Pokemon GO Raid Schedule September 2026 | 5-Star, Mega & Shadow Bosses

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Teleport in Pokemon GO to join remote raids in Pokemon GO and double your chances of catching Shiny Pokemon.

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The Pokemon GO raid schedule is the fastest way to know which bosses are worth your Raid Passes right now. As of September 17, 2026, Hero Zamazenta is the active 5-Star boss, Mega Venusaur is the active Mega Raid boss, and weekend 5-Star Shadow Raids feature Shadow Thundurus (Incarnate Forme).

Pokemon GO 5-Star Raid Schedule

The Pokemon GO 5-Star Raid Schedule for September 2026 is now in the Hero Zamazenta window through September 22. Regional Ultra Beasts arrive next, followed by Xerneas at the end of the month. If you are planning Raid Passes or hunting Shinies, this is the part of the calendar worth watching closely.

Check your local raid time before joining, especially around weekly rollover dates. Right now, Hero Zamazenta is the active global 5-Star boss. From September 23, Xurkitree appears in Asia-Pacific, Buzzwole in the Americas and Greenland, and Pheromosa in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India.

Key Notes on the Pokemon GO 5-Star Raid Schedule:

In Pokemon GO, each 5-Star Legendary Raid Boss usually stays in rotation for about 7-14 days, and shiny versions can be encountered during that period. These Pokemon are exclusive to raids, meaning they will not hatch from eggs or appear in the wild. To join more global lobbies and maximize your raid opportunities, use location changer LocaChange to safely change your GPS location.

Weekly Pokemon GO Raid Hour Schedule

One of the best ways to make the most of the September 2026 5-Star rotation is by joining the weekly Raid Hour. Every Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM local time, Pokemon GO increases the number of active 5-Star Raids at most gyms, giving you a better chance to battle the featured Legendary boss.

The remaining September Raid Hours feature the regional Ultra Beasts on September 23 and Xerneas on September 30. Regional availability matters on September 23, so check which boss appears in your area before using a Raid Pass.

Tips for Raid Hour Success:

Always stock at least 2-3 Premium or Remote Raid Passes before Raid Hour begins.

Use the in-game "Nearby" feature to locate active raids and jump between gyms fast.

Tools like LocaChange allow you to participate in Raid Hour events in other time zones, maximizing your chances to catch a perfect IV or shiny Pokemon.

Join local or international Discord groups and Pokemon GO communities for live raid invites and coordinated lobbies.

Pokemon GO Mega Raid Schedule

The Pokemon GO Mega Raid Schedule for September 2026 currently features Mega Venusaur through September 22, followed by Mega Malamar and Mega Victreebel. You can use this rotation to plan Mega Energy farming instead of chasing outdated raid info.

Date	Mega Raid Boss	Shiny Available
September 8 - September 15	Mega Beedrill
September 11 - September 16	Mega Houndoom
September 16 - September 22	Mega Venusaur
September 23 - September 29	Mega Malamar
September 30 - October 6	Mega Victreebel

Special Raid Event: Mega Staraptor debuts in Super Mega Raids on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM local time. Trainers can receive up to six free Raid Passes from Gym Photo Discs, and the event has an increased chance of Shiny Staraptor.

Following the Pokemon GO Mega Raid Schedule is important because Mega-evolved Pokemon are among the best options for PvE, helping you finish 5-Star Raids much faster. By completing Mega Raids, you collect Mega Energy and can unlock Mega Evolution for your own Pokemon permanently after cooldowns. Many Mega Raid bosses also have shiny forms, making these raids a great chance to catch powerful and rare Pokemon.

Pokemon GO Shadow Raid Schedule

The Pokemon GO Shadow Raid Schedule typically rotates during Team GO Rocket Takeover events, which usually last a weekend or up to a full week. Shadow Raids are unique because they feature Shadow Pokemon bosses that become "enraged," and Trainers must use Purified Gems to weaken them before attempting a catch.

Shadow Raids in September: Shadow Thundurus on weekends

For the current September rotation, Shadow Thundurus (Incarnate Forme) appears in 5-Star Shadow Raids on weekends from September 9 to October 6, 2026. These are still some of the toughest raid battles in the game, requiring multiple Trainers and the use of Purified Gems to calm the boss from its enraged state.

What is the Pokemon GO Raid Schedule?

