Pokémon GO Water Festival 2026 Brings Arrokuda, Cramorant, and Bigger Catch Rewards
The August event adds two Galar Pokémon, escalating XP and Stardust bonuses, wild encounters, raids, and a paid GO Pass upgrade.
Pokémon GO will host Ultra Unlock: Water Festival 2026 from Tuesday, August 18, at 10:00 a.m. through Monday, August 24, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time. The event will introduce Arrokuda and Cramorant, add a limited-time GO Pass, and offer better catch rewards throughout the week.
The event will also include an Ultra Unlock bonus earned during Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global. Here is everything Trainers need to know before the water-themed event begins.
Water Festival 2026 bonuses
- Rainy Lure Modules will attract Arrokuda.
- Shiny Ducklett and Shiny Dewpider will have increased encounter odds.
- Catching Pokémon will award 2× XP.
- Catching Pokémon will award 3× Stardust.
Ultra Unlock bonus schedule
The catch bonuses will increase during two stages of the event:
- August 20 at 10:00 a.m. to August 22 at 10:00 a.m. local time: 3× XP and 4× Stardust for catching Pokémon.
- August 22 at 10:00 a.m. to August 24 at 8:00 p.m. local time: 4× XP and 5× Stardust for catching Pokémon.
Arrokuda and Cramorant debut
Arrokuda and its evolution Barraskewda will arrive through Field Research rewards, the GO Pass, and Rainy Lure Modules. Arrokuda will evolve into Barraskewda with 50 Arrokuda Candy.
Cramorant will appear in Eggs, the GO Pass, and GO Battle League reward encounters. It will be able to change form during battle, giving the new Pokémon a place in PvP as well as collection-focused play.
During Water Festival, Cramorant will appear on both GO Battle League reward tracks starting at Rank 16. Encounters will be more frequent on the premium track. Cramorant will not be eligible for the Competitors Cup.
Wild encounters
These Pokémon will appear more often in the wild:
- Psyduck
- Wimpod
- Goldeen
- Mareanie
- Feebas
- Clamperl
Wiglett will also appear more frequently in its usual beach biome.
Water Festival raids
Three-Star Raids
- Dondozo
- Hisuian Samurott
- Lapras
One-Star Raids
Tatsugiri will appear in regional forms:
- Curly Form: Europe, the Middle East, and Africa
- Droopy Form: The Americas
- Stretchy Form: Asia-Pacific
Field Research
Event-themed Field Research tasks will be available during Water Festival. Completing them will provide items and encounters with Pokémon connected to the event, including the new debuts.
GO Pass and GO Pass Deluxe
Every Trainer will automatically receive the free GO Pass: Water Festival when the event begins on August 18 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Collecting GO Points and completing Pass Tasks will raise the pass rank and unlock rewards through August 24 at 8:00 p.m. local time.
The free track will include encounters with event-themed Pokémon, a Rainy Lure Module, Rare Candy, Golden Razz Berries, and other items. Rewards unlocked through the pass must be claimed by Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. local time.
GO Pass milestone rewards
- Rank 10: 2× Candy for catching Pokémon.
- Rank 20: Half Egg Hatch Distance when Eggs are placed in an Incubator during the event.
GO Pass Deluxe pricing and rewards
The GO Pass Deluxe upgrade will cost US$4.99 and will provide upgraded rewards with faster progression. A second option will cost US$6.99 and include GO Pass Deluxe plus six ranks, automatically granting enough GO Points to reach Rank 7.
Upgrading at any point will still allow Trainers to claim rewards from ranks they already unlocked. The Deluxe track will add an event-themed avatar item, more event Pokémon encounters, Silver Pinap Berries, Rare Candy XL, an Incubator, and other rewards.
Web Store bonuses
Trainers who purchase GO Pass Deluxe: Water Festival or GO Pass Deluxe: Water Festival + 6 Ranks through the Pokémon GO Web Store will receive 10 Ultra Balls, five Max Revives, one Premium Battle Pass, and five Max Potions as a gift with purchase.
The web-exclusive GO Pass Deluxe: Water Festival + 6 Ranks Ultra Box will include 20 Ultra Balls, 10 Max Revives, 10 Max Potions, two Premium Battle Passes, one Incubator, and one Super Incubator as a gift with purchase.
Water Festival 2026 gives Trainers plenty to chase, from two new Pokémon and regional Tatsugiri forms to the late-event XP and Stardust bonuses. Tell us what you plan to hunt during the event in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, and Instagram.
Pokémon Go
Developed by Niantic Labs, The Pokémon Company
Travel between the real world and the virtual world of Pokémon with Pokémon Go for iPhone and Android devices! With Pokémon Go, you'll discover Pokémon in a whole new world, your own! Join Trainers across the globe who are discovering Pokémon as they explore the world around them.
- Genre: Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
- Platforms: Android, iOS
- Modes: Single player, Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO)
- Release: 2016-07-06
- Publisher: Niantic Labs
-
Age Rating:
ESRB E10+ / PEGI 3 / CLASS_IND L / USK 6
- IGDB Rating: 66.4/100
