Pokémon Go Raid Schedule: May 2026 Raids and Mewtwo
Keeping up with Pokémon Go’s rotating raid bosses can feel like a game of whack-a-mole — just when you’ve built the perfect counter for one legendary, it disappears. This guide combines the current May 2026 raid schedule from Eurogamer (gaming news) and live boss data from Pokémon GO Hub (community database) to give you a clear view of what’s in raids now, when Raid Hour hits, and how to prepare for the possibility of Mega Mewtwo later this year.
Raid tiers available: 1★, 3★, 5★, Mega, Shadow ·
Raid schedule updates: Monthly ·
Raid Hour schedule: Every Wednesday, 6–7 PM local time ·
Current raid bosses (May 2026): Varies weekly; see schedule
Quick snapshot
- Mega Mewtwo arrival date — not officially confirmed by Niantic
- Daily 250-point raid point limit for Mewtwo unlock (fan speculation)
- Full list of 2026 new Pokémon releases beyond Go Fest hints
- May 2026: Nihilego, Buzzwole, then Tapu Bulu (May 20) (PoGO Calendar)
- Weekly Raid Hour on Wednesdays (PoGO Calendar)
- Go Fest Tokyo in August 2026 (PoGO Calendar)
- Mega Mewtwo expected mid-2026 (leaks, not confirmed)
- Generation 7 debuts possible in upcoming seasons
- Region-specific Ultra Beasts may require remote passes (Eurogamer)
Four key numbers, one pattern: the raid system runs on a predictable weekly-monthly rhythm but leaves big surprises unannounced.
| Category | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Current 5★ raids (early May) | Nihilego (May 6–12) | Eurogamer |
| Current 3★ raids | Skarmory, Bisharp, Dragalge, Turtonator | Pokémon GO Hub |
| Current 1★ raids | Unown U, Gible, Klink, Deino, Honedge | Pokémon GO Hub |
| Shadow 5★ raid boss | Shadow Registeel (current) | Pokémon GO Hub |
| Raid Hour day/time | Wednesday 6–7 PM local | Dexerto |
| Mega Mewtwo confirmed? | No official confirmation | Community speculation |
| Daily raid point limit (leaked) | 250 points per day | Fan reports |
| May 20 raid boss (predicted) | Tapu Bulu (5★), Mega Altaria | PoGO Calendar |
The implication: while the schedule is visible month-to-month, the most anticipated content (Mewtwo, new generations) remains in the rumor column.
Is there a raid schedule for Pokémon Go?
How often does the raid schedule update?
- Raid rotations typically happen every month, often tied to in-game events. For May 2026, Eurogamer (gaming news) lists a weekly shake-up of 5-star bosses: Nihilego, Buzzwole, and later Tapu Bulu.
- Mega raids also rotate within the month — Mega Altaria appears on May 20 per PoGO Calendar (fan schedule).
- Shadow Cresselia appears every weekend in May (Eurogamer).
Where to find official raid schedule updates
- Niantic does not publish a single official calendar. Instead, players rely on editorial sources like Eurogamer and live data trackers such as Pokémon GO Hub.
- Dexerto (esports & gaming) maintains a regularly updated raid boss list with Raid Hour details.
Why this matters: without an official source, the best strategy is to bookmark a reliable tracker and check it weekly.
Which raids are in Pokémon Go right now?
Current Legendary Raid boss
As of early May 2026, the 5-star raid boss is Nihilego, an Ultra Beast from the Alola region. According to Pokémon GO Hub’s live raid page, this rotation runs from May 6 to May 12. Buzzwole takes over May 13–19, and Tapu Bulu is expected on May 20 (PoGO Calendar).
Current Mega Raid boss
Mega Raids in May are region-specific for Ultra Beasts, but a dedicated Mega raid boss like Mega Altaria appears on May 20 (PoGO Calendar). Eurogamer confirms that May 2026 includes regular Mega Raid content.
What is the next Raid Hour?
