The Week of July 20–26 Ends July With a Bang
The week of July 20–26, 2026 saves its biggest hits for the back half: Mega Mewtwo Y returns in the GO Fest Global Sunday raid makeup (now expanded to all Trainers), the Ozone Ascent Timed Research hands you a Meteorite to unlock Mega Rayquaza, and Shiny Solgaleo headlines five-star raids. Here is the day-by-day plan so you spend your passes and cooldowns in the right places.
Monday, July 20 — Trubbish Max Monday
- Max Monday: Dynamax Trubbish (Tier 1, soloable). Weak to Ground and Psychic; counters include Alakazam, Latios, Metagross, Espeon, Excadrill.
- Anniversary Pikachu Celebration ends at 8:00 p.m. local — claim any unclaimed research.
- Prep: Stock Max Particles for the weekend's bigger Max/raid pushes.
Tuesday, July 21 — Willow's Birthday & Ultra Unlock Kickoff
- Professor Willow's Birthday: costumed Assistant Pikachu in Field/Timed Research, Snapshot Surprises, and one-star raids. Free Timed Research gives Pikachu encounters, a Lucky Egg, and a Star Piece (claim by July 27).
- Ultra Unlock: 10th Anniversary Edition begins (runs to July 27) with 6× catch XP, climbing to 10× by July 25.
Wednesday, July 22 — Shiny Solgaleo & Raid Hour
- Solgaleo five-star raids begin (to July 28); first Shiny Solgaleo in Pokémon GO.
- Mega Salamence returns in Mega Raids.
- Raid Hour (6–7 p.m.): Solgaleo — use your six free passes.
- Best Solgaleo counters: Mega Garchomp, Shadow Groudon, Dawn Wings Necrozma (Ghost/Dark weak).
Thursday, July 23 — Eevee Spotlight Hour
- Spotlight Hour (6–7 p.m.): Eevee with 2× Catch Candy. Build every Eeveelution or hunt a Shiny.
- Ultra Unlock XP steps up to 8× catch XP.
Friday, July 24 — Quiet Grind
- Mass-catch during the 8× XP window with a Lucky Egg.
- Summer Marathon: Arctic Embers is still live (to July 26) — Shiny Snom debuts; catch Ice/Fire types.
Saturday, July 25 — Ozone Ascent & GO Fest Makeup
- Ozone Ascent (10 a.m.–8 p.m.): Free Timed Research gives a Meteorite and Rayquaza encounter; paid ($4.99) adds Mega Energy and a second Meteorite. Use the Meteorite to teach Rayquaza Dragon Ascent.
- GO Fest 2026 Raid Makeup (10 a.m.–7 p.m.): Mega Mewtwo Y Super Mega Raids + full Sunday legendary rotation. Unlimited Remote Raids for everyone (from Jul 25 1 p.m. PDT).
- Remote Raid cap lifted to 20 for eligible regions.
Sunday, July 26 — Makeup Finale
- Last chance for Mega Mewtwo Y and the Special Background legendaries in the makeup.
- Arctic Embers ends at 8 p.m. — grab final Shiny Snom.
- Ultra Unlock XP peaks at 10× (to July 27) — your biggest catch-XP session of the season.
Weekly Resource Checklist
- Six free Raid Passes banked for Solgaleo Raid Hour.
- Lucky Eggs for the 8×→10× XP windows.
- Remote Raid Passes for Mega Mewtwo Y (cap 20).
- A Rayquaza ready to receive Dragon Ascent from the Meteorite.
- Max Particles topped for any Max Battles.
Final Thought
This week stacks a legendary raid makeup, a Meteorite unlock, and the season's best XP window into five days. Plan your passes, respect your cooldowns if you spoof, and finish July strong. Happy hunting, trainers!