•Kristina Horvat• 8 min read
Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO Raid Hour Today: Current Bosses and Schedule
Raid Hour is one of Pokémon GO's longest-running weekly features, dating back to March 2019 when Niantic first tested it under the name Legendary Lunch Hour. The original midday schedule was quickly moved to the evening, but the main concept remained: five-star Raid Bosses appear at many more Gyms for one hour, making them easier to find and battle.
Raid Hour normally takes place every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. The next Raid Hour features Groudon on Wednesday, August 12, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Special events can occasionally add extra Raid Hours or modify the usual schedule, so players should always check the current calendar before preparing a raid group.
In this article, we'll explain how Pokémon GO Raid Hour works, reveal the current featured boss, cover the complete August 2026 schedule, and explain which Raid Passes you can use to participate.
Also Read: Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global Event Guide
Article Summary
The next Raid Hour features Groudon on Wednesday, August 12, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Groudon can be Shiny when encountered after a successful raid.
Raid Hour normally takes place every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Players receive one Rare Candy XL for completing an in-person Raid Battle on Wednesday.
The standard Remote Raid limit is 10 per day, although special events may increase or remove it temporarily.
What Is Raid Hour?
Raid Hour is a recurring Pokémon GO feature during which the scheduled five-star Raid Boss appears at many more Gyms than usual. This creates more opportunities to battle the featured Pokémon, collect Candy, earn raid rewards, and search for its Shiny form when one is available.
Niantic first tested the concept in March 2019 under the name Legendary Lunch Hour. The original event took place around midday, but the schedule was moved to the evening shortly afterward. The feature eventually adopted the Raid Hour name and settled into its familiar Wednesday evening slot.
Most Raid Hours feature one five-star Raid Boss, but some rotations include multiple Pokémon. For example, the August 5 Raid Hour featured Uxie, Mesprit, or Azelf depending on the player’s region, while the August 26 event will feature Regirock, Regice, and Registeel simultaneously. Standard Raid Hours focus on five-star bosses, while Mega Raid Hours are scheduled separately.
How the Raid Hour Schedule Works
Under normal circumstances, Raid Hour takes place every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Because the event follows local time, it begins at 6:00 p.m. in each player’s own time zone rather than launching globally at the same moment.
Special events can occasionally alter this format by introducing additional Raid Hours, featuring several bosses, or extending raid availability beyond the usual Wednesday slot. However, an overlapping event does not automatically cancel or move the standard Raid Hour. Always check the announced schedule rather than assuming that every major event changes it.
During the current Forever Forward Season, players receive one Rare Candy XL for completing an in-person Raid Battle on Wednesday. This bonus remains active from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. local time, so it can be earned outside the 6:00–7:00 p.m. Raid Hour as well.
Also Read: How to Beat Gigantamax Meowth in Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO Raid Pass for Cheap
Current Pokemon GO Raid Hour Boss
The next Raid Hour features Groudon on Wednesday, August 12, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Groudon will appear more frequently in five-star raids at Gyms throughout the hour. Its Shiny form is available, giving players another opportunity to hunt for Shiny Groudon while collecting Groudon Candy and Candy XL..
Date | Featured Raid Hour Boss |
|---|---|
August 5, 2026 | Uxie in Asia-Pacific, Mesprit in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India, and Azelf in the Americas and Greenland |
August 12, 2026 | Groudon |
August 19, 2026 | Lunala |
August 26, 2026 | Regirock, Regice, and Registeel |
Each August Raid Hour runs from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Mega Raid rotations occur separately and are not automatically featured during standard Raid Hour.
How to Join a Raid
Joining a Raid Battle requires a Raid Pass. Three pass types are commonly used for standard raids, with each offering a different way to enter a battle.
Raid Pass (Orange): Obtained for free by spinning a Gym’s Photo Disc. Players can receive one per day and normally hold only one free Raid Pass at a time. It must be used for an in-person raid.
Premium Battle Pass (Green): Purchased from the in-game shop for 100 PokéCoins or obtained through selected rewards. It can be used for additional in-person raids or to unlock the premium reward track in GO Battle League.
Remote Raid Pass (Blue): Costs 195 PokéCoins individually or 525 PokéCoins for three. It allows players to join eligible raids remotely through the Nearby screen or an invitation from another Trainer.
Niantic introduced Remote Raid Passes in April 2020, initially without a daily participation limit. A five-raid daily cap was introduced in April 2023 alongside increased prices. The standard limit was raised to 10 Remote Raids per day in May 2025, although special events can temporarily increase or remove this limit.
Players can normally hold up to three Remote Raid Passes. However, purchasing a three-pass bundle while holding two passes can temporarily increase the inventory total to five. Pokémon used by remote participants also deal less damage than those used by Trainers attending the raid in person.
Also Read: Rarest Shinies in Pokemon GO: Complete List
FAQs About Pokemon GO Raid Hour
Q: What time is Raid Hour this week?
A: The next Raid Hour takes place on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Q: What boss is featured in Raid Hour this week?
A: Groudon is the featured five-star Raid Boss for the August 12 Raid Hour. Shiny Groudon can be encountered after successfully completing the raid.
Q: Is Raid Hour always on Wednesdays?
A: Raid Hour normally takes place every Wednesday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Special events can occasionally add extra Raid Hours or modify the usual format.
Q: How do I join a raid remotely?
A: Use a Remote Raid Pass to join an eligible raid through the Nearby menu or an invitation from another Trainer. Players can normally complete up to 10 Remote Raids per day and hold three Remote Raid Passes, although certain purchases and events can temporarily increase these limits.
Q: Does Pokemon GO Raid Hour have a bonus?
A: Yes. During the current season, players receive one Rare Candy XL for completing an in-person Raid Battle on Wednesday. This bonus is available throughout the entire day, not only during Raid Hour.
Final Words
Pokémon GO Raid Hour remains one of the easiest ways to battle a specific five-star Raid Boss repeatedly. There is no Raid Hour today, Tuesday, August 11, but Groudon will take over Gyms on Wednesday, August 12, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Remember that Raid Hour increases the appearance of the featured boss without necessarily removing every other raid from the map. Prepare your counters in advance, save the appropriate Raid Passes, and prioritize in-person raids if you want to receive Wednesday’s Rare Candy XL bonus.
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