Raid Hour happens every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time (Dexerto). During this hour, the current 5-star raid boss appears at a higher frequency. Raid Hour is sometimes replaced by special events, but the standard weekly cadence holds.
The pattern: players lose access to specific Ultra Beasts quickly, so remote passes become essential for completing a full set.
Can I solo a 3 ★ raid?
Which 3★ raids are soloable?
Most 3-star raids are soloable with optimal counters at level 35+. Current 3-star bosses include Skarmory, Bisharp, Dragalge, and Turtonator (Pokémon GO Hub). Skarmory is weak to Fire and Electric; Bisharp to Fighting, Ground, and Fire; Dragalge to Ice, Psychic, and Dragon; Turtonator to Ground, Rock, and Dragon. With weather boost and level 35+ Pokémon, each can be beaten alone.
Exceptions: Some 3-star bosses like Shuckle require specific strategy due to extreme defenses.
Recommended counters and level requirements
- Skarmory: use Rampardos (Smack Down / Rock Slide) or Terrakion (Smack Down / Rock Slide) — beatable in under 60 seconds at level 35.
- Bisharp: Lucario or Conkeldurr with Fighting moves — solo at level 30+.
- Dragalge: Mega Rayquaza with Dragon Ascent or Mamoswine with Powder Snow / Avalanche.
- Turtonator: Primal Groudon (Mud Shot / Precipice Blades) or Kyogre (Waterfall / Surf).
A general rule: if your Pokémon are under level 30, consider teaming up with one other player.
For soloing 3-star raids, focus on super-effective counters with at least 2400 CP. Check Pokémon GO Hub for the exact current boss and then tap Pokébattler for a sim.
The catch: even with optimal counters, weather and moveset RNG can make the difference between a clear and a timeout.
How to get Mewtwo in Pokémon Go 2026?
Is Mega Mewtwo coming in 2026?
No official confirmation from Niantic. According to fan leaks and speculation, Mega Mewtwo could arrive via a “Super Mega Raid” event in mid-2026. The Eurogamer schedule does not list Mewtwo for May 2026, leaving later months open.
Steps to prepare for a potential Mewtwo event:
- Build a strong Dark- and Ghost-type roster. Mewtwo (psychic) is weak to Dark and Ghost. Max out a Tyranitar, Darkrai, or Giratina-O.
- Save remote raid passes. The daily 250-point limit for raid progress (leaked) may restrict how many catches you can earn per day. Stock at least 10 passes.
- Join a local raid group or use Poke Genie. Mewtwo raids usually require 5+ players. Remote invites via Poke Genie work if no local group is available (Eurogamer).
- Watch for official announcements. Follow pokemongolive.com and in-game news for the exact date.
Can you only earn 250 points a day in Pokémon Go?
According to fan speculation from recent event data, a daily raid point limit of 250 is in place for the Mewtwo unlock mechanism. That means you can only contribute that many points toward the research progress each day. The exact cap has not been officially confirmed by Niantic.
What this means: players who stock remote passes now will have a head start if Mega Mewtwo drops without warning.
What Pokémon are coming out in 2026?
New Pokémon from upcoming seasons
2026 may introduce Generation 7 Pokémon (Alola region) more broadly, as well as regional variants. Pokémon GO Hub’s May 2026 events page mentions Dynamax Registeel, Pheromosa, Buzzwole, and Xurkitree (Pokémon GO Hub). These are mostly Ultra Beasts, not brand-new species.
Event-exclusive debuts (e.g., Pokémon Go Fest 2026 Tokyo)
Pokémon Go Fest 2026 Tokyo (August) will feature exclusive Pokémon based on the official event gameplay page. New releases often tie into raid rotations — expect a special Mega Raid or a rare spawn that eventually enters the regular pool. The full 2026 release list is unconfirmed, but Generation 7 starters and legendaries are strong candidates.
The pattern: Niantic often uses Go Fest to debut a new Pokémon, then expands it globally later. For Tokyo, keep an eye on regionals like Comfey or Bruxish.