The Pokemon GO raid schedule is a rotating calendar that determines which Pokemon will appear in various raid tiers throughout the month. There are three main types of raids in the schedule:

Raid Type	Features
5-Star Raids	These raids feature Legendary Pokemon. They usually rotate weekly or bi-weekly and often support Shiny encounters.
Mega Raids	These battles allow Trainers to fight Mega-evolved Pokemon and collect Mega Energy for evolution.
Shadow Raids	Introduced with Team GO Rocket Takeover events, these feature enraged Shadow Bosses, and require Purified Gems to defeat.

Understanding the Pokemon GO raid schedule allows Trainers to plan their teams, save Raid Passes, and target specific Pokemon for battles or Shiny hunts.

How to Join Raids Remotely?

The easiest way to join remote raids in Pokemon GO - whether it's a 5-Star, Mega, or Shadow Raid - is by using Pokemon GO Spoofer, a powerful tool designed specifically for trainers who want to explore global raids without leaving home.

Key Features of LocaChange

• Change your GPS location to the global raid spot without physically moving.
• Join Raid Hours in different regions and increase shiny odds.
• 100% safe to use, no root or jailbreak required.
• Compatible with iOS/Android, supporting up to 10 devices.
• More Advanced features like Raid Finder, Pokemon GO Map, IV Checker.

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How to Join Remote Raids with LocaChange:

Step 1 Download and install LocaChange on your iPhone/Android.

Step 2 Find ongoing raids on raid tracking websites, Discord, or Reddit. Copy the GPS coordinates of your desired raid.

Step 3 Open LocaChange and enter the raid's coordinates. Click Move to change your in-game location instantly.

LocaChange's New Feature: Virtual GO Plus

Bonus: Best Tools to Track the Raid Schedule

Staying updated with the Pokemon GO raid schedule ensures you never miss your favorite boss or Shiny opportunity. Here are the best third-party tools and apps to track live raid data, global invites, and raid timers.

Tool / Website	Best For	Features
PokeRaid	Global Raid Invites	Join or host raids with trainers worldwide
GO Raid Party	Remote Raid Lobbies	Fast, automated match-ups
LocaChange	GPS Spoofing + Tracking	Find raids by spoofing to active zones
LeekDuck Raid Boss List	Current Raid Lineups	Shows 1-Star to Mega Bosses and Shadows

Tip

Combine these tools with in-game features like the "Nearby" radar and Raid Notifications to plan your raid days efficiently.

FAQs About the Pokemon GO Raid Schedule

1. How often does the Pokemon GO raid schedule change?

The Pokemon GO raid schedule changes weekly or bi-weekly for most 5-Star and Mega raids. Shadow raids rotate during special Team GO Rocket events, which usually last a few days.

2. What are the differences between 5-Star, Mega, and Shadow Raids?

• 5-Star raids feature Legendary Pokemon and require stronger teams.
• Mega raids offer Mega-evolved Pokemon and Mega Energy.
• Shadow raids appear during Rocket events and feature enraged Shadow Pokemon.

3. When is the best time to raid?

Wednesday's Raid Hour (6:00 PM 鈥?7:00 PM local time) is ideal for farming 5-Star raid bosses. Weekends and event days are also great for finding active gyms.

4. Can I join Shadow Raids remotely?

No. Shadow Raids require in-person battles. You must be physically near the gym or use GPS tools like LocaChange to spoof safely and join the raids.

5. How can I join more raids each day?

You can earn one free Raid Pass daily by spinning a gym. To join more, use Premium Battle Passes or Remote Raid Passes. LocaChange lets you find active gyms in different cities and raid continuously.

6. How do I know which Pokemon will appear next in raids?

Follow the official Pokemon GO blog for monthly raid updates, or bookmark our guide for the latest Pokemon GO raid schedule, updated regularly.

Conclusion

Pokemon GO raid schedule is packed with exciting opportunities for Trainers. Whether you're shiny hunting, building your PvP roster, or raiding for fun, planning around the rotation helps you get the most out of every Raid Pass.

Don't forget to bookmark this page - we update the raid schedule monthly with the latest lineup of bosses and event-based changes.

Want to join global raids or catch region-exclusive bosses? Try location changer LocaChange to safely spoof your GPS and never miss a raid again!

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Philip Williams

• Pokémon GO
• GPS Spoofing
• AR Gaming

• AR gaming and GPS spoofing specialist with over a decade of software experience. He is a trusted writer on Pokémon GO tips and safe location-changing strategies, helping over 2 million users worldwide. As an Apple enthusiast and expert in location-changing technology, he brings both technical depth and gaming insight to every guide.

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