•Kristina Horvat• 8 min read
Pokemon GO
Pokemon GO Raid Hour Today: Current Bosses and Schedule
Last Updated: September 21, 2026 – September 23 Ultra Beast Raid Hour Added
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.
There is no Pokémon GO Raid Hour today, Monday, September 21. The next Raid Hour takes place on Wednesday, September 23, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time and features a different Ultra Beast depending on the player’s region.
Xurkitree will appear in Asia-Pacific, Buzzwole in the Americas and Greenland, and Pheromosa in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. In this article, we’ll explain how Pokémon GO Raid Hour works, cover the complete September 2026 schedule, and explain which Raid Passes you can use to participate.
Pokemon GO Raid Hour Summary
The next Pokémon GO Raid Hour takes place on September 23 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time, featuring Xurkitree, Buzzwole, or Pheromosa depending on the region
Raid Hour normally takes place every Wednesday and increases the number of five-star raids appearing at Gyms
The remaining September bosses are region-specific Ultra Beasts on September 23 and Xerneas on September 30
During the Twilight Trails Season, 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 temporarily increase or remove it
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. 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
The next Pokémon GO Raid Hour takes place on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time. The featured five-star Raid Boss depends on the player’s region.
Xurkitree will appear in Asia-Pacific, Buzzwole in the Americas and Greenland, and Pheromosa in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India. The final September Raid Hour will feature Xerneas on September 30.
Date | Featured Raid Hour Boss |
|---|---|
September 16, 2026 | Hero of Many Battles Zamazenta |
September 23, 2026 | Xurkitree in Asia-Pacific, Buzzwole in the Americas and Greenland, Pheromosa in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India |
September 30, 2026 | Xerneas |
Standard September Raid Hours run from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time unless otherwise announced.
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 Pokemon GO Raid Hour
Final Words
The next Pokémon GO Raid Hour takes place on September 23 from 6:00–7:00 p.m. local time, featuring Xurkitree, Buzzwole, or Pheromosa depending on the region. More five-star raids will appear at Gyms throughout the hour, providing additional opportunities to battle the featured Ultra Beast and collect Candy.
Players in Asia-Pacific should prepare strong Ground-type counters for Xurkitree. Trainers facing Buzzwole or Pheromosa should prioritize Flying-type attackers because both Ultra Beasts are especially vulnerable to Flying-type moves. The final September Raid Hour will feature Xerneas on September 30.
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