If you want to be ahead of the curve, start saving candy for Alolan starters and stock up on raid passes for the Go Fest raid day.
Timeline
- – Mega Banette, Mega Camerupt, Mega Glalie raids (per Eurogamer)
- – Nihilego (5★)
- – Buzzwole (5★, region-specific)
- – Tapu Bulu (5★), Mega Altaria
- Weekly Wednesday – Raid Hour 6–7 PM local
- – Pokémon Go Fest Tokyo
- Mid-2026 (speculated) – Potential Mega Mewtwo event (unconfirmed)
Confirmed facts
- May 2026 raid schedule published by Eurogamer with weekly 5-star bosses
- Raid Hour every Wednesday 6–7 PM (Dexerto)
- Current 3-star raid bosses include Skarmory, Bisharp, Dragalge, Turtonator (Pokémon GO Hub)
- Shadow Registeel active in 5-star Shadow Raids (Pokémon GO Hub)
- Pokémon Go Fest 2026 Tokyo scheduled (official event page)
What’s unclear
- Mega Mewtwo arrival date — not officially confirmed
- Daily 250-point limit for raid points — fan speculation only
- Full 2026 Pokémon release list — only partial data from events
- Whether region-specific Ultra Beasts will be widely available
Expert perspectives
The 5-star raid boss from May 6 to May 12 is Nihilego. Shadow Cresselia will appear in 5-star Shadow Raids every weekend in May.
Eurogamer – May 2026 raid schedule
Current 3-star raid bosses include Skarmory, Bisharp, Dragalge, and Turtonator. One-star raids include Unown U, Gible, Klink, Deino, and Honedge.
Pokémon GO Hub – current raids page
Raid Hour takes place from 6:00 PM local time to 7:00 PM local time every Wednesday.
Dexerto – raid boss guide
The takeaway: while the schedule is mostly predictable, the biggest question mark — Mega Mewtwo — remains in the “unconfirmed” column. For players in 2026, the smart play is to follow the weekly rotation, prepare solo counters for common 3-star raids, and treat Mewtwo speculation as a motivation to stock passes and resources rather than a guaranteed event.
Related reading: Monopoly GO Partner Event Guide: Strategy, Schedule & Prizes
If you’re looking ahead, the March 2026 raid schedule offers a detailed look at last month’s raid rotation, including the debut of Dynamax Pikachu.
Frequently asked questions
What level should I be to solo a 3★ raid?
Level 35 or above with optimal counters is generally enough. Some easier 3-star bosses like Skarmory can be soloed at level 30 if you have strong Rock-type attackers.
How many times per day can I raid?
With the daily raid point limit of 250 (speculative), you might be capped after a few raids. There is no hard limit on the number of raids you can do per day, but remote pass usage is capped at 5 per day.
Do raid bosses change at the same time every month?
Usually raid rotations happen at 1:00 PM PST on specific dates, often tied to events. The schedule isn’t rigidly monthly — check reliable trackers like Pokémon GO Hub for exact timings.
Can I invite friends to a remote raid?
Yes. If you are at the gym, you can invite friends from your friend list. Remote players can join using a remote raid pass. Apps like Poke Genie facilitate this cross-region.
What is the difference between a Mega raid and a 5★ raid?
Mega Raids award Mega Energy for evolving or powering up a Mega Evolution. 5-star raids feature Legendary or Ultra Beast Pokémon and give standard raid rewards. Both require a raid pass.
How do I earn raid points for Mewtwo?
During the hypothetical Mewtwo Event, you may earn ‘raid points’ by completing raid battles, with a reported daily cap of 250 points. The exact mechanic is still unconfirmed by Niantic.
Are Shadow raids harder than normal raids?
Yes, Shadow Pokémon attack faster and are more aggressive. Shadow raids require more defenders and better counters. Shadow versions also have higher CP and deal 20% more damage.
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