•Kristina Horvat• 8 min read
Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO Raid Hour Today: Current Bosses and Schedule
Last Updated: October 18, 2026 – Upcoming Raid Hours updated.
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.
The next Pokémon GO Raid Hour features Palkia on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. Palkia will appear more frequently in five-star raids at eligible Gyms during that hour. Prepare your team and Raid Passes ahead of time if you plan to complete several battles.
Pokémon GO Raid Hour Summary
Palkia headlines the next Raid Hour on October 21, 2026
Origin Forme Giratina follows on October 28
Both events run from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time
Raid Hour increases the number of featured five-star raids at eligible Gyms
Use a Raid Pass or Premium Battle Pass for in-person battles, or a Remote Raid Pass for eligible remote raids
Prepare a battle party with attacks that target the featured boss’s weaknesses
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.
Most Raid Hours feature one five-star Raid Boss, but some rotations include multiple Pokémon. The August 26 Raid Hour, for example, featured Regirock, Regice, and Registeel simultaneously. Standard Raid Hours normally focus on five-star bosses, although major events can temporarily replace the usual weekly schedule with special raid rotations.
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 or replace the usual Raid Hour schedule. Always check the current monthly schedule before using a Raid Pass, especially during major events such as Pokémon GO Fest.
During the Twilight Trails Season, players receive one Rare Candy XL for completing an in-person Raid Battle on Wednesday. This Daily Discovery bonus applies throughout Wednesday rather than only during the 6:00–7:00 p.m. Raid Hour.
Pokemon GO Raid Pass for Cheap
Current Pokemon GO Raid Hour Boss
Palkia is the next featured Raid Hour boss, appearing on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. You may encounter its Shiny form after a successful raid. Bring Pokémon with strong Dragon- or Fairy-type attacks to target Palkia’s weaknesses.
Two scheduled Raid Hours remain in October:
Date | Featured Raid Hour Boss |
|---|---|
October 21, 2026 | Palkia |
October 28, 2026 | Origin Forme Giratina |
Check the in-game news before heading out for any last-minute schedule changes.
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 Remote Raid participation limit is currently 10 raids per day, although special events can temporarily increase or remove this limit. For example, Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Mega Finale removed the Remote Raid limit entirely on September 5 and September 6.
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.
FAQs About Pokémon GO Raid Hour
Final Words
Palkia takes the next Raid Hour slot on October 21, followed by Origin Forme Giratina on October 28. Both run from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time.
Choose the boss you want to catch, prepare your battle party, and arrange a group before the hour starts. Having your team and passes ready leaves more time for battles.
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