mythical Thunderclap Pokémon, Zeraora, marking its official first appearance in the game.

Rotating Hourly Habitats

To help players secure their elusive platinum type medals, the wild spawns for GO Fest 2026 will feature the most diverse lineup of species ever seen in the game.

Each hour, the map will cycle through unique elemental habitats. Over the course of the weekend, all 18 Pokémon types will take turns spotlighting different species. Keep an eye out for special event-themed Pikachus rocking hats representing Team Instinct, Team Mystic, and Team Valor—and if fortune favors you, you might just find a Shiny one.

Exclusive Event Bonuses

Whether you are playing on the ground in Melbourne or from your local neighborhood, logging in during the event weekend unlocks a massive suite of gameplay perks:

• Shiny Boosts: Heavily increased chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon in the wild.
• Free Raid Passes: Spin Gym Photo Discs to receive up to nine free Raid Passes per day.
• Resource Boosts: Enjoy expanded Gift limits and special bonus trading features throughout the weekend.
• Research Rewards: Access to both event-exclusive Special Research and fast-paced Timed Research.

No registration or tickets are required to join the Melbourne community hub at Queensbridge Square. Grab your battery packs, call your local raid group, and get ready for the biggest Pokémon weekend of the year.

For more information about Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global, go to https://pokemongo.com/gofest/